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Most homes in Chattanooga, TN have some pumps installed in the basement. These pumps are a critical part of your plumbing system. If they fail, they can create a plumbing emergency. Water that does not get removed from your home can seep into your foundation, causing it to become irreparably damaged.

To ensure that the sump pump is operating properly, homeowners should opt for sump pump services. Get a professional to look at the sump pump to make sure that it is working properly and efficiently. With that said, this is something that many homeowners neglect to do. This may not necessarily be because they’re lazy. Many homeowners simply don’t know what sump pump services are.

What’s Involved with Sump Pump Services?

Many homeowners wonder what’s involved with sump pump services and whether it’s the same as getting the plumbing inspected or the HVAC system inspected. We’d say that this service is quite similar in many ways. Sump pump services cover:

• Cleaning the pump. This is kind of like a drain cleaning service. The HVAC company will take the sump pump apart and clean all of the components. You’d be surprised by how much dirt and dust accumulates inside this device.

• Unclogging the drainage and lines. As the sump pump removes excess water from your home, it will also wash away rock, debris and other types of obstructions. These obstructions can easily clog up some of the drainage lines. Once the parts are cleaned, the professionals will take a look at the discharge lines to see whether there are any obstructions present.

• Checking the functionality of all of the parts. If only just one part is malfunctioning, the entire sump pump can malfunction as well. A licensed professional will need to check the condition and functionality of all of the parts. For example, they will look at the motor, the battery, the alarm and any other part that plays a critical role.

• Overall performance. Last but not least, the professional will actually pour water into the sump pump. They check to see whether the pump actually automatically turns on and begins removing water from the home. They’ll also check to see whether the pump responds quickly. A sump pump must work quickly. If not, your home could flood.

Some services will include other things as well. Before you agree to any type of service, make sure that you speak with the HVAC company to get a very good idea of what you can expect.

Monthly versus Annual Inspections

Sump pump services are usually only needed once a year. Annual sump pump services include a detailed cleaning of the pump in the pit, an inspection of the drainage pipes and an analysis of the sump pump’s services. If everything seems to be working, you’re good to go. However, if there are some discrepancies, the HVAC company will need to take a deeper look into the issue to see whether anything needs to be addressed.

Monthly sump pump services are not required; however, some homeowners will ask a professional to come take a look rather than do the inspection themselves. Monthly services include cleaning the pump and the grate at the bottom. This is to prevent any blockages from damaging the pump.

Do I Need Monthly Sump Pump Services?

Not everyone needs to clean and inspect their sump pump monthly. You will only need to do this on a regular basis if you notice that your sump pump is always in action. This usually means that you’re living in a very humid environment.

Unlike other sump pumps, your sump pump needs to remove excess water from the home on a daily basis. Small rocks, stones and debris make it washed into the basin. These contaminants can easily become blockages. If you do not clean your sump pump regularly, these contaminants can break the parts. You’ll end up needing extensive repair services.

Don’t Forget the Battery

The most easily forgotten part of the sump pump is the battery. Most sump pumps run on electricity nowadays except for water-powered ones. Due to this reason, most sump pumps have a backup battery. The backup battery will kick in if the main power source is unavailable. For example, this might happen if there’s a flood or if there’s a power outage. In both of these situations, you still want to make sure that your sump pump is functioning properly.

The professional should inspect the battery to see whether it is in good condition and whether it still has power. If the battery has lost its charge, it should be replaced as soon as possible. A licensed and experienced professional should be able to give you a good idea of how long your battery should last. They’ll let you know when you should get the battery inspected next. They can also tell you whether any replacements come with any type of warranty or guarantee.

Get Sump Pump Services from Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air

Most homeowners don’t realize how important the sump pump actually is. Without it, your home is in a very vulnerable position. If the plumbing bursts and water floods everywhere, your home will not have the ability to remove any of that excess water. It’ll become susceptible to water damage, which can be extremely costly to fix.

One of the most important home maintenance services that you should get is a sump pump inspection. If you don’t want to get this type of service monthly, you should, at the very least, get it annually to make sure that the sump pump is functioning properly and efficiently.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your sump pump, contact Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air. We are one of the most reputable HVAC companies in Chattanooga, TN, and our licensed technicians can help you better understand how the sump pump in your home works. We will walk you through the entire service, so you know why we’re doing what we’re doing.