Tuesday, February 17th, 2015

Sump Pumps, Snow & Spring Thaw…Get Ready for Water!

We’re writing this while looking out the window at several inches of newly fallen snow. It’s pretty. It’s cold. It’s wet. For the next few days, the snow will remain solid, but when it melts, look out. Record cold temperatures have the ground frozen like a rock; eventually all that melting snow and ice water has to go somewhere. Will it find its way into your basement?

As the thermometer slowly moves north, all this accumulated snow will eventually melt. Under normal conditions, the soil would absorb the water and no one would be the wiser. With deeply frozen ground, however, the soil is unable to absorb “melt”… is your sump pump ready for action?

A Quick Inspection is Worthwhile
If your pump has been in place for more than a year (or loud, periodic thumping noises are coming out of the basement and it’s not the children), we recommend a quick visual inspection:

1. First, unplug the sump pump to eliminate the risk of electric shock.
2. Remove the pump cover, if possible. Note: if you cannot remove the cover, call a plumber.
3. Look into the sump pit (use a flashlight for a better view). If the water in the pit has an oily appearance, it’s possible the pump is leaking coolant. Contact a reputable plumber immediately
4. Remove any foreign objects or debris that may have accumulated in the sump pit.
5. Examine the pump float and make sure it moves freely
6. Test the pump by plugging it back in and slowly pouring water into the pit until the float rises and the pump kicks on. Listen to the motor – is it running smoothly? It should not race, sputter or be overly noisy. Observe the pump until the excess water is removed from the pit.

Water You Waiting For? If you suspect your sump pump may need an official inspection or replacement, call or contact  Ray at Allied Reddi-Rooter before the spring thaw (and eventually, the spring rains).. He’ll listen, provide a free estimate, and has a trained staff that can assist on your schedule. Call today: 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