Safety, Sump Pumps & Basement Flood Protection 2020

It’s important to confirm with your Kingston plumbing expert that your excess water will hit your outdoors in an area where it can be absorbed properly such as your lawn so it doesn’t run onto your neighbour’s property, driveway, into the streets or back into your own drainage system.

Whether your home has the ability to easily keep your sump pump plugged in or not, it is worth considering a sump pump with a battery back-up. They are more expensive, but they do provide the extra insurance that your pump will turn on with or without power. It could save you many pennies and a huge headache in the long run.

Tips to Freshen Your Pits!

John THE Plumber recommends the following annual tips on maintaining your pump and its pit:

• Clean your pit after the winter thaw
• Flush the pit by adding fresh water until the pump removes the stale water/moldy smell
• Disconnect the pump from the power source, then remove it and clean it
• Check your floor drain trap for any blockages and that it is clear
• Test your pump by pouring water into the pit and triggering it to operate; ensure that you do this before the rainy season

Further Sump Pump Tips:

• Occasionally check for debris in the pit and that the screen covering the water intake is clean
• Check the discharge point regularly to make sure that nothing is blocking the flow to the outdoors
• Test your sump pump if and when you plan to be gone for a while

Improving Your Home’s Drainage System:

• Clear all debris from your eaves troughs on a regular basis
• If you notice continued quick overflow after they are cleaned, replace them with a larger size
• Extend your downspouts so that water flows away from your house; this will stop water from collecting near the basement walls or its windows
• Build up the ground all around your home so that water will naturally flow away from your basement

Be it a sump pump or a backwater valve (or both!), if you are unsure as to what you are doing you may do your home more harm than good. We recommend that you hire a professional plumbing expert to ensure that the work is done properly and efficiently. If you have any questions or concerns about the current state of your basement, are experiencing basement flood or a moldy smell, give us a call at John THE Plumber and we’ll send over one of our licensed and knowledgeable professional right away.

Water damage can cost a lot of money in terms of repairs but beyond that everyone needs to know that it is truly a matter of health. Stay dry and call us today – You’ll be glad you did!

To discover more on the full range of emergency services offered by our Kingston-based John the Plumber, please call our offices today at 343-477-1970 or visit our business website at johntheplumber.ca/kingston