A Homeowner’s Guide to Sump Pump Maintenance
If you have ever had a flooded basement after a heavy rain or because of a burst pipe, you understand just how much damage it can cause in a short period of time. Instead of enduring this inconvenience and cost, you may have decided to invest in a sump pump. If so, you need to remember that your sump pump requires regular maintenance to keep it running at peak efficiency. If you’re curious as to what’s involved with maintaining your sump pump, our experts here at Boss Plumbing have compiled the most important sump pump maintenance tips you’ll need to remember.
How to Avoid Sump Pump Problems
If you want to avoid having an overflowing sump pump or finding out your sump pump has stopped working and has led to you having a clogged basement drain that is making matters even worse, we suggest you make sump pump maintenance and service one of your top plumbing priorities.
Here at Boss Plumbing, we always recommend to our residential customers that sump pumps be checked by a licensed and experienced plumber once every year. By doing so, you can always be sure your sump pump will be in the best possible condition and ready to handle a plumbing emergency.
When you have our sump pump experts service your sump pump, we can inspect its motor for unusual signs of wear and tear, make sure the pump is properly positioned in its pit so that it can pump out excess water as needed, and correct any problems it may be having with cutting off and on unexpectedly. To make sure you always have peace of mind about your sump pump, let us work with you to set up a regular sump pump maintenance and service schedule.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Sump Pump?
Since your home’s sump pump has many different components, you may be wondering how your sump pump works and what its life expectancy will be once you have it installed.
The good news is that if you rely on the professional plumbing services we offer here at Boss Plumbing, you can expect to have your sump pump last at least 10 years and maybe longer if it is properly serviced and maintained on an annual basis. In fact, a good rule of thumb for you to remember is that your home’s sump pump will have a life expectancy that is very similar to your water heater or other common appliances.
Importance of Sump Pump Maintenance
Our team here at Boss Plumbing knows sump pump maintenance is crucial for a variety of reasons. For starters, you can have a professional plumber look over your sump pump and test it to make sure any problems that are just starting to develop can be taken care of before they get bigger and more expensive to fix.
However, while it is possible to replace a sump pump yourself and have everything go fine, we usually find that most homeowners make crucial errors when going the DIY route. Typical problems include not properly positioning the sump pump in its pit, ignoring problems when the pump cuts off and on irregularly, and failing to install a sump pump that can adequately handle the demands of their home. For example, if your home is prone to flooding, installing a sump pump that is too small will result in its motor wearing out prematurely, meaning you’ll need a new sump pump sooner than you expected.
How Often to Service Your Sump Pump
As we mentioned earlier, it is best to have your sump pump serviced once each year. This can help to prevent sewer backups in your basement and help you avoid the possibility of needing sewer cleaning services.
Basics of Sump Pump Maintenance
Our Boss Plumbing team feels the most important thing you can do for your sump pump is to test it each spring to make sure it is actually working as expected. This will let you take care of any problems before those spring rains arrive, ensuring you’ll have a dry basement throughout the season.
Other maintenance tips we suggest include unplugging the pump and cleaning any debris that has accumulated, checking for any parts that may have worn out from last year, inspecting the water discharge area to make sure the drain is not clogged, and installing a battery backup so your sump pump will continue to work if the power goes out.
DIY or Pro?
As with most plumbing tasks, we here at Boss Plumbing feel that unless you are well-versed in what’s involved with plumbing repairs related to your home’s sump pump, it is best to call on our pros and let them handle the job. Whether you are in need of drain cleaning services or have bathroom plumbing repairs that need a professional touch, rely on our team to get the job done right the first time and give you peace of mind.
Who to Call for Sump Pump Maintenance?
Always contact us here at Boss Plumbing when you need sump pump maintenance. Instead of crossing your fingers during a DIY maintenance attempt or calling a plumber you only hope knows how to service sump pumps, trust us here at Boss Plumbing for your sump pump service needs.
How Much Does Professional Sump Pump Maintenance Cost?
You’ll be glad to know that if you make yearly sump pump maintenance a top priority, you’ll save plenty of money. On average, annual service and maintenance will cost $150-$250 for a typical sump pump in a Los Angeles home.
Contact Us Today
No matter what type of plumbing repair services you need here in Los Angeles, contact our team here at Boss Plumbing to get the best prices and most reliable service. From our state-of-the-art backflow prevention services to everything your sump pump will ever need, do like thousands of homeowners here in Los Angeles have done the past three decades and contact us to schedule a service call.
