Your Old Sump Pump Left You With A Soggy Basement — What's Next?
Your sump pump has one job: keep your basement dry, no matter how wet and rainy the outside world becomes. Unfortunately, sump pumps don't last forever. A typical sump pump may last for around a decade with proper maintenance, but failure is inevitable. A poorly maintained pump or one used frequently will likely fail even sooner.
In a worst-case scenario, a sump pump may fail before heavy rainfall, leaving you with a soggy basement. If you recently experienced this unfortunate situation, you're probably wondering what you should do next and how to prevent a flood from occurring again. These three steps will help you keep your basement dry during the next storm and for many years to come.
Step 1: Evaluate Why Your Basement Flooded
Once you've cleaned up the water from your basement and dealt with any potential long-term water damage, you'll next need to determine why your basement flooded in the first place. If you already have a sump pump system installed, there are generally two potential underlying issues:
- Your sump pump is old and failed
- Your current sump pump system doesn't meet your needs
You can check for the first possibility by testing your sump pump. If you aren't comfortable performing this procedure, a professional plumber can help determine if your sump pump works correctly. In cases where your sump pump appears to be operating correctly, you may need to upgrade your system to deal with future floods.
Step 2: Develop a Plan of Action
If your old sump pump is dead, the solution is usually relatively simple: select and install a new one. Your plumber can help you determine the best fit for your needs, although choosing a pump with similar capacity and power to your old one is often sufficient. On the other hand, you may need to take additional steps if your basement floods, even with a working sump pump.
In these cases, you should work with a professional to determine why your system is inadequate. Several possibilities exist, including improper sloping, an underpowered pump, or a lack of proper backups. Installing a second pump is often a good option, although you may also want to consider a battery backup if your system fails during a power outage.
Step 3: Work With a Professional
Once you have a plan, you should consider working with a professional plumber to install your replacement pump or upgrade your home's sump pump system. While installing a sump pump isn't necessarily difficult, small problems can potentially lead to failures when you need the pump the most. Since you want to avoid future flood damage, saving a few bucks with a DIY install is unlikely to pay off.
Instead, a professional can help ensure you select the correct equipment for your home and install it correctly. This approach ensures your sump pump system will last for as long as possible, preventing your home from suffering another basement flooding in the future.
For more info about residential sump pump system installation, contact a local company.