In an unusual turn of events, one of the hottest Julys in recent memory in North Aurora and the Chicagoland area has become one of the wettest. The second half of July has seen numerous thunder storms, rain showers and even a flash flood advisory for some of the Windy City suburbs.
With rain and water surrounding your North Aurora home, now is a good time to check your sump pump and ensure it can save your basement (and home) in case flooding hits your property.
What a sump pump does
When flooding occurs, a sump pump ensures that the rising water level does not affect your home. Rising water will attempt to enter your home through your sewage and drainage pipes – often bringing everything you normally want to eject out of your house with it.
Sump pumps should also be accompanied by back-up generators in case the electricity goes out during heavy rain or flooding. If it’s a severe thunder storm, this is a likely possibility. If you don’t have a back-up generator to go along with your sump pump, you should address this right away.
Inspecting your sump pump
A properly working sump pump should be capable of turning itself on once the water level rises. If you notice your sump pump not turning itself on immediately, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
The most common cause of sump pump failure is a motor that has been overused. If your North Aurora home encounters a lot of flooding, this could occur sooner than you think. Otherwise, plan to replace your sump pump every 10 years or sooner (and seven years or sooner for atypically flood-prone areas).
Another sign that you need to replace your sump pump is it has visible rust or makes bizarre sounds or excessive vibrations when it turns on.
Replacing a sump pump
If you inspect your sump pump and discover it may not be up to snuff to deal with a real flooding event, you may need to replace it or get it repaired.
You may consider repairing it yourself, but this comes with some risks. As a sump pump is powered by electricity and has moving mechanical parts, you may injure yourself if you attempt to repair a broken sump pump without the right training or safety equipment.
That’s why you should have us repair your sump pump for you. Repairing your sump pump will be less costly than purchasing an entirely new one, which could set you back more than $500 for typical models.
Get sump pump help today
If you’re planning on repairing your sump pump, or want peace of mind that your sump is working, call us today at (630) 761-3400 to set up an appointment. You can also schedule an appointing using our contact us page. Last, check out our services page for more info on how we can make your home safer and more pleasant to live in.