A sump pump sits in a pit that gathers and collects water until it reaches a level that activates the sump pump. We check to be certain that the pit is free of debris that could cause the pump to fail.
Inspect the piping and clamps to ensure that they are secure and not loose. If any of the piping has become loose over the years, you might hear vibrating or loud noises when the pump is running.
Make sure that there is a functioning check valve installed on the discharge pipe. The check valve helps prevent water in the pipe from flowing back down into the pit after the pump turns off.
Manually run the back-up pump by activating the float switch. We also ensure that the switch is set at the proper level so that it does not "compete" with the primary pump and only comes on if the primary pump should fail.
Test the battery to make sure it is holding sufficient charge to run your back-up pump in the event of a power outage or primary pump failure. Also inspect and clean the wiring and battery terminal connections.
We make sure the discharge line is flowing and free of debris. A clogged discharge line will prevent water from being pumped into the sewer and possibly forced back toward your basement.
Inspect the pump itself to ensure proper operation making sure that the impeller is spinning freely and the weep hole is open to help prevent the pump from becoming air locked.
Inspect the pump switch to make sure it activates the pump at the proper water level and then shuts the pump off. Whether a pressure style or float style switch, they will be checked to make sure they are working and free of trouble that would prevent your pump from activating.