When do most homeowners find out that their sump pump has failed? When it’s too late! It’s pouring rain, rainwater is contributing to groundwater, and the water table is rising rapidly. As the groundwater level reaches the float activation set point. Regularly, the sump pump will kick in and keep the water level below the basement slab, thus relieving hydrostatic pressure below the basement floor.
Unfortunately, many homeowners find out the hard way that their sump pump is malfunctioning. The water table rises beyond a controllable level and hydrostatic pressure begins to force water through floor cracks and floor-wall joints. The result is increased humidity levels within the basement, which can lead to poor indoor air quality conditions, and in severe cases, can cause standing water to fill within the basement causing havoc and misery.
The most important thing homeowners with basement waterproofing systems (sump pumps, basement drains, etc.) can do is complete the regular factory-recommended maintenance procedures included in the manual that came with the sump pump. . If a base waterproofing company or a local contractor/plumber installed the system, they should have given you the original product manual. Many waterproofing companies offer annual maintenance to help you maintain your sump pump(s) and waterproofing systems. It is strongly recommended that if you decide to go ahead with contracted maintenance that you ask plenty of questions about how the company will service the system.
Regular maintenance should include removing debris and clogs from the sump liner and cleaning any strainers or screens that are attached to the sump pump. It is recommended that drains and sump pump systems be flushed with hot water on a regular basis. This ensures that any debris or colonies of iron bacteria do not accumulate and become obstructions to the flow of water. Do not use any type of hazardous cleaning chemicals (bleach, ammonia, detergents, etc.) through any drain or sump pump system.
If your sump pump has a removable screen (usually at the base), most waterproofing professionals should remove it and use a wire brush to clean the impeller of the pump. Proper maintenance should also include functional testing of sump pumps and float switch (if applicable). The water discharge lines should also be checked to ensure that the water being pumped is flowing freely and to an area that does not allow water to seep into the basement.
If open drains are part of your basement waterproofing(bulkhead trenches, garage trenches, etc.) be sure to test their efficiency frequently. If your basement waterproofing system includes a battery backup, that should also be tested and maintained. All open cell batteries should be filled to factory recommended levels with distilled water.
As mentioned earlier in this post, always follow factory recommended maintenance procedures. It is recommended that you perform maintenance at least twice a year. The most important times to maintain your waterproofing systems are after extended periods of inactivity and before typical periods of heavy use. Every area is different, but experience with Massachusetts weather patterns has shown that February (winter thaw) and September bring the most sump pump failure complaints.