Here are five other sump pump issues you’ll want to avoid.

• Blocked sump pump switch. Never sweep any basement floor dirt into the sump pit switch, and make sure nothing is blocking the sump pump switch from floating freely.
• Tripped circuit breaker. Give the sump pump its own dedicated circuit. If there are any other electronics on the same circuit, it might be too much for it and the sump pump’s activation may trip the circuit.
• Mechanical failure. There are plenty of issues that might cause your sump pump to fail including an undersized discharge pipe and a missing check valve. Whatever the cause, you should contact a professional to help you fix the problem.
• Clogged strainer. Sump pumps have a strainer at the bottom that the water flows through. If debris is clogging it, water won’t be able to flow through it properly and flooding could occur.
• Frozen discharge pipe. If the discharge pipe is frozen or otherwise blocked, water won’t be able to drain out of it. This will cause water to back up and the sump pump will run constantly but ineffectively.

If properly maintained, a sump pump can last around 10 years. If you’re not sure of your sump pump’s age, consider buying a replacement and keep a backup on hand in case it fails. Another way to protect your basement from flooding is to buy a two-pump system. It’ll assure there’s a spare pump in case one fails and has an alarm to alert homeowners in case of a failure.

Why should I trust Fix-It 24/7 with keeping my basement dry?

Fix-It 24/7 is a family-owned and operated go-to source for all of your household needs. We take our name seriously, providing scheduling and service no matter the time or day. We hold our highly-trained employees to a strict code of ethics that guarantees you will be fully satisfied with our work. Don’t wait for a flood to ruin your basement. Call us today to learn how you can keep your basement dry!