Winter Can Be Tough on Your Sump Pump So Check It
Winter may offer the beauty of new-fallen snow, but the season can take a toll on your house. One area that many homeowners overlook when it comes to winter weather is their sump pump. Given that sump pumps are used every day, you need to ensure they’re working properly. At Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, our team of experts can help home and business owners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware manage sump pump maintenance and repairs all winter long. Here, we explore sump pumps and why harsh winter weather can be such a problem for them.
What Does a Sump Pump Do?
Sump pumps are units in a basement or crawl space that are designed to help prevent flooding. These machines accumulate water inside a pit or basin and then use a pump to push it outside of the property, allowing it to drain into your yard. These drainage areas are carefully designated, ensuring that the water is deposited far enough from your home. These pumps feature sensors that monitor the water levels or pressure and automatically discharge water when needed.
Crawl space and basement sump pumps are necessary in homes and other properties because they keep excess water from entering the building. Whether you’ve experienced large amounts of recent rainfall or live near water and are at risk of flooding, these units help keep water out. Hydrostatic pressure can allow water in the surrounding soil to seep into your foundation through naturally occurring cracks, which is how the water can get into your home.
What Affect Does Winter Have on Sump Pumps?
Some people think sump pumps only get heavily used during the rainy seasons. However, in areas like PA, NJ, and DE, the harsh winter weather often requires a properly working sump pump as well. Some reasons you’ll want to check your unit during winter include:
Melting Snow
While winter isn’t often associated with heavy rain, when the snow blanketing your yard melts, it leads to more groundwater around your home. This makes the water level in the sump pit increase and triggers the pump to operate more often. In some cases, sump pumps can stop working when there are heavy amounts of melting snow, leading to the potential for flooding.
Ice Buildup
When temperatures get low, water freezes, creating ice, which poses several threats for homeowners. Concerning sump pumps, ice buildup can prevent the pump from functioning properly. Ice can clog the piping leading to the drainage area, which can eventually cause the basin to overflow and lead to a flooded basement.
Overuse
Sump pumps are designed to handle everyday use, but consistent use can cause problems. This is especially true of older units. If excessive rain or melting snow in the winter causes your unit to run for extended periods, it may cause overheating or pump failure, which is why it’s important to make sure the pump is working well before it’s too late.
Why Schedule an Inspection Before Winter?
The last thing you want to do is wait until your pump fails and water is pooling in your basement before reaching out to professionals. Scheduling sump pump repairs and maintenance before the cold hits is a smart choice. This will help ensure your unit is prepared for the winter season and allow you to get services performed before the spring, a time when many companies are booked for weeks in advance. Considering how integral your sump pump is to your home, you should reach out to the professionals as soon as you think something may be wrong.
Turn To Our Team for Sump Pump Services
At Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, we feature experienced basement waterproofing experts who can perform all of the services home and business owners need to feel confident throughout the winter and beyond. We provide reliable sump pump installation and replacement, so you don’t have to worry about an aging unit not working when you need it most.
Our team is well-trained in working on a wide selection of different sump pump styles. Our customers can choose from combination sump pumps, which use both primary pumps and battery backups, submersible sump pumps, which are completely submerged in water to help prevent overheating, pedestal sump pumps, which are ideal for compact areas, and more.
Schedule Your Sump Pump Inspection Today
If you’re interested in sump pump service in PA, NJ, or DE, make Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions your first choice. We pride ourselves on our strong reputation, knowledge, and experience, with our team using the latest technology and materials, so everything gets done just right. Another way we help our customers is by offering 0% financing, free estimates, and lifetime warranties. Contact us today if you’re interested in learning more or want someone to come out and inspect your unit.
