Last weekend, after that crazy storm, my sump pump decided it was the perfect time to stop working. Typical, right? Anyway, I didn't wanna shell out big bucks for a plumber, so I figured I'd give it a shot myself. First thing I did was unplug it (obviously), then pulled it outta the pit and cleaned off all the gunk and debris stuck around the intake screen. You wouldn't believe how much junk gets stuck down there.
Next, I checked the float switch—mine was kinda jammed up with some grime, so I cleaned that off too and made sure it moved freely again. Plugged it back in and tested by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. Worked like a charm...for now at least.
I'm no expert though, just kinda winged it based on some YouTube vids. Anyone got other tips or maybe better ways to keep these things running smoothly?
Good tips, thanks—I'm still pretty new to homeownership and sump pumps make me nervous. I've heard about battery backups for power outages...anyone here actually installed one? Worth the investment or nah?
Battery backups can be handy, but honestly, they're not always the silver bullet people make them out to be. A couple years back, I installed one after a nasty storm knocked out power for two days. It worked fine at first, but the battery drained quicker than expected—barely lasted through the night. Ended up going with a water-powered backup pump instead. No batteries to worry about, and as long as your city water stays on, you're golden. Might be worth looking into before dropping cash on batteries.
"Ended up going with a water-powered backup pump instead. No batteries to worry about, and as long as your city water stays on, you're golden."
Couldn't agree more—battery backups can be finicky beasts. I've seen plenty of setups where the battery's toast after just a year or two, especially if maintenance slips (and let's face it, who remembers to check battery fluid regularly?). Water-powered pumps are underrated gems. Sure, they're not perfect if your water pressure's weak, but for most city setups, they're reliable and hassle-free. Plus, no midnight battery swaps in pajamas...been there, done that.
