Sump pumps are designed to be submerged underwater to function effectively. However, sump pumps can also be overwhelmed by excessive amounts of water from melting snow and rain. If your sump pump is not able to handle the influx of water, it can fail and cause flooding in your home. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this problem.
Sump Pumps And Water Flow
A sump pump is a device that pumps water from below the surface to your home’s drainage system. The purpose of it is to remove excess groundwater before flooding your basement or other low points on the property.
A sump pump can handle quite a lot of water, but not necessarily all at once. It will take time to pump the water out of the basin. sump pumps are made to handle set flows of water for given periods of time. This is why you see sump pumps with different horsepower ratings and gallon per hour pumping capacities.
For example, a sump pump with a 1/3 horsepower motor can typically move about 48 gallons of water every several minutes. So, in an hour, the sump pump can remove upwards of 1000+ gallons of water from an area.
Melting Snow Can Cause Property Flooding
As winter draws to a close and the snow melts, many homeowners may find it difficult to keep their basements dry. The spring thaw may cause catastrophic water damage to your property if you don’t have the correct sump pump in place. You should properly test your system ahead of the warmer weather to verify it is up to the job of managing melting snow and rain. Doing so now might save you money on future repair and replacement requests!
Making Sure Your Sump Pump Can Handle Melting Snow & Ice
Before the snow and ice begin to melt, check to see whether your sump pump can manage the additional water flow into your basement. Following the procedures below, homeowners may test their system to verify it is fully functional:
- First, find the exterior pipe that collects the water that drains from the pump. Make sure there are no blockages within the pipe, such as dirt or debris, that might clog the drain. This is especially vital after a snowstorm.
- Fill a five-gallon bucket or a big pot halfway with water. Slowly pour the water into the sump pit, keeping an eye on the water level.
- Step three: Before the water reaches the top of the pit, the float on the sump should rise, causing the pump to activate. The system should be turned off when the pit empties.
- Step Four: If the float does not rise or the pump does not switch on/off automatically, a specialist should check it further.
Make Sure Your Sump Pump Is Plugged In
Make sure your device is hooked into a working outlet at all times. In addition to assessing the system’s operation, homeowners should follow a weekly checklist to ensure that the following items are observed:
- Determine why some portions of your house are melting quicker than others.
- Check to see whether the gutters on your roof flow into the ground around your foundation.
- Determine if any puddles have formed in pathways or roads, and whether or not they have vanished overnight.
- Check the basement for standing water on a regular basis (at least every other day)
When Do You Need To Hire A Professional Plumber?
When the snow melts, it’s not unusual for a sump pump to stop operating completely. This is due to the fact that when temperatures dip below freezing at night, snow frequently refreezes, causing the sump pump drain lines to freeze as well. The device will be unable to remove the water from your basement if this occurs.
If you’ve checked your sump pump and looked for obstructions but are still having problems, you should call a plumber for help. You may need the installation of a backup system or battery, or you may be dealing with a more significant underlying plumbing issue.
Furthermore, if your sump pump is more than six years old, you’ll most likely need to replace it before the yearly thaw. Water systems that are more than six years old are more likely to fail, causing water to pool and cause havoc in your house.
Contact A Plumber For Sump Pump Help
A plumber can provide the end-to-end sump pump servicing solutions you need to keep water damage at bay, whether your sump pump requires repair, replacement, or periodic maintenance. A plumber can also verify that your property has the flood protection system it needs to avoid expensive damage.
The “can a sump pump run every minute?” is a question that has been asked many times. The answer to this question is yes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cold weather affect the sump pump?
A: Yes. A sump pump can freeze if the temperature drops far enough. Please contact a plumber who can assist you in this matter.
Do sump pumps have thermal protection?
A: Yes, sump pumps come with thermal protection.
Can a sump pump be outside in winter?
A: Yes, sump pumps can be left outside in winter.
A sump pump needs to be ready to run when you need it. You can learn how to keep your sump pump operational in Is Your Sump Pump Ready For Rain?
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