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Common Sump Pump Problems

As we prepare for April showers to bring May flowers, we know that sump pump maintenance and repair is crucial for a dry basement during excessive rain. If you haven’t done some routine maintenance recently or got your sump pump checked in the last two months, we recommend scheduling a check-up with us right away to avoid any potential problems.

See below for some of the most common sump pump problems and what you can do to avoid a basement flood:

  • Unpowered pump – Like other household appliances, without power your sump pump is useless. Invest in a high-quality back-up sump pump to prevent problems.
  • The switch was Stuck – There are several different kinds of sump float switches (vertical and tethered are the most common). The tethered floats tend to get stuck on the sidewalls of the sump put resulting in a basement flood.
  • Pump was Overwhelmed – You at least need a 1/3 horsepower sump pump capable of pumping 35 gallons of water per minute. If you have anything less than that, your sump pump may not be able to keep up with the water flow.
  • Frozen Discharge Line – A fairly common problem, if water collects in the pipe it can potentially freeze, forcing water back into the basement.
  • Old Age – Sump pumps should be replaced every 5 – 7 years to be reasonably safe.

Do you have questions or concerns with your sump pump system? Contact your favorite sump pump repair experts at Patterson Plumbing and Heating today! A specialist will come by, diagnose the problem, make recommendations and prepare pricing by the job – not the hour – so there are no surprises. Call (719) 496-4939 Now!

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