If you have a basement with water problems or the potential for flooding, there’s the possibility for a significant amount of damage. Regardless of the source of the water, most issues can be fixed fairly quickly. A sump pump won’t fix the source of your problem, but it will keep your space dry and treat the symptoms while you work on a solution. The best part is that a sump pump is relatively affordable, and only requires routine maintenance. If you want to install a sump pump yourself, here are several common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid.

Debris in the Sump Pump

When you install your sump pump, it should sit on a solid surface that doesn’t have anything that could get sucked up into the pump. There shouldn’t be any loose rocks, silt, gravel, or other debris in the area that could end up in your pump. Remember that rising water will move loose items around as well, so clean up debris in the basement when doing an install.

Problems with the Float Switch

Your float switch is a key component to the sump pump as it tells the pump when to turn on and off based on the level of the water. When installing a sump pump, there should be adequate room around the float switch so that it can freely move up and down. If it is obstructed in any way, the pump won’t operate properly.

Check Valve Issues

The check valve on the sump pump is a barrier so that water can’t flow back into the pump. There is an arrow on the valve indicating the direction in which it should face, which is away from the sump pump.

While sump pump installation is pretty straightforward, not everyone wants to take on this project themselves. If you have any questions about a sump pump installation or would like some help, give us a call at (847) 852-7150.