As the weather warms and summer thunderstorms bring heavy rainfall to Michigan, having a well-maintained sump pump is critical to protecting your basement from water intrusion. Since 1975, Tom’s Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair has helped customers across Michigan with our affordable basement waterproofing and foundation repair services. Sump pump maintenance and repair services save you money by preventing water damage from affecting your home or business. Let’s take a closer look at sump pump readiness and how you can ensure your sump pump is working as intended during Michigan’s rainy season.
What is a Sump Pump?
Sump pumps prevent water damage to your basement or crawl space by removing water accumulating in a sump basin. A sump basin is a hole dug into the lowest part of your basement floor that collects water that can make its way into your basement from flooding or heavy rainfall. Once this water accumulates in the sump basin, it triggers the sump pump, a device that safely pumps the water out of your basement, preventing water damage and flooding. Like any mechanical device, sump pumps require maintenance to ensure they work as intended when they are needed. Let’s take a closer look at how you can test your sump pump, signs it may need servicing, and the benefits of a battery backup system in case of a power outage.
Simple Steps to Test Your Sump Pump at Home for Proper Operation
At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we recommend that our customers regularly test their sump pumps during the spring and summer, as water intrusion into a basement is most likely to occur. This can easily be done at home with a five-gallon bucket of water and a flashlight. To test your sump pump, fill a five-gallon bucket of water and slowly pour it into your sump basin. As the water level rises, it should activate the sump pump’s float switch, and you should hear the sump pump turn on and begin pumping water out of the basin. Once the water has been removed from the sump basin, you should listen to the pump turn off. If your sump pump fails to remove the water from the basin or doesn’t turn off after removing the water, contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing today for a sump pump inspection and servicing.
Signs Your Sump Pump Needs Repair or Replacement
Besides the obvious signs of a sump pump failing to remove water from the basin or turning off after the water has been removed, there are other signs of sump pump problems to watch for. These can include:
- Grinding or rattling sounds
- Excessive vibration
- Visible rust and corrosion
- Slowly removing water from the basin
We recommend the installation of a backup battery system in case of a power outage for sump pumps connected to city power.
Benefits of a Backup Power Source
The State of Michigan is ranked number two in the nation for power outages, often caused by spring and summer storms. When a power outage strikes alongside a storm, it can spell disaster for a sump pump without a battery backup system. Battery backup systems ensure that your sump pump remains working during a power outage, keeping your basement from flooding. We can help you with our affordable backup battery sump pump power source installation services at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing.
Keep Your Sump Pump Ready for Spring and Summer Weather With Tom’s Basement Waterproofing
To keep your sump pump working year-round and get help with sump pump replacement and repair, contact Tom’s Basement Waterproofing today at (586) 949-7826. We proudly serve our community as a local family-owned and operated basement waterproofing and foundation repair provider.