The number of floods have increased significantly in the last decade in both Ontario and British Columbia, which has lead to a hike in insurance claims as well. Homeowners have been drenched in costly water damage repair, and trying to restore their homes.
Even with interior and exterior basement waterproofing, and a French drain system, leakage can still be a problem. If water seeps into the basement, it can damage furniture, and be extremely dangerous if there are any loose or hanging wires. In addition, if water sits on any surface for an extended period of time, it will start to develop mold, which can be toxic.
One of the best defenses against flooding is a basement sump pump. These are electrical devices that help to collect and extract water from a basement when there is a leak or flood.
But if the pump has malfunctioned, or requires sump pump repair, it should be taken care of as soon as possible. Homeowners can call a professional sump pump repair company to take care of it for them, or try to deal with it on their own.
Here are a few troubleshooting tips for addressing the problem.
- Clean the Pit. Often times, the debris in the pit that collects over time can cause float problems. Your pump may be filled with an excess of dirt, making it hard for your pump to flush out the water. The best thing to do would be to clean out the pit and remove any items that may impede the flow of water.
- Valve. For any sump pump, the valve is what triggers the pump to start pushing water out. If you pour water into your the sump pump pit, and the valve does not kick in, you will know that something is wrong with the valve. This will likely require the help of a technician.
- Electric Cord. Because sump pumps are powered by electricity, you will want to check on the cord. If it is frayed or damaged, you will need to find a replacement for it. Also check the circuit breaker to be sure that the current hasn’t tripped.
If none of these things help your sump pump, you may need to completely replace it. It may cost you a bit, but it will be worth it. Find more.
