How to Prevent Summer Flooding

Summertime is supposed to be a time where you can relax, enjoy the sun, and spend some time in the backyard pool if you’re lucky enough to have one. The last thing you want to worry about is something going wrong in your house. Unfortunately, with summer, comes the potential for severe weather. This weather can bring heavy rainstorms that can easily flood basements. 

To prevent basement flooding, many install a sump pump to pump flood water from the basement back out of the house. Sump pumps can help to prevent your valuables from getting damaged and your home from becoming a danger zone. In this article, your trusted expert plumbers from John Baethke & Son Plumbingwill provide some helpful tips on how to prevent summer flooding with the addition of a sump pump.

What Is A Sump Pump?

A sump pump is, in its basic form, a small pump that is installed in the lowest part of a home's basement. It is often installed in a "sump pit" which sits lower than the basement floor to allow water to drain straight to the pump for better flood preventing. The sump pump, when surrounded by water, will pump the water out of the pit and away from the house where the drain is installed. 

How to Test Your Sump Pump?

There are many ways to test your sump pump to make sure that it is ready for the summer storms. First, you will want to check the drain to make sure that it is free and clear of any debris. A clogged drain can make the pump work harder and could potentially cause a water back up as well.

Second, if you can pour water into your pump, pour enough water in to activate the float and see if it starts to drain. Alternatively, you can lift the float to see if the pump kicks on.

Sump Pump Benefits

There are many different benefits to sump pumps. In this section, we’ll take a look at the top five benefits most homeowners can expect from a properly installed pump.

• Helps To Prevent Flooding: The first benefit is quite obvious, and the topic of this article—and that’s the fact that sump pumps prevent flooding. After all, this is their main job. Sump pumps are made to prevent flooding in your basement and are a great way to keep your valuables safe.
• Can Help To Increase Property Value: A sump pump is one way that homeowners can increase the value of their home. With as much sump pumps help out your home in the event of a flood, it is usually something that homeowners look for when purchasing a home. Having one installed not only helps you now but can help when it comes to selling your home as well.
• Can Decrease The Chances Of Electrical Fires: Water and electricity do not get along, we all know this, so it is only practical to know that flooding can cause electrical fires in your home. By using a sump pump to get the water out of your basement as quickly as possible, you reduce the risk of electrical fires and electrical damage. These damages can be quite costly and leave you with a damaged home, so make sure to get a sump pump installed quickly to keep you and your home safe.
• Decrease The Chances Of Mold Growth: Flooding can cause mold growth if it comes into contact with a surface that allows for the mold to grow. This is a common issue with basements that have flooded. This mold can cause serious health issues for you and anyone in the house. With a sump pump, you can rest assured that mold growth will be decreased due to water being sucked out of your basement quickly. 

Quality Sump Pump Installation In Chicago 

Now that you know how to use a sump pump to prevent summer flooding, it’s time for you to get one installed. The sump pump experts at John Baethke & Son Plumbingcan help guide you on the right sump pump and setup for your basement, to ensure the best functioning system to keep your home protected.

For more information about our services at John Baethke & Son, give us a call to speak with a representative today. If you’d like to get started with a free estimate in your home, fill out our easy online form and we’ll connect with you right away.