DRAINAGE DILEMMAS: Practical Tips for Homeowners
Dealing with water is a way of life for homeowners in most areas. Sometimes it’s in response to copious and consistent precipitation. Other times it’s due to excessive groundwater. Then there is the plumbing in the home, which will almost certainly fail to drain at some point. Clogged pipes, overflowing gutters, and pools of sludge in the backyard--we’ve got answers for all of your drainage dilemmas.
SUMP PUMP
pump seems to be working, but water is backing up, check for a blockage in the discharge line instead.
Water can accumulate from moisture in the basement or groundwater can seep in from around the home. The primary job of a sump pump is to divert water from the lower level of your home to the outside. If you have a sump pump, you’ll want to keep an eye on how well it’s functioning. It is typically located at the lowest point of your home, often in the basement or even below the house. The pump resides inside a pump pit, which acts as a collection point for water. The sump pump moves that water outside through a series of pipes. If it malfunctions the pump pit overflows and flooding occurs. This is a problem. If your sump pump fails, the first step is to check for a clog. Debris can fall into an uncovered pump. The pump can also suck up debris if the device rests too close to the bottom of the pit. Always ensure the bottom of the pump is elevated to avoid this. If the
In some cases, the water may be flowing out, but a faulty check valve allows it to backflow back into the pit. Replace the check valve if this happens. If the pump isn’t working at all, you may find that it’s not getting adequate power. Check the outlet, plug, and circuit breaker to identify the problem. Note that an electrically-powered sump pump won’t work during a power outage, which is the time you may need it the most. Do yourself a favor and install a battery-powered backup option for your sump pump to keep the area from flooding if the primary pump fails. A water alarm can also help by alerting you when there’s a problem.
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