The sump pump in your basement can really save you some money. If it is not properly installed or is malfunctioning, it can cost you thousands of dollars in water damage. Here are some questions to consider.
n
Do you know enough about water intrusion?
n
Is basement water intrusion inevitable? Maybe not. You should educate yourself and also check all your systems. Your guttering may be letting you down, or there may be other drainage system failures. Consider calling a plumbing and heating contractor to evaluate and advise.
n
Is your pump working as it should?
n
Although sump pump systems are normally very durable, often serving well for many years, they can fail when needed most. A very common cause of failure is debris fouling the switch and causing the pump to fail to turn on when needed. Keep the sump area clean.
n
Can you fix it yourself?
n
If you are a home handy person you might feel that you can replace that faulty pump yourself. And you may be right. Just be careful and observe the usual safety precautions with electrical installations.
n
Can you install a complete system yourself?
n
You might want to think long and hard before attempting a full sump pump installation yourself. There are local codes to be observed. Capacity and drainage requirements must be considered.
n
It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your basement. Structural damage caused by water intrusion is a huge potential problem. You could face thousands of dollars in repairs. But it won’t cost that much to call in a contractor and get you sump pump set up right.