How to Prepare Your Sump Pump For Rainy Season

August 24, 2023

During the rainy season, your home’s sump pump does the heavy lifting to keep your basement nice and dry. To ensure your sump pump continues to operate properly and is able to protect your home from rain and snow, here are seven steps you should take to prepare for the upcoming season.

1. Remove your sump pump’s discharge hose.

Removing the discharge hose will keep water from freezing inside the hose and making it unusable, potentially causing damage, as well. You can reconnect the discharge hose once the period of cold and rainy weather has passed.

2. Don’t unplug your sump pump.

When snow melts or a rainstorm comes out of nowhere, the sump pump will keep your basement from flooding. This is why it’s important to never unplug the sump pump.

3. Have an extra discharge hose handy.

This is important for all seasons of the year, in case the primary hose freezes or breaks. If you do have an extra discharge hose, then you can choose to leave the hose attached to the sump pump. If the hose ends up freezing, then just remove it, attach the spare, and let the other hose thaw. This way, you won’t have to worry about detaching or reattaching the hose as temperatures fluctuate.

4. Clear out debris in your sump pump’s pit.

Cleaning out dirt, gunk, ice and other debris will help prevent clogs in the sump pump’s intake or discharge pipes. If your sump pump is very dirty, call Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter for professional cleaning.

5. Test your pump regularly.

Run some water through the sump pump to make sure it is working properly. When rain storms come or when snow starts to melt, you’ll be glad you took this precautionary step.

6. Make sure your discharge pipe gets rid of water away from your home.

The sump pump should discharge water at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation. If the water is disposed too close to your home, then the water could keep seeping back into the sump pump, forcing it to work continuously.

7. Keep your heat on.

Keeping the heat on can help prevent the sump pump’s pit and pipes in your basement from freezing.

If you take these seven steps, then you can rest assured that your home is ready for winter. However, if you notice any issues, don’t hesitate to give Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter a call to schedule your inspection or repair.