Are you worried about basement flooding? Learn how a sump pump can help with water damage restoration.
Basement flooding can be disastrous for finished basements containing expensive entertaining equipment such as pool tables, theater screens, home office furniture, bar fixtures etc. Even if your basement is unfinished, you need to find a solution to prevent moisture and mold issues arising from basement flooding.
One effective tactic to prevent basement flooding is to install sump pumps to areas vulnerable to water damage. When water leaking through the walls or seeping beneath the foundation accumulates in the basin, a sump pump will automatically become active and pump the water behind the house or some other discharge point outside the home.
Yet, sump pumps aren’t that straightforward. Various problems can cause them to fail. When that happens, your basement will get filled with water. Here are some common causes of failure
- Debris or mud can clog the pump and block the water intake screen
- Disconnected or stuck float switch
- Broken components such as drive shaft, float switch, or impeller
- Power outages that occur during storms or floods
- Burntmotor due to overuse
- Frozen water in the discharge pipe, impairing the sump pump’s ability to discharge water
- Ablown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker
Tips to Remember When Using Sump Pumps
Proper Discharge
When using a sump pump, keep an eye on the discharge pipe. Make sure that the outdoor part of the pipe slants downward and is long enough to discharge the water far away from your home. This ensures that water doesn’t re-enter the basement.
Downward orientation of the pipe should ensure that water fully drains when pumped outside. Otherwise, the water inside the pipe can freeze in winters, creating problems for the sump pump.
Testing Your Sump Pump
When a sump pump doesn’t work for months, it can easily malfunction. You may not even realize this before it’s too late. To avoid this, test the system twice a year.
Start by eliminating any object from the basin that might clog the pump. Next, pour 5 gallons of water into the basin. The pump should automatically actuate, empty the basin, and turn off. If it doesn’t work this way, something is probably wrong with it. Get the issue resolved before the monsoon season starts.
Power Supply
Storms that result in basement flooding often causes power outages too. In a situation like this, a sump pump that relies on AC power alone can put you in serious trouble.
Therefore, it’s advised to install a sump pump that includes a DC battery backup feature so that the unit actuates even if the grid is down.
In summary, sump pumps are a great solution to prevent basement flooding. However, it’s not easy to use one. If, for some reason, your basement gets flooded, you can call professional help to restore any water damages and get rid of the water.
For emergency water damage remediation, contact S.T.O.P Louisville.
