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Recent Weather Is Working Sump Pumps Harder
According to the National Weather Service, Chattanooga, TN is seeing a lot more rain in 2020, almost 60 percent above normal. The future could hold more of the same, and some of it could wind up in your basement. Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air offers prompt and professional sump pump services both preventive and on an emergency basis. We highly recommend the preventive approach, but we’re here for you whenever you’ve got plumbing and water problems in your home.
How a Sump Pump Keeps Your Basement Dry
A sump pump is located in a basin, or sump, carved in your basement floor that collects water from your basement or, preferably, from the water table below rising up towards your basement. It is designed to sense water in the sump and start a pump that pulls the water from there through a drain pipe and away from your foundation to a proper drainage area. In many homes, the sump pump’s operation is a frequently heard sound in the basement, especially during the spring or other rainy season. In some homes, the sump pump runs rarely and is a protection against unexpected water table encroachment that tends to sit in a corner and be forgotten. As the weather changes and more homes are affected by a rising water table, these forgotten sump pumps spring to action — if they’re ready.
No Sump and Need a Sump Pump Installed?
Our sump pump services technicians can install an initial or additional sump pump to protect your basement. We create and prepare the sump, install the pump and drain pipe, and provide additional preparation as needed. You’ll be prepared for the next heavy rains or any other time the water table in the area rises, not at the mercy of cracks in your foundation or other unpredictable spots where water will find its way in.
Higher Water Tables Provide More Sump Pump Challenges
When there’s more rain and the water table is high, your sump pump has to work harder. That can mean that you need a new sump pump with additional capacity to handle the water and avoid capacity-related breakdowns from constant running. Our sump pump services personnel can install a traditional or submersible pump quickly and make sure that your sump and drain pipe are ready to work with it.
Common Signs of Sump Pump Problems
When the rain pours, it’s not uncommon for sump pumps to run constantly. At other times, however, it’s a possible sign of trouble if your pump doesn’t stop, or runs frequently. It could be a sump design problem, float switch problem, or other pump malfunction. You could also have trouble with your drain location and the check valve that prevents water from flowing back through the pump from the drain. Lack of pumping action can mean there’s a motor failure, float switch failure, or power cord problem, even that the pump is unplugged or the breaker is off. Without power, a regular sump pump won’t operate.
Backup Power to Beat the Storms
If you don’t have an automatic generator, you might want to consider backup power for your sump pump to power it for a few hours until the power is restored. If you live in rural areas, more capacity can help when it takes much longer for power to return after storm damage. Our sump pump services people can provide a reliable backup battery power unit to keep your pump going and make sure your basement is dry when storms not only pour down rain on your home, but cause power outages as well.
Sump Pump Services and Inspection
It pays to have our sump pump services inspection team check out your pump and related installation periodically to make sure that everything is in working order and installed correctly. We often find that the sump needs cleaning, floats need untangling, and drain pipes need clearing, especially at the output end. We can also make sure your pump is of sufficient capacity to handle the increased workload we’ve been seeing in recent years, and provide repair and replacement sump pump services if needed.
Finished Basements and Double Pump Protection
Your finished basement is a significant investment, especially if there are appliances, furniture, or home theater equipment installed. Creating a second sump and installing another pump in another location can take some of the load off of your original pump and provide backup in case of problems. We can do the whole job for you, and even locate the pump behind your drywall in many cases for a discreet installation.
Pump Replacement and Repair Options
We can provide motor replacement, pump repair, and other sump pump maintenance and cleaning, or we can install a new, high-capacity pump including the sealed submersible models with floating water level switches that won’t be at risk if the water level rises above them. Our sump pump replacements will ensure that you have the pump capacity and reliability you need in a model that works with your home’s sump design.
Rerouting Drain Pipes to Protect Your Yard
Where does your sump pump drain go? Is it coming out of a flex tube or digging a ditch in your yard after heavy rain? Our sump pump services include providing an expertly designed and plumbed drain pipe for your sump pump that will keep the water away from your foundation to prevent reentry, and make sure that the water is being delivered where it won’t make a mess.
Dry Basements Are a Specialty at Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air
We provide the Chattanooga, TN area sump pump services to keep water from entering your basement, and plumbing services to prevent your pipes and water heater from flooding from the inside. Our preventive services, maintenance, and emergency services are designed to keep you dry and relaxed at home. Give us a call to schedule a visit at 423-668-0507.
