Basements in Huntsville homes are at a high risk of flooding due to the city’s close proximity to the Tennessee River and the regular precipitation that occurs in the area. On average, Huntsville receives 56 inches of precipitation yearly, considerably more than the national average of 38 inches. Many homes use a sump pump to prevent flooding and other water-damage disasters, although the machine itself can endure problems that prevent it from properly removing water. Use the following tips to prevent issues that occur due to broken sump pumps.  

Perform Regular Maintenance

Keeping your sump pump in good working order requires effort from homeowners. Regular maintenance is key to keeping the sump pump working correctly. To perform maintenance on your sump pump, clean the sump pit and intake screen to prevent dirt and debris. Check the float switch regularly as well to ensure it is moving freely.  

Test the Sump Pump

Test your sump pump regularly to ensure that it is working properly. To test the sump pump, pour water into the sump pit to check if it automatically starts and drains water efficiently.  

Install a Check Valve

A check valve can prevent water from flowing back into the sump pit in the case of a malfunction. This can cause your sump pump to wear out faster and require unnecessary repairs. Consider installing this valve on your sump pump.  

Professional Inspection

The absolute best way to keep your sump pump in good working order is through professional intervention. Annual inspections performed by professionals identify and correct potential issues before they cause headaches and expensive repairs. Southern Crawl Space offers moisture control services, including basement and crawlspace waterproofing, drainage system installation, and vapor barrier installation. SCS guarantees to fix your moisture issues permanently. Our trained team of technicians utilizes only the best solutions for your basement or crawlspace. We are proud to offer LumberKote™ and MaxxBarrier™ waterproofing sealers by WatsonSeal. We are Alabama’s ONLY Watson Seal Authorized Dealer. If you have a service request, give us a call. We will happily provide a free inspection and service estimate.