Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

It’s Winter. How’s Your Sump Pump Holding Up?

Cincinnati’s first major snowfall of the year landed today with the usual fanfare: school closings, sidewalk shoveling, and 3″-5″ inches of frozen water on the ground. For those who have sump pumps, we all know where that water will end up: under the foundation. During the next few months, take special care to ensure your pump is in good working order. Below are a few tips.

Locate the Discharge Hose and Cleanout Cap – Look along the exterior wall for the point where the discharge hose exits your home’s foundation. Keep the area clear of debris, especially if it’s below grade. Freezes can happen quickly, causing burst pipes.

Prevent Pump Motor Burn Out – Remove the discharge hose during your fall winterizing preparations. Water can freeze inside the hose, causing the pump to run continuously, which will shorten the pump’s life considerably.

Avoid Discharge Hose Freeze Up – Just like with your outside spigot, sump pump hoses can freeze up, with equally disastrous results. Watch this 5-minute video for an explanation of what to look for and how to unfreeze a frozen sump pump. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0YMt2mAQUE&feature=player_embedded. The video starts a little slow; the good stuff begins near the :55 mark.

Anti-Freeze is a No-No – Never use chemicals in the sump crock and anti-freeze in particular should be avoided at all costs. It’s a tasty, deadly temptation for house pets and small children.

Leave the pump plugged in, always. That’s the best way to ensure the pump runs when it needs to.

Additional Pump Maintenance Tips

• Fill the sump crock with water until the pump float rises and activates the pump.

• Install a sewer backflow prevention valve if sewage backup is a concern for you.

• Ensure all pump discharge water flows away from your home’s foundation.

• Install a battery backup to keep your sump working in the event of a winter weather-related power failure.

Water You Waiting For? If you are experiencing trouble with your sump pump, the experts at Allied Reddi-Rooter can either repair or replace your pump. Just like the USPS, our plumbers will travel through rain, snow, sleet and hail to get your water flowing again. Call or contact   Ray today for a free estimate. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service