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How to Prevent a Sump Pump from Overflowing

Sump pumps are small pumps installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace, usually in a specially constructed sump pump basin. They protect your home from flooding by collecting water encroaching on your foundation and redirecting it away from your home.

While sump pumps are designed to prevent flooding, they can actually cause flooding, too. Extreme rainstorms, frozen pipes, power outages or general wear and tear can all lead to sump pump failure. No matter what’s causing the overflowing, it’s critical to stop the damage as soon as possible. Just a few inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

When your sump pump begins overflowing, you should disable the unit immediately by unplugging it from its power source. To prevent overflowing before it begins, take the following steps. Some of them you can handle yourselves, but others may require the steady hand of a professional.

1) Clean the Impeller: If your pump stops running or is making loud obnoxious noises, the impeller filter may be clogged. Check periodically to make sure the impeller isn’t clogged. If it is, just give it a good cleaning.

2) Free the Debris: Clean out any debris that has accumulated in your sump pump basin. Leaves, lint, dust can also get stuck in your sump pump, causing it to fail.

3) Test it out: If you’re unsure whether your sump pump is working, test it out. Fill the pit up with water. This should thrust the sump pump into action. If it doesn’t start (or stop) like it should, it may be broken.

4) Call the experts: As mentioned earlier, water damage can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Your sump pump is the last line of defense against an overflowing basement. Don’t mess around. If your unit is acting up, call a plumber immediately. Remember, it’s always good to get a second opinion!

If you would like to have a sump pump repaired, installed or you just want a checkup, give Levine & Sons a call at 1-888-LEVINE1!

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