Test Your Sump Pump with These Tips
You never know how much you appreciate a sump pumpA sump pump is a pump installed in a basement or crawlspace ... More until it stops working. During heavy rains, that little pump is the only thing that keeps your basement from becoming an indoor wading pool. That’s why it’s a good idea to check it twice a year, in the spring and fall, to make sure it’s ready when you need it most. Testing your sump pumpA sump pump is a pump installed in a basement or crawlspace ... More isn’t hard and only takes a few minutes. Follow these suggestions to test your sump pumpA sump pump is a pump installed in a basement or crawlspace ... More and keep it in top shape at all times.
- Find the exit pipe that drains the water from the pump outside your home. Make sure it’s draining water away from your foundation. Any water that collects around your foundation will weaken it over time. Make sure the pipe isn’t clogged with leaves, sticks and other debris.
- Locate your sump pumpA sump pump is a pump installed in a basement or crawlspace ... More, either in the basement or a crawlspace, near the foundation. Remove the lid, if it has one, and remove any debris that may have accumulated. A clogged pump will eventually ruin the motor and fail at the worst possible time.
- If your pump has a pump cord that plugs into the float cord plug, unplug both, and then plug only the pump cord into the outlet. You should hear the motor running. If you do, connect the plugs the way they were and plug the pump back in.
- Some pumps have only one plug. In that case, slowly pour about 5 gallons of water into the pump pit until the float begins to rise. The pump should kick on. Make sure all the water gets pumped out and that the pump turns off. Repeat the test to double check.
- If you can’t pour water into the pit, lift the float manually to make the pump kick on. Don’t make the motor run for more than a few seconds to prevent damage.
Have your pump serviced immediately if it malfunctions; you never know when the next heavy rainstorm will occur and you need to be ready for it.
Despite your pump’s best efforts, if you have excess water in your home or business, call the water restoration professionals. They will arrive quickly to limit the damage and begin the extraction and dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More process before moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More can begin to grow.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More content specialist with more than 12 years of experience researching, writing, and educating property owners about water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediationMold remediation is the process of identifying, removing, an... More, storm damage, and other disaster recovery topics. Since 2014, he has served as the leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com, where he has developed hundreds of in-depth service pages, educational guides, and industry-focused articles for restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals across the United States.
Through extensive research and ongoing collaboration with restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More contractors, Vince has built a strong foundation in the science, processes, and best practices behind property damage mitigation and recovery. His work helps homeowners, business owners, and property managers understand how disasters impact structures, what immediate steps to take, how professional restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More works, and how to prevent long-term structural and health risks.
Vince specializes in translating complex restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More procedures — including water extraction, structural dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More, smoke odorAn odor is a smell, often detectable by the human nose, whic... More removal, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More containment, and storm damage repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More — into clear, actionable information that empowers readers to make informed decisions during high-stress situations. His content aligns with industry standards and focuses on safety, accuracy, and practical response strategies.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Aurora University and his master’s degree from DePaul University. Since 2012, Vince has focused on SEO-driven website content, technical service pages, and educational resourcesResources include tools, personnel, equipment, and materials... More within the disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More industry.
Outside of his professional work, Vince is also a musician and performs in the Chicago, IL area.
