Help For Flooded Greenwich, CT Homeowners After A Sump Pump Failure

Does your home have a sump pump? How much do you know about this important appliance, and what would happen if it stopped working? We hope you will never need to ask those questions, but here is what you need to know, just in case.

What Is a Sump Pump?

Sump pumps are small, submersible pumps that are installed in the lowest point of your home’s basement. Any water that might be intruding into your home starts to collect in the pit where the pump is installed. The excess water is then pumped out of your basement and away from your home through discharge pipes. They are very common in areas like Greenwich, Connecticut that see a lot of precipitation throughout the year.

How Do Sump Pumps Work?

A sump pump uses an electric motor to pull water up from the sump pit and then pump it out of your basement and away from your home’s foundation. The motor will start pumping once the water in the pit reaches a specific level, and trips a float switch or other sensor. It stops pumping when the water is at a safe level again. When your sump pump is working correctly, it is a simple and reliable way to keep your basement dry, even during big storms or periods of snow melt.

Why Do Sump Pumps Fail?

Many Greenwich homeowners rely on sump pumps to keep their basements clean and dry. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why sump pumps can fail. Here are three of the most common.

Mechanical Issues

Like any other type of machine, sump pumps can have mechanical issues. These can include improper installation, a lack of regular maintenance, and part problems like a broken or damaged impeller or float switch. Keep your sump pump well-maintained to prevent these problems.

Line Clogging

The discharge pipes that allow your sump pump to push water away from your home can also get clogged. Debris like leaves or twigs can become stuck in the pipe or even in the pump. The lines can also freeze during cold Connecticut winters. These blockages can prevent the pump from being able to move water and may cause the water to back up and the pump to fail.

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather can impact your sump pump in a couple of ways. Excessive rainfall or flooding can overwhelm the pump and cause it to fail. Additionally, if a storm causes a power outage, your sump pump will not be able to run and your basement can flood. If your sump pump gets a lot of use and your area is prone to power outages, a backup battery system for your sump pump is a good investment.

If you do experience sump pump failure, it is important to partner with a local water damage restoration professional right away. If left untreated, water damage will only get worse, and become more extensive to repair.

How To Get Help After A Sump Pump Failure

Greenwich homeowner Mark experienced a basement flood due to two large sump pumps failing. The result was almost two feet of water in their basement. This left a large amount of water damage behind, with the potential for even more damage from mold growth if they didn’t act fast.

Fortunately, Mark was connected right away to the water damage and mold remediation professionals at Riverside Restoration right away. Riverside was on-site right away, and worked daily to restore the damage to their home. Riverside was also able to partner with Mark’s homeowner’s insurance company in order to make sure the water damage was efficiently and completely restored. If you are dealing with water damage in your basement from a sump pump failure, Riverside Restoration is here to help - contact us today to learn more.

Location: Greenwich, CT

Customer Review - Mark A.