1 min read

Pump Up Your Sump Pump Maintenance

Feb 14, 2012 10:30:00 AM

Do you ever think about your sump pump?

If you’re like me, probably not. It’s one of those appliances most people install and then forget about. The expectation is that it’ll be there to handle its job when needed.

Its job, of course, is to remove excess water from the basement.

However sump pumps, just like everything else, can’t do the job without proper maintenance. Here are some quarterly and annual maintenance tips to consider performing on your sump pump.

Every three months you should:

  • Clean the pump inlet screen.
  • Check the power cord and make sure the cord is connected to power.
  • Pour a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on, adjusting the float if required.

At least once per year you should:

  • Remove the pump from the sump to inspect and clean it.
  • Clean out the sump.
  • Check the owner’s manual to see if the pump bearings require grease or oil. If you do not have the manual, look it up on the Internet using the manufacturer and model number of the pump. Otherwise, contact the manufacturer to get a replacement copy.
  • Replace the pump in the sump.
  • Check the electrical cord and make sure the cord is connected to power.
  • Pour a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on, adjusting the float if required.

A little time invested now will help your sump pump do the job that it was designed to do later should excess water become a problem for your home.

New Call-to-action

Gibson

Written by Gibson

Gibson is a team of risk management and employee benefits professionals with a passion for helping leaders look beyond what others see and get to the proactive side of insurance. As an employee-owned company, Gibson is driven by close relationships with their clients, employees, and the communities they serve. The first Gibson office opened in 1933 in Northern Indiana, and as the company’s reach grew, so did their team. Today, Gibson serves clients across the country from offices in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Utah.