Cincinnati’s hilly terrain is ground-zero for hard working sump pumps. Your home’s sump pump has a very important job to do. It protects your basement from flooding when water creeps in from heavy rainfall or after a snowstorm. If it isn’t working properly, by drawing water in as it pools on the basement floor, the water can settle. This can lead to wood rot, mold and even foundation problems.

Luckily, it doesn’t take much time or effort to keep your sump pump working at its best. As long as you schedule regular maintenance from an experienced plumber and know what to do – and what not to do – for your sump pump, it will help keep your basement dry for years to come.

Take a look at our list below of sump pump do’s and don’ts. We recommend having this list handy and taking a peek at it every so often to make sure you’re doing what you need to keep your sump pump purring.

Sump Pump “Do’s”

Do hire a professional plumber to install your sump pump (Allied Reddi-Rooter). While some homeowners choose to install a sump pump they buy at the local home improvement store on their own, we do not recommend going this route. Installing a sump pump incorrectly can lead to a pump failure which can keep your home’s water at its lowest level. This, in turn, can cause major damage.

Do listen to the motor. We recommend taking time to listen to the sump pump motor on a regular basis. If it’s working properly, you should hear the motor hum and the occasional sloshing of water. If you start hearing new noises, it’s time to call the plumber.

Do install a battery backup system. Sump pumps run on electricity. But what if your power goes out during a storm and your sump pump stops working, just when you need it the most? This scenario is precisely why we recommend installing a battery backup system.

Do regularly clean the pipes. Make a point of routinely checking the drainage pipes to make sure there’s no debris that could cause a blockage. It’s important to also clean the area around the sump pump to make sure debris from the floor doesn’t get pushed into the pump during a storm.

Do schedule routine maintenance. Sump pumps are extremely reliable and durable. Still, it’s important that you have a plumbing professional check it every year to make sure it’s working properly. If it isn’t, they can make the necessary repairs to get it back up and running quickly.

Sump Pump Don’ts

Don’t flush products that aren’t biodegradable down drains. This includes paper towels, feminine hygiene products, or face wipes – no matter how “flushable” it says they are on the packaging.

Don’t pour chemicals in the sump pump. Paints, most cleaning products, floor wax and acids should never be put in the sump pump. If you try to flush these chemicals down the sump pump, they can end up in the city water supply and cause contamination.

Don’t ever try to lift the sump pump out of the ground. Or try to repair your sump pump on your own.

Don’t DIY sump pump installation. As we mentioned above, this should only be done by a licensed, experienced plumber.

Need to repair or replace your sump pump? Allied Reddi-Rooter has been Cincinnati’s sump pump experts for decades. We exclusively sell and install  Zoeller sump pumps. They are the absolute best quality product avaialable. Learn more about Allied Redd-Rooter’s sump pump services. Our Cincinnati sump pump reiar team is here to help you in your time of need.