More than 60% of American homes suffer from below-ground wetness, according to the American Society of Home Inspectors. It doesn’t take much water to cause tremendous amounts of water damage. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average water damage claim is $5,531. Most homes in Baltimore are equipped with a sump pump.
Your sump pump has probably saved you from more water damage than you realize. Your sump pump’s sole purpose is keeping your basement or crawlspace dry. Water flows into the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil, before being pumped away from your home.
Unfortunately, sometimes sump pumps fail…
Reasons Behind Sump Pump Overflow
The No. 1 reason behind sump pump overflow is an electrical outage. If it is storming and you lose power, your sump pump also loses power, which can spell disaster. You can combat this by having a battery backup system in place. This ensures your sump pump works when you need it most.
Another common problem with sump pumps is neglect. When was the last time you tested your sump pump? Does it work? It is a good idea to test your system AT LEAST annually. So put it on your spring cleaning check list, because April showers can bring more than just May flowers. They can also lead to water damage.
Additional causes behind sump pump overflow include:
A Bad Discharge Pipe: Your discharge pipe is supposed to take water safely away from your house. If it fails to do so, that water will quickly find its way back into your basement.
Stuck Float Valve: If the float valve is stuck, your sump pump will not work properly.
Failed Check Valve: If the check valve is clogged, your sump pump will not work properly as well.
Unplugged: If your sump pump is accidentally unplugged, it cannot do its job.
Dealing with Sump Pump Overflow in Baltimore
If your sump pump fails, leaving you with several inches of water in your basement, it is important to call a water damage restoration company as soon as possible. At ServiceMaster of Baltimore, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help you in your hour of need. We handle each and every flooded basement with the utmost care, speed, and effectiveness.
With over 57 years of experience in the water damage restoration business, we are the clear choice for the job!
Hopefully you have found our blog, “Dealing with a Sump Pump Overflow in Baltimore” informative and helpful. Continue to check back weekly for more helpful home improvement tips.
Sources:
How Sump Pumps Work
