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4 Common Sump Pump Plumbing Mistakes

Who doesn’t love a clean and dry basement? People often spend hundreds or sometimes, even thousands of dollars on the best quality sump pumps to keep their basement dry and water free but the results are not always as expected. This is often due to some common mistakes with sump pump plumbing. Here is a list of the four most common mistakes you should avoid with a sump pump to keep your basement dry:

DIY Installation without Proper Training and Tools

There is no denying that this is the golden era for DIY enthusiasts. There are endless guides, videos, and articles on how to DIY almost everything. There is nothing wrong with DIY sump pump installation but only if you have the necessary training and tools, and you understand the risk associated with certain mistakes.

Do not try DIY with sump pump installation if you do not have the expertise and the tools required for a flawless installation. If something goes wrong, you would be looking at thousands of dollars worth of damage as basement flooding has the potential to damage your water heater, furnace, and various other devices and once these devices have come in contact with water, you will have to replace them.

Install Right Type of Sump Pump

Sump pumps are available in a wide range of configurations, designs, powers, and prices. Go through the specifications carefully and check customer reviews before ordering one for your basement. Ideally for outdoor plumbing, you should invest in a submersible pump that works quietly and is extremely powerful. Also, make sure the capacity of the pump is enough for the amount of water that is expected to be pumped out.

Have a Power Backup

One of the most common reasons for basement flooding despite the presence of an adequate sump pump is a power failure. Power failure can happen due to a variety of reasons such as storms or failure of the electrical grid due to heavy rains or any other such issues. If you do not have a backup power plan in place, your sump pump is not going to work and it will lead to basement flooding.

Invest in a 12 V marine battery pack or have an electric generator to make sure your sump pump has enough power when the main power grid goes out. Also, if you are using a battery, make sure it is installed at a proper place where water won’t reach it and leave it unusable.

Not Testing the Sump Pump

Another common reason for basement flooding despite the presence of a sump pump is the lack of regular testing and inspection. A sump pump isn’t an install-and-forget product. It needs to be regularly tested. Some Sump pumps need to be tested at monthly intervals whereas other high-quality pumps also need to be tested at least once a year. Testing a sump pump doesn’t take that long but it needs to be done to ensure that it will be able to pump out water when needed.

Final Thoughts

Overall, a sump pump is an expensive piece of equipment that is designed to keep your basement free of water. However, you need to choose the right sump pump and it should be installed in the right manner. If you do not have proper experience with a sump pump, hire the services of a reliable plumbing team for regular testing and fixing any issues with a sump pump system.