Sump Pump Basics: What You Need to Know

May 29th, 2019 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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High water levels, whether from an actual flood or just heavy, seasonal precipitation, can seep into basements, causing extensive water damage. Not only can the water damage walls, floors, furniture and other items in your basement, your also at risk for foundation damage and dangerous mold growth. Sump pumps are the protective gear to keep water away from your home and pump away water when levels become too high. Here are the basics on sump pumps and how they can protect your home.

How Sump Pumps Work

A sump pump is a powered pump that empties the sump in your basement. When water collects around your home, it is directed to the sump, a pit in the subfloor. When the water in the pit rises to a predetermined level, the sum pump is activated, pumping the water up and away from the home.

Sump pumps use floats like a toilet tank, except instead of closing the water inlet when it is full, the float activates the pump and draining system. This is an automated system that works only when it is needed. The water is pumped out, either to a drainage area or a city storm drain. This keeps the sump from overflowing, and leaves room for water to flow into the sump pit when it collects around your basement walls or foundation.

Sump pumps can protect your home from extensive damage and are well worth the investment. However, they do need periodical maintenance to ensure they continue to work correctly when needed. Your local septic or sewer service is the place to call to have a sump pump installed or for routine maintenance and repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Keeping Up with Sump Pump Maintenance

April 8th, 2019 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Your sump pump is a vital component to keeping your home and basement dry, removing excess water from around the foundation to prevent water and mold damage to your home. You need to know that it is working 24/7 and will turn on when needed to pump water out and away from your home. The best way to ensure your sump pump is working correctly is to performed routine maintenance and inspections through the year, especially before and during the wet months. Here is a quick checklist on what to look for to ensure your sump pump is working properly.

  • Fill basin with water and make sure pump turns on and begins pumping the water out
  • Make sure the pump is upright and level, with the float working correctly
  • Remove the pump from the basin and clean the grate on the bottom of the pump
  • Clean the pump screen or inlet
  • Inspect the cord and connected plumbing for any problems – look for wear and tear, leaks or other issues that may need repair
  • Remove any debris from the basin or outlets

Before you clean screens or do any maintenance on the pump unit, make sure to unplug it first to avoid any risk of electrical shock. You should check your sump pump at least four times a year to ensure it is in the proper position, clear of any debris and is turning on when the water gets to the designated level.

If you inspected your sump pump and there are any problems, contact your local sewer/plumbing service. Most offer sump pump repair or replacement services to keep your sump pump working year-round.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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How to Tell if your Sump Pump Needs Repair

November 5th, 2018 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Ironically, sump pumps are put in to prevent a flooding emergency, but they can sometimes cause the emergency. Since sump pumps are not necessarily used year-round, they can be easily forgotten when it comes to maintenance and repair. However, if your sump pump does not work when it is needed, you could be in for a flooded basement that can cost you plenty in damage and repairs, both on the sump pump and your home. Here are some tips to keep your sump pump maintained and how to know when it needs a repair.

  • Beware of bad odors. A bad odor coming from your basement may be sign that your sump pump repair. Check your sump pump – if the odor is especially bad in that area, you need to call your sewer/septic plumber for an inspection and possible repair.
  • Flooding. Obviously if your basement has any flooding, your sump pump may not be working correctly. Call your local sewer plumber for a repair.
  • Strange noises. If the sump pump is making more noise than usual or sounds like it is struggling, it is time for a service. It may just need a little tune-up on the motor or other regular maintenance, but it is better to be proactive and get it serviced before it quits running altogether or needs an emergency repair.
  • Keep your sump pump maintained. Schedule regular service for your sump pump, especially before the wettest seasons of the year.

Don’t wait for your sump pump to breakdown. Watch for signs that it needs repair and have regular maintenance performed to prevent sump pump emergencies. Talk to your local sewer/septic plumber about scheduling your next inspection or maintenance service.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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How to Tell if your Sump Pump Needs Repair

September 24th, 2018 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Your sump pump can work tirelessly year-round, kicking on when needed to keep the water level around your basement low to avoid flooding. However, like any mechanical equipment, it will not last forever. The last thing you want is for your sump pump to fail when you need it the most, causing flooding in your basement. In most cases, there are signs that your sump pump is struggling before it quits altogether. Here are signs to watch for to get it repaired or replaced before it leads to water damage in your home.

  • Abnormal sounds. In most cases, sump pumps are quiet and don’t make much noise. When you start hearing your sump pump turn on, getting louder or making strange sounds like grinding or rattling, you should get it inspected.
  • Running longer. It is normal for your sump pump to turn on more often when there is heavy precipitation, but it should not be continuously running. If it is running for longer periods or seems to rarely turn off, something may be wrong, even if it is still removing water.
  • Odors. If your basement has a foul odor, especially near the sump pump, there may be something amiss.
  • Water intrusion. The last sign is the most obvious – water intrusion into your basement. Even if the sump pump is still working, it is not working efficiently enough to stop flooding.

If you have any of these signs, call your local plumber or sewer service company to have your sump pump inspected and serviced. It may just need routine service or could need a repair or replacement. It is less expensive to proactively repair the pump than to pay for repairing water damage, so it is worth the money to pay for a professional repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Sump and Ejector Pump Maintenance

August 9th, 2018 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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If you have a sump or ejector pump in your home, you rely on it to work as needed without fail. Sump pumps need to turn on when water levels rise and ejector pumps should be managing the flow of sewage up to the main sewer line. To ensure your pumps are working properly, regular maintenance and inspections are required. While you may not have the skills to maintain the motors of these pumps, you can perform regular inspections to ensure they are doing their jobs. Here are a few things to check.

  • Inspect the cover to ensure it is secure and tight; this cover should be child-proof for safety. Look for any issues with the seal or cracks in the cover.
  • Check for any evidence of leaks or overflows. If there was a backup or overflow, you may see water stains, smell odor or see particles left from the overflow.
  • Look for any damage to the reservoir basin like cracks, holes or other issues. The lid should fit tightly and the basin should not show any signs of leakage.
  • Check the basin for any debris. Large chunks of wood, fabric or other debris can clog the pump and cause a backup.
  • Inspect to make sure there are no exposed wires or openings to the tank or pumping chamber that need repair.

Doing regular inspections of your pumps can alert you if there is a problem so you can have it fixed before it causes a backup. In addition, schedule annual tune-ups and service for your pumps by a qualified sewer service to keep your equipment in good working order to prevent failure.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Sump Pump Service and Maintenance Tips

April 2nd, 2018 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Your sump pump keeps the excess water from entering your home, preventing thousands of dollars in damage and other problems. It quietly does its job, especially through the wettest months of the year. However, you don’t want to become complacent when it comes to your sump pump. Like any piece of equipment, it needs maintenance, occasional repairs and eventually replacement when it no longer can do the job. Here are some tips to keep your sump pump running smoothly and to avoid a sump pump failure.

  • Do a visual inspection of the pit. Even if you don’t know much about sump pumps, you can look to see if there is anything in the pit that shouldn’t be there. Take the cover off your sump pump pit and check to see if there are any rocks or debris accumulated. Remove any solid objects – these can cause clogs.
  • Check hoses and float. Make sure the hoses are securely connected and the float can move up and down. Small issues can cause big problems, and these are two of the most common.
  • Do a test run. Get a bucket of water and add it to your pit. This should trigger your sump pump so you can see if it is working correctly. Make sure the water is pumped out – check to make sure it comes out from the drain outside, which should be directed away from your home.

If anything does not look or work right, call your sewer expert that handles sump pump repairs and maintenance. Or, if you don’t have time to do a quick inspection yourself, schedule a service on your sump pump to give you peace of mind that your equipment is maintained and in good condition for the months to come.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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