Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by Kravelv
Keep your basement dry all the time and you will not have to worry about the possible damage from excess water. The area with heavy rains, severe weather conditions, river flooding, and dramatic storms demands special attention from homeowners to their property. If your house is located in such an area, think about the sump pump installation.
This effective appliance helps remove any excess water from crawlspaces, basements, and foundation walls and draw it away from the house. A sump pump is the most popular basement waterproofing system in Toronto. Its installation is not so complicated and disruptive as it may seem. Once installed, it will help your basement to stay dry in any kind of severe weather and other emergency conditions!
However, your sump pump will need maintenance and constant monitoring. You have to always check whether it remains in good working order.
Fill the system with water
To check the reliability of the sump pump’s performance, pour some water into the sump pit. The amount of it should push up the float to make the pump start. If the water reaches the top, it means that the pump has failed to start. The problem can be caused by a broken or inefficient switch. The normal pump’s working can be seen when the water level starts to decrease and in a while, the entire amount will be removed.
Try unplugging the power and switching it on again
The sump pump system has a special outlet for plugging in. You can see two plugs. One thing is for switching on the motor and the other is meant for the float. You can check whether the outlet works properly, so unplug both devices and then switch them on one after another again. The device will go immediately. If not, it needs special monitoring, or probably it should be fixed or replaced. The pump starts at once, and it means that its work is appropriate. Connect the other plug and let the appliance work as it has been doing before.
Turn off the float
Another way to check the pump is lifting the float up to observe whether it can be turned on. You may do it if, for some reason, you cannot pour the water into the pit. However, this method cannot show how effectively the pump is working. Moreover, do not examine the pump without water for a longer time than several seconds. If you run it for more, the pump motor will be damaged.
Check it regularly
Check the appliance in this way regularly and you will be always protected against the unexpected flooding in your basement. The lifespan of a typical pump reaches ten years and even more. However, it may depend on the frequency of its use and the quality of water that flows in. If the water is dirty and contains some substances or debris, the pump can break down very soon. Check the presence of debris in the older appliance or the sump pit. In this event, examine your device more frequently to clean it out. Having a backup sump pump is always a great idea for your home safety. If not, try to be pro-active and install a new device before it completely stops operating.
