Sump Pump Maintenance

Information about your basement sump pump

Sump Pump Maintenance

Sump pumps must be maintained if you want to keep it functioning for a long time. Every 4 or 5 years you should take time out to maintain your pump. If your unit has dirt, gravel, or sand clogged in it, then this will decrease the pump's life span. In some cases the obstruction can jam the pump up all together and cause it to burn out. This is the number one reason pump units fail. In order to avoid having to fix your sump pump, simply follow these maintenance steps every 4-5 years.

1. Unplug the man power to the unit and make sure the batter back up is functioning.
2. Let the sump pump run to be certain its functioning and allow it to remove all the water in the pit.
3. Unplug the unit.
4. Unscrew the pipe below the check valve and lift the sump pump out of the pit.
5. Hold a cup or other container under the check valve and press on it so that all the water comes out.
6. Take of the top of the check valve and clean it out under running water. Then reconnect the check valve.
7. Scoop out all the dirt at the bottom of the sump pit and dump the dirt outside.
8. Put the pump back in place, reconnect pipes.
9. Turn sump pump on to try testing if it works by either lifting the float or filling it with a hose.

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