Reasons for Sump Pump Failure and What You Should Do

Sump pumps are one of the most important parts of your home’s drainage system, but they also tend to be one of the most neglected ones. In fact, many homeowners don’t even know what their sump pump does or why it’s so important to have one in your basement! The truth is that sump pumps are more crucial than you might think—if your sump pump breaks, you could be left with an expensive basement flood on your hands that are tough to clean up and even harder to deal with.

Reasons for Sump Pump Failure

When it comes to sewage backup, it’s only a matter of time before you have problems. Unfortunately, you’ll also have plenty of bills as your basement floods and your sump pump struggles to handle all that water. So what can you do? Here are some reasons for sump pump failure and what you should do about them.

• Mechanical Issues: A licensed plumber in Toronto can examine your sump pump’s design to determine if there are any issues with its mechanics, which might be causing it to fail. For example, some pumps aren’t designed to handle more than a foot or two of water; in cases like these, it might be better to replace your sump pump rather than repair it. A plumber can also give you a heads up about other potential problems that could cause a failure, such as corrosion or clogs.
• Installation Problems: Though sump pumps are designed to be as foolproof as possible, there are a number of installation problems that can cause malfunction. If you’re considering installing a sump pump, make sure to get it professionally installed by a licensed plumber in Toronto; don’t try doing it yourself or using an unlicensed contractor. Also be sure that you keep proper maintenance of your home (and its pipes) throughout your home’s lifetime; otherwise, you could end up with serious water damage on your hands.

How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage?

To protect your home from water damage, it’s important to regularly check your sump pump and make sure it is functioning properly. A licensed plumber can perform an inspection of your system so you know whether or not you need a new pump, as well as make sure everything is up to code. Also, if possible, keep shrubs and foliage away from sump pumps; they are more susceptible to failure in these conditions.

Maintain Your Systems Regularly

Plumbers in Toronto say that maintenance is the key to keeping your sump pump running smoothly. Try doing a test run every week or two by turning off your home’s main water valve, checking all of your connections, then turning it back on. If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow, winter can be particularly hard on your system, so it’s important to make sure any ice that forms on exterior pipes isn’t blocking anything.