Emergency?

Sump pumps usually reside in basements or crawl spaces to keep excessive water buildup to a minimum. Floods prove to be large problems for homes with basements and crawl spaces. Water leaks into these spaces because of pressure from water in the soil around a home’s foundation. Overly wet soil pushes water through the walls and floor. Additionally, soil expands and pushes against the foundation which causes cracks for water to leak through. Either way, you have a leaky basement or crawl space on your hands.

Sump pumps are installed to alleviate this problem. They sit in basins—called sump pits—that collect water at the lowest point of the space. Drains or natural water migration move water to the sump pit, then the sump pump pumps it away from your house.

When this works correctly, your basement or crawlspace remains unflooded. However, problems occur when you least expect them and cause thousands of dollars in damages. To keep water at a safe distance from the foundation, pipes have one-way valves to keep the water flow from turning back around.

In addition to the pipes, an impeller—a fan-like device—turns and forces water to the sides of the pipe. This makes its center a low-pressure area. The water moves through the pipe continuously this way. When the water remains in motion, it can’t settle near the foundation and cause leaks.

Most people who live in areas where snow, rain, or high water levels thrive need a sump pump. Of course, Colorado sees all three of these circumstances, so it’s important to understand exactly how and why your sump pump works the way it does.

Plumbers are absolutely the best contractor to assist with fixing a plumbing leak or issue however, a proper and effective sump pump replacement or upgrade should be completed by a expert basement waterproofing specialist.  While some general plumbers do work with sump pumps systems most of them aren't experts in waterproofing or basement/foundation water flow issues.  

Often times your unit will likely throw up a warning flag if it needs fixing. Many of these signs will be obvious to you, while others may be found during your annual maintenance service.

It is best to get advice from a professional if you see any of these signs, as the problem could be more severe than rust and debris. Plus, handling electronic equipment around water can be dangerous and requires special training.

Life Span

It is recommended to replace your unit every 7 to 10 years. At this point in its life, it is likely that the cost of repairs wouldn't be far behind the cost of a complete replacement. Your technician will likely recommend investing in a new one, rather than get your current one through another year and risk failure.

Rust

As with any equipment which handles water, rust can be a significant problem. Some modern pumps won't have rust issues if they are made with rust-resistant materials or are waterproofed like submersible models. Any rust that can't simply be scrubbed away could signal a weakness in the material, and the associated parts will need to be replaced.

Strange Noises 

Pedestal models will make regular noises, while submersed ones are much quieter. You're likely to notice, however, if something is off with the sound. Humming can mean that your air lock is clogged, or that your check valve or impeller is jammed. Clanging could simply mean that you need to insulate your pipe. If you have an older model, loud noises could signal a need for replacement.

Jamming 

There are a number of device components that could get stuck, either from collected debris, caught air, or lack of use. Stuck valves, which keep water from coming back into the pit from the pipe, and floaters, which detect water level, will render your pump useless until they are fixed. If your area goes through a dry spell, it is important to fill the pit with water to keep these parts from locking up. During dry spells, you may even notice an odor coming from the sump pit which could signal a need for cleaning and testing.

Wiring

It may also be that the wiring has failed. Most sump pumps are wired into your home's electrical system. We always recommend upgrading to a battery backup system in the event that you lose power during a storm to make sure water doesn't enter your basement. Your contractor can talk to you about adding backup power. Don't wait until the next big rain to have this inspected, as you will risk water damage to your basement. 

Constant Running

Debris and stuck or missing check valves can keep the motor running day and night. This could cause the motor to fail from overexertion. Similarly, if it is overloaded and cannot handle the amount of water coming into the pit, the motor may burn out. In situations like this, it may be helpful to install a second pump.

Zero Function 

If your unit isn't engaged after heavy rainfall, you should definitely have it looked at. You may have burnt-out or locked-up components which require attention, or your pump may have reached the end of its lifetime.

 It is important to schedule regular, professional maintenance to keep your system running smoothly in order to avoid water damage that could result in costly repairs.

• Cleaning: Your pump handles a lot of dirt and debris. Your maintenance technician will remove these to keep the equipment from clogging. It is very common for debris to affect the floater, preventing it from properly detecting water levels, and this will be addressed during your service. Building rust will also be rubbed away and checked for impact. The entire sump pit is cleaned and inspected during service.
• Clearing: Your technician will check the lines to make sure there aren't any obstructions so that your system doesn't have to work harder than it needs to in order to push water through.
• Testing: Water will be poured into the pit to test the system and ensure all of the parts are doing their job correctly and with the highest efficiency. The battery will also be tested for charge on equipped systems.
• Our maintenance service is $99.00 plus parts when required 

Book your maintenance appointment today! Call (719) 640-4082

 Whenever power outages or other issues stop a pump, battery backup ensures the pump continues to function. When it rains, all that water goes away from your home like usual even when the primary pump stops. Battery backup sump pumps ensure constant water removal.

Of course, the benefits of a battery backup sump pump are in excess. Here are some more reasons to invest in a battery backup.

• Cuts costs. When given the option for backups, homeowners can either use a battery backup or purchase a secondary pump. Even with a whole secondary sump pump, the only way to ensure the pump works with no electricity is through battery. Because of that, a second pump seems appealing, but it costs more in the long run if a power outage takes out both of your pumps.
• Easy installation. Battery backup sump pumps are easy to install. The process is non-invasive, so there are no drills or jackhammers that cause excessive dust and noise. It simply attaches to your already installed pump—it gets to work right away!
• Always ready. Luckily, the battery backup always carries a charge. With proper installation, it charges on its own. That means the battery backup requires almost no maintenance on your end. All you need to do is check in on the primary pump from time to time to ensure everything runs. If you spot an easy to move obstruction, get it out of the way and go about your day!
• Works around clogs. Clogs to the primary pipe cause stops to the system. A battery backup kicks into gear to pick up the slack when the primary suffers a clog. Clogs occur when exit pipes go unchecked for a period of time. To keep your primary pump functional, make sure to remove any clogs. However, that battery backup sump pump saves the day when you need it most.
• Activates when primary switch jams. Primary sump pumps can get jammed. Battery backups respond to malfunctions in the primary system, so it makes up for any problems the primary has. They do this via a float switch—just like with the primary sump pump.
• Double the power. In the worst-case scenario, your primary pump cannot adequately remove large floods of water. Sump pumps handle regular quantities of rainwater without issue, but when a flash flood or similar occurrence takes place, the primary pump needs additional help. With the battery backup sump pump, you have two pumps at work to clear the excess water. Because of this, the odds of your basement flooding become significantly less.