Know how a sump pump works.
Sump pumps are typically located in the lowest portion of a home or building and are designed to prevent flooding after storms and heavy rainfall. If you live in areas with frequent flooding or in a rainy area, chances are your home will already have a sump pump installed in the basement. Sump pumps are crucial to avoiding basement flooding. If the water level reaches a certain point in the pit beneath your home, the sump pump automatically turns on and pumps the water out of the pit and away from the home’s foundation.
Check for existing water damage.
If you are buying a home that already has a sump pump installed, the first thing you’ll want to do is check for existing water damage. Since water damage or flooding can be the reason a sump pump was installed in the first place, you will need to ensure that no damage has occurred. If it has, you will want to have it repaired before making any changes to the basement.
Check for Structural Damage.
Flooding is a nasty business and large amounts of water can do severe structural damage to your home. Although sump pumps can stop most of the water, holes in the structure of your home can cause leaks and lasting damage. So, even if you have a sump pump installed in your new place, it’s important to keep an eye out for this kind of damage.
Check to see if the sump pump is working properly.
Just because there is a sump pump installed, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is in working condition. Be sure to test the pump and replace it if it is not working as it should.
Sump Pump Lines can Freeze.
Just like water lines, sump pump lines can freeze if temperatures drop too low. However, this usually only happens if your sump pump lines aren’t buried at the right depth. Before moving in, contact the property owner and make sure the sump pump was installed correctly to avoid lines freezing during the winter.
Sump pumps are an essential part of keeping your home safe. It’s important to make sure your home’s sump pump is in working order; and, if not, knowing when it’s time to replace it. PumpSpy’s SmartPump® provides homes with smart technology to remotely monitor your sump pump 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – giving homes the protection it requires AND deserves. For more information about PumpSpy’s innovative smart home sump pump technologies, call 1-833-PUMPSPY.
