Keeping Water Out Of Your Home
With all the snow melting, and the rain falling we thought it would be a good idea to talk a little bit about sump pumps, and what you can do to keep water out of your basement
Think of a sump pump as an insurance policy, an insurance policy against damage to your basement, money out of your pocket, and time away from doing things you actually enjoy.
Having a sump pump is the best and most feasible way to keep water out of your basement. Water can build up and cause property damage in many different ways. If you have a finished basement, water can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your flooring, furniture and personal belongings. Water can also cause structural damage to your foundation and other supports of your house.
If your boiler and hot water heater are in your basement, these can be damaged by prematurely rusting the equipment and thus shortening their lifespan. Water can also bring unwanted pests like insects into your home. Another very big problem that water in your basement can cause is mould; mould can be very difficult to remove from your home once it arrives, and it very negatively affects the air quality in your home.
If you have a sump pump it’s very important to ensure that it is working to the best of its ability. Here are few tips to follow:
- Check to make sure the sump pit is clear of any debris
- Test the float switch by dumping water into the pit until the pump cycles
- Make sure the float switch has clear and free movement so that it can properly switch on and off
- Check to make sure there is a good power supply to the pump
- Inspect the check valve for operation to ensure that water is passing through it
- Make sure the discharge location is clear so that the water can run away from the house
Follow these tips and you should be on the right track to keep water out of your basement.