Everyone enjoys a lovely summer storm, but the local team from Joe Klosterman Plumbing wants to remind all of their Cincinnati Tri-state area customers that after a refreshing downpour, it’s important to perform a little sump pump maintenance. Checking your sump pump now can save you a lot of money in the future. According to these experts, sump pump failure is one of the primary causes of basement flooding in homes. Unlike flooding due to a flash flood, flooding due to sump pump failure isn’t typically covered by flood insurance.

Follow these five sump pump maintenance tips to make sure your sump pump can handle runoff water from summer showers: 

• Check For Debris: If your sump pump is clogged, it’s not going to do its job! Check the basin of your sump pump for debris following a large storm. Leaves and branches can find their way into your sump pump basin and cause problems, so be sure to take those out first. Then replace with excessive gravel which will make the pump continue to run and not shut off.
• Test Your Pump: Testing the efficiency of your sump pump is easy. Simply fill the basin with water and watch to make sure your pump starts and stops the way it should. If you fill the basin and nothing happens, or it begins to backup, call a professional plumber. 
• Check The Valve: Most sump pumps have check valves, and if yours isn’t working correctly, your pump won’t be able to handle excess water. According to Joe Klosterman Plumbing, if you notice your check valve is pointing towards the sump pump, there might be an issue!
• Keep It Clean: Keeping the impeller and weep hole on your sump pump clean and unobstructed will go a long way towards maintaining your system and keeping water out of your home. If you don’t want to do the dirty work yourself, you can always have a professional plumber perform full sump pump maintenance service for you.
• Take A Whiff: If you suddenly notice a strong smell emitting from your sump pump, it could be a sign that the water isn’t cycling through properly. Flush out your basin with water only, do not use bleach and let the water cycle through to eliminate the odor.

When well cared for, a sump pump can easily function for 10 years or more, and help you avoid flooding in your home. If you want to establish a sump pump maintenance plan that works for you, call Joe Klosterman Plumbing at (513) 941-6766 or visit them online today. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.