If you have the room, a finished basement is a great place to set up an entertainment room, playroom, home office, extra bedroom or even a gym. Between the costs of installing walls and flooring, and then furnishing the rooms, a basement can cost a pretty penny to build out and be a big hassle to repair in the event of a flood due to a sump pump that needs repair, is older, or is disabled due to an obstruction that has fallen in the sump pit.
When your basement pump fails and ground water rises to cover the floor and damages the sheetrock and baseboard trim, everything that was touched by the water will need to be ripped up and torn out to prevent mold growth.
Test the sump pump to ensure it’s in good operating order.
Sump pumps have a lifespan of anywhere from 5-10 years depending on how frequently they are used and if they’re in good working order. Often the first sign they have failed is when it’s too late and water is covering the floor. That’s why it’s a good idea to test the sump pump every now and then to make sure that it’s operating properly. To test it, pour buckets of water into the sump pit to the point where the float rises high enough to engage the engine. Also, visually inspect the sump pit to make sure nothing has fallen into it which can obstruct the operation of the float arm. Anything like a toy or ball, or some other foreign object, can be enough to cause a float arm to fail to rise and start pumping water out of the basement.
If the pump isn’t properly positioned, sometimes the sheer force of the pump turning on can make it shift in the pit little by little until the float eventually works its way closer to the side of the pit wall. If you find this happening give Stashluk a call and we can inspect the pump and offer the option of a professional installation which will help keep the pump where it belongs so that it doesn’t move around.
Strange sounds from your basement sump pump could portend trouble.
If you hear grinding or screeching call Stashluk to have the pump inspected and either repaired or replaced. the home. Any other sound could be a sign of damaged parts such as bent impeller blades, bearings, or other worn parts. Some problems can be repaired with replacement parts but if you have a bent impeller you can pretty much kiss the old pump good-bye.
The same goes for a vibrating sump pump, which could be a sign that the impeller blade is damaged and is causing the machine to go out of balance. Call Stashluk and we’ll come out and set you up with a new submersible or pedestal pump.
A sump pump that is overworked won’t last long.
Obviously, if the sump pump is running all of the time it’s not going to last as long as a pump that works less frequently. Check inside the sump pit and make sure there’s nothing preventing the float arm from dropping all the way down. Again, this could be anything from a toy in the pit to the pump sitting too close to the side wall.
Which is better: a submersible sump pump or a pedestal sump pump?
Submersible pumps are more popular then pedestal pumps. They offer greater pumping power and are a better choice for areas where basement water is more of a problem. If your basement is finished living space and you want a pump that operates more quietly a submersible is the way to go. If aesthetics are not a concern, however, a pedestal pump might be good fit. They will typically last longer because the pump motor is not submerged in water. On the flip side, this feature makes them louder because the motor is exposed and not deafened by being submerged in water.
The best way to be sure you’re getting the right pump is to call Stashluk and let us take a look at the sump pump set up. We can help you make the right choice between submersible and pedestal and we’ll install it properly so that it operates to manufacturer specifications.
A backup non-electric sump pump provides extra peace of mind.
If you have a single sump pump, a strong storm can fill your basement with water quickly if the power goes out. That’s why it’s highly recommended to have a solid Plan B — i.e., a non-electric sump pump such as a water-fed backup system or a battery-powered backup.
Water-powered systems are more reliable because they’ll keep pumping water even if no one is home and available to connect auxiliary power. A battery-powered backup will do the job as well but only as long as the battery keeps a charge. If no one is home when the power goes out, all of the preparation made to keep the basement dry can go down the drain within hours if the power doesn’t return quickly. And if recent history is any indication, the likelihood that local utilities will restore power within hours during a severe storm is highly unlikely, that’s why having a non-electric sump pump backup is so important.
For the absolute best solution, nothing helps a homeowner sleep easier than having a whole house standby generator which can kick on within seconds of the power going out. It will provide power to the sump pump as well as everything else in the home and keep it running until power is restored. Stashluk sells and services leading brands such as Generac, Honeywell and others.
Prevent a flooded basement, give Stashluk a call for sump pump installation.
Clearing out a basement after a flooding event is not only expensive, it can be a dirty job. The good news is: Stashluk can inspect the old sump pump and make sure it’s in top working order. We can also install non-electric sump pump backups such as water-fed and battery operated. To schedule an inspection today, or to replace an older pump, give Stashluk a call at 908.277.6200.
