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Emergency 1-888-837-1451 About Sump Pumps Causes of Sump Pump Failure Prevention & Troubleshooting Why Reliance®

Want to Avoid a Flooded Basement?

No homeowner wants to deal with a wet basement. Whether flooding is caused by seepage through your foundation or a storm sewer back up, the damage to your home and property can be time consuming and costly to fix.

As climate change causes more frequent and severe storms, ageing sewer infrastructure is struggling to cope – and weather-related residential basement flooding is becoming all too common.

That is why it’s more important than ever to make sure your home has a sump pump, and that it is working properly.

About

About Sump Pumps

A sump pump keeps your basement dry by redirecting water away from your home’s foundation. In most cases, it is installed below the floor of your basement and may be connected to the weeping tile system surrounding your house, giving water a place to drain.

To avoid a wet basement, it is important to check your sump pump at least once a year.

Installing a backwater valve may also be a good idea, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. This can prevent sewage in an overloaded sewer line from backing up into your basement. And that’s a mess everyone wants to avoid!

Don’t forget to have your backwater valve inspected annually to make sure it’s still working.

Looking for a Plumber?

When you’re looking for a plumber here are a few things to consider to make sure you get the right person for the job:

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Whether it’s a small leak or a major  plumbing disaster, you want a well-trained,
trustworthy professional to be there fast and get  the job done right the first time. But finding the
right plumber can be a difficult task so to help  you find the right one, we’ve come up with a few
things that you may want to consider. First, make  sure to check the customer reviews on sites like
Google of any plumbers that you find online to  make sure that they are reliable and professional.
Reviews will also help you determine whether  that person or service company is courteous,
trustworthy and affordable. After all, this is  someone that you will be inviting inside of your
home. Next, making sure to confirm that they are  licensed and insured seems like common sense but
you’ll be surprised how many plumbers out there  operate without proper credentials or insurance
coverage that help protect both you and the  plumber in case of a dispute or accident. Also,
request upfront pricing and avoid anyone who  doesn’t provide a quote in writing. A plumbing
professional will need to do an initial assessment  but depending on the issue you’re experiencing
and the plumber you hire, the cost of a repair  can vary. Understanding and agreeing to a price
upfront allows you to stay in control of the job  from start to finish while giving you peace of
mind. Another thing to consider is to work with a  plumber or service company that values your time.
The plumber coming to your home should be ready  and prepared to fix your issue on the first visit.
This means with all the tools and equipment  on hand. When you’re experiencing a problem,
you don’t want to wait around. Availability,  quick response and preparedness will ensure
that a simple issue doesn’t take much longer  than expected to be completed. And finally,
keep in mind that Pros often know other Pros.  If you’ve had a good experience with your water
heater tech or HVAC professional, ask them to  refer you to a licensed plumber. At Reliance,
we know that you can never plan for a plumbing  emergency, but knowing exactly what to do when
one arises is critical. We deliver expert  service at competitive prices. Our certified
and fully-insured professionals will tell you  what to expect from your repair costs and will
show up at your doorstep with all the tools and  spare parts needed to take care of the problem
the first time. We’re also dedicated to bringing  you and your family peace of mind year-round. To
help avoid most unexpected repair costs, call  us today and ask about our Plumbing Protection
Plan to make sure you’re always covered so for  all of your plumbing needs Call on Reliance™.
water flowing through the pipe

Need sump pump maintenance or repairs?

1-888-837-1451
water flowing through the pipe

Broken Pipe 5 Causes of Sump Pump Failure

 

Since a sump pump is a piece of machinery, things sometimes go wrong. Here are five common causes of sump pump failure:

A power outage is the most common cause of sump pump failure. When the power goes out, so does your sump pump. That’s when a battery back-up sump pump can come to the rescue.

If your sump pump is not installed correctly, or if your sump pump is the wrong size, it may not run efficiently and could have a shorter lifespan. It’s always a good idea to have your sump pump installed by a licenced professional.

Your sump pump has a float that regulates the on / off switch. If your float is not working properly, neither will your sump pump.

Water will not be able to drain away from your basement if the discharge line becomes clogged or frozen. If you notice that your sump pump is not discharging water, it may be time to check your lines.

To help prevent sump pump failure, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a professional once a year.

wrench troubleshooting

Prevention & Troubleshooting

It’s not always easy to pinpoint the source of a backed-up drain, and that can lead to frustration and mounting bills. A video camera drain inspection is a quick, affordable and efficient way to see what’s going on inside your pipes. This makes it easier for us to correct the problem, usually in three easy steps:

  1. Drain camera inspection
  2. Identify any blockage
  3. Clear the blockage using a power drain auger

Plumbing Protection Plans

  • Service from our friendly, licensed plumbing professionals
  • Unlimited service calls
  • No deductible, no annual claims limit

Protect yourself from the unexpected

Starting from only $17.99/month*

LEARN MORE

Ask about our rebates available in your area

If you think it may be time to replace your existing sump pump, or if you want to learn more about a back-up sump pump or backwater valve, a Reliance Home Comfort™ plumber can provide expert advice and installation.

There may be rebates available in your area to help cover the costs.

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