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A sump pump water back up is a major catastrophe that is all too frequent in many homes in Michigan. Proper sump pump maintenance is critical to insure that it does its job to avoid this problem.

The average lifespan of a sump pump is about 10 years, and they do eventually wear out. But, most sump pump problems can be avoided by a few regular maintenance checks and can easily be fixed by the homeowner. Here’s a list of common sump pump problems and solutions for each. Before performing any sump pump maintenance, be sure to unplug any electrical power leading to the unit.

• Debris In The Sump Basin - Always check to make sure that the sump pit is free from debris. Children’s small toys and debris from items stored around the basin can get into the unit and hinder the float mechanism causing it to fail. Test the float itself since they can burn out over time. Fill the pit up with water and making sure it both starts and stops the sump pump as designed.

• Inspect The “Check” Valve - Sometimes, the check valve can be improperly installed. The check valves are set up so that when the sump pump shuts off, no water will go back into the sump pump. The check valve’s arrow should not be pointing toward the sump pump.

• Clean The Weep Hole - Some pumps will have a weep hole, usually between the sump pump and the check valve. You can clean this weep hole out with a toothpick or other tiny object. Be careful not to break anything into the weep hole.

• Clean the Impeller - This is a small filter that can become clogged. If your sump pump has stopped running, suddenly, or has been making a whining noise, this could be the problem. The impeller should be connected to the sump pump with bolts and may need a good cleaning to work properly.

• Sump Pump Odor - Typical odors are caused from the sump pump trap. The trap always retains some water, but when water doesn’t flow into the basin during the dry seasons of the year, an odor starts to form. You can eliminate the odor by using a bleach-water mixture to cleanse the basin. One part bleach to 5 parts water will work. You can also fill the basin with water until the sump pump engages to cycle the water and help with eliminating the odor.

• Install a Back-up Power Source - Purchasing a sump pump back-up power supply or a generator is a great idea to avoid overflow when you have a power outage. Most power outages are caused by heavy thunderstorm s that bring huge amounts of rain very quickly. This is when you need your sump pump most. If you lose power the back-up system will take over to get rid of the water as the basin fills up. There are also water powered back-up systems that tap into your home’s water supply to provide the energy needed to run the pump. It is good to invest in the purchase of a back-up system now rather than face the costs of a flooded basement.

“If more people would maintain their sump pumps like they do their automobile, they could save a lot of money and stress,” says Chris O’Donohue, owner of Advantage Resoration and Cleaning Services in Pinckney, Michigan. “A water damage restoration situation can really turn the lives of a family upside down for a few weeks. Preventing the problem by checking the condition of their sump pump should be on their spring to-do list every year.”

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