Your Regina Sump Pump Repair and Maintenance Guide

The absolute last thing any homeowner wants is a flooded basement. Luckily, there is a clever device that helps protect your basement from flooding due to heavy rains, melting snowfall, or because your basement is built in an area with a high water table. This device is called a sump pump, and it’s the unsung hero of keeping your home safe from water damage.

Read on to discover how your sump pump protects your home and our Regina plumber's expert tips on sump pump repair and maintenance.

What is a sump pump?

A sump pump is a water pump that uses a float switch to tell it when to turn on and off. Generally, your sump pump is located in a pit beneath your basement. Should the sump pit fill up with water, the flotation device will rise up until it reaches a certain level. Then it triggers the sump pump to turn on.

The sump pump will then pump water through a pipe leading away from your home. As the water beneath your basement returns to a safe level, the float sinks back down and turns the sump pump off.

Why do you need a sump pump?

There are many reasons why it is beneficial to have a sump pump in your home:

1. Keep Your Basement or Cellar Dry. The primary purpose and benefit of a sump pump is to keep your basement from flooding. This is especially important if your home is built in an area with a high water table.

2. Prevent mildew and mold build-up. Since a sump pump is a key part of what keeps your home dry, it also prevents mold and mildew spores from growing.

3. Notify You of an Emergency. Many sump pumps have an alarm, so they can alert you when your basement’s water levels are too high. This gives you time to call in a professional plumber, like the team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Regina, before an emergency happens.

4. Increase Your Home’s Value. A sump pump in good condition adds value to your home. This is because a working sump pump keeps your basement dry, which also maintains the structural integrity of your home.

Tips for Sump Pump Repair and Maintenance

Having a sump pump in good working condition is key for preventing basement floods and upkeeping the structural integrity of your home. However—like anything else in your house—a sump pump requires regular maintenance. Discover a few ways to troubleshoot typical sump pump repair problems:

Check the Float

The float is one of the most important parts of a sump pump. To ensure your float is working properly, pour water into your sump pit. If the float rises and triggers the pump, it’s working correctly. If the float doesn’t work, try cleaning it off to see if the slime build-up is causing it to malfunction.

Clean the Sump Pit

Debris in the sump pit can block your flotation device and prevent it from triggering the sump pump if water levels rise. Cleaning out your sump pit regularly should be a part of your general home maintenance routine. Regular cleaning will also prevent the need for sump pump repairs.

Test the Check Valve

The check valve keeps water from flowing back into the sump pit after the pump has been triggered to remove water. If there is a problem with the check valve—sometimes called a one-way valve—then your sump pump will not be able to do its job correctly. If the check valve is damaged, you may need to replace it.

Clean the Impeller

The impeller is similar to a fan. It’s what pushes the water in your sump pit into the pipe and away from your home. If debris or sludge has jammed the impeller, the pump will not work correctly. Overtime, debris to the impeller could cause damage and require sump pump repair. To clean the impeller, you will have to temporarily disassemble the sump pump and remove it from the sump pit.

Check the Electrical Connections

If your sump pump is not working at all it could be a problem with the electrical connections. Ensure the pump is plugged in and that the circuit breaker has not tripped. If there are no problems with the sump pump’s electrical connections, call the team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Regina to inquire about the sump pump repair or replacement.

When to Call Mr. Rooter for Sump Pump Repair

If you can’t figure out why your sump pump isn’t working—or you don’t feel confident checking it yourself—be sure to give the courteous and skillful team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Regina a call us or request a job estimate today.