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October 2, 2008
Dump the Sump
Q: Hello Ed, please help! I have a finished basement and rely on my sump pump to protect my home from flooding. I thought I was safe, but during the last storm my basement started getting wet. My pump had stopped, so I jiggled the float and it started up. It's worked fine since then but now every time it rains I get concerned. Was this a fluke or should I change the pump? I really am on a tight budget. Benny (Rhode Island)
A: Benny, there are things we can afford to do in our homes and things we cannot afford to do in our homes. In your case you can't afford not to change the pump.
I'm sure you have a sizable investment in your finished basement, and you need to know that you are protecting that investment the best you can. I would not play the odds with this one.
A sticky float switch can be a warning sign that a complete switch failure may soon be possible. And, if the switch does fail in the middle of a rainy night, you could find yourself knee deep in trouble!
Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.Posted by Ed Del Grande at October 2, 2008 12:13 PM
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Comments
Benny - be sure that the float has adequate clearance in the area it moves about in. We installed one this year and at first it worked great. Then is "jiggled" into a position so that it would "stick" on the tubing it and the pump are encased in. We fidgeted with the wiring/electric cord that secured the float in place until we got it in a position where the float could move freely. It works great now. Another option is to get one of those basement alarms that goes off when it gets wet (originally meant for use to alert the homeowner when the water heater leaked) and situate it so that it is a little above the water line where the float is supposed to kick off the sump pump and have that as an alarm for when the float is not working properly.
Posted by: Libby2Lou at October 8, 2008 1:33 AM
I would advise also putting in a back up battery. We did and it saved our butt as well.
Posted by: Paul at October 10, 2008 11:57 AM
