Your sump pump is responsible for moving excess ground water away from your home. If your pump stops working, water could get into your basement and foundation walls, causing mold and mildew. If enough water gets in, the basement could flood.

It’s very important to test your sump pump to ensure it is working properly, especially during the rainy seasons to ensure that your pump is running smoothly, follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Make sure your pipe is clean: A clean pipe is a sign that your pump is in good condition to function correctly. Start by checking the area around the pump’s foundation to make sure that the water (if any) is being directed away from your foundation. Also, take the time now to clean any rubbish or waste that may be in the way of your pump to prevent clogging.
2. Check the pump’s electricity: Testing the pump’s electricity is key to making sure that it will in fact be able to drain the water properly. The first thing you’ll need to do is to locate the two cords: one cord is the pump cord and the other is the float cord. For this step, you’ll need to unplug the two cords, and only plug in the pump cord. This should activate the pump and you should start to hear the motor running. Once you hear it is working, reconnect the two cords and plug them in again.
3. Pour water in the pump: After completing the first two steps you’ll need to pour water into the pump’s pit in order to see if it is draining correctly. If your pump only has one cord, the water should make the float rise and then your pump should activate. Once the water is done draining make sure that the pump turns off.

After doing these simple steps you should know if your sump pump is in good shape or if you have an issue. If you do have issues with the pump, be sure to get it resolved right away. Contact your local plumber so your system is ready to face heavy rains.