by Jason Kolenda at Shutterstock
When torrential downpours are beating against your home, the only saving grace you have to avoid serious water damage is a functional sump pump. What if your system fails? In such an event, the rising water will plague your home’s foundation, crawlspace, and lead to mold growth in dark corners and crevices.
The answer is simple. Take precautions now to ensure your sump pump is in working order year-round.
What Happens Without a Working Sump Pump?
Without a working sump pump, the excess water from a serious storm will begin to accumulate at the lowest point in your home. That point may be the foundation, crawlspace or basement. No matter where the water settles, it will begin to warp wood, cause rot and lead to mold growth.
On occasion, your sump pump may fail if you lose power to the home. For that, you have solutions such as a backup battery, secondary generator or even a backup sump pump. Which one you choose depends on your environment. If you endure constant rainfall, then perhaps a second sump pump would do you wonders.
What Are the Signs of a Potential Sump Pump Failure?
- Age — A sump pump is designed to last about 10 years, on average, before it begins to fail. If age is a concern, it may be time to schedule a sump pump replacement.
- Lack of Water — A distinct lack of water in the sump pit, while the pump is running, likely means the system was not installed correctly or connected to a drainage system.
- Clogged Pump — A serious clog is likely in the event of a jammed float switch, dirty mechanical parts, or tangled switches.
- Power Loss — There are numerous reasons your sump pump may lose power. For instance, serious basement flooding, a blown fuse or a worn-out backup battery.
Your Sump Pump Has Failed, Now What?
When your sump pump fails, it’s likely during a rainstorm. The water seeps in through the foundation or basement walls, pooling at the lowest point in your home. It’s a total mess. Here’s what you can do in the event your sump pump fails, though.
- Water Extraction — It’s important to remove as much of the standing water as you can. Use a wet vacuum or water pump, both of which should do the trick.
- Water Damage Restoration — Despite your best efforts, you won’t be able to remove all of the standing water. For that, you need to call a local water damage restoration company. They’ll bring in advanced restoration equipment and a thorough process to help.
- Repairs or Replacement — Lastly, you’ll want to get the sump pump back up and running. You’ll need a sump pump replacement or repairs from a trusted source.
No matter the storm outside, if your sump pump fails, call your local Restoration 1. We’ll send an IICRC-certified team to your doorstep within the hour — that’s our guarantee to you!
