Ahh, fall. The leaves are turning, the air is crisping, and the sump pumps are humming. Yep. You heard us. The end of this summer has been quite a gully washer—and we’re sure you’ve noticed there’s no shortage of moisture on the ground. Hopefully, for you, that’s where it stays: outside, on the ground. But, if you haven’t heard the harmonic buzz of your sump pump at evenly spaced intervals that could mean trouble in your basement or crawl space. That’s why taking time to check in on your sump is a great way to save yourself from flood-induced heartache.
What the heck is a sump pump?
There are different types of sump pumps. Some are powered by your home’s electricity, some are battery operated, but the basic gist is this: The pump is installed below the floor of your basement or crawl space. When the water level surrounding it rises to a certain level it is triggered on and pumps water out before it rises too high and causes flooding. That’s a pretty basic explanation. If you want to know more, we like this video.
How do you know if it’s working?
One surefire sign that your sump is operational: the sound of it kicking on when the water level triggers. It’s a soft hum that almost sounds like the start of your washing machine’s rinse cycle. Also, depending on where your drainage hose is pointed, you should be able to see it pumping water back outside.
What if it stops pumping?
Sumps go out for a variety of reasons and can result in leaving standing water throughout the lower levels of your home. Of course, now that you’ve read this blog, we know you’ll immediately go and check your sump pump. In case you forget, and find yourself ankle-deep in standing water, be sure to give us a call so we can mitigate and restore the damage!
