The Basement

The basement is often the most abused room in a house but it is the most important room, and here's why.

If there are problems in your basement, there will be problems everywhere else. Basements are well known for one problem in particular - water. If you are having water issues, i.e. water seepage from your walls, you can be sure all other areas will be affected.

Two very critical items for the running of your home are situated in your basement; your furnace and your sump pump. You may not think the sump pump is important, but do you service your sump pump? Do you know how? Most people don't, and if asked, they have no idea what to do to service one. Your sump pump is usually located near the interior concrete wall, in a hole in your basement floor, approximately the size of a small garbage can with a 1/2 horsepower pump to remove the water from the hole. The water comes from weeping tile around your house, which is plastic piping at the base of your exterior basement walls.

The water flows from the weepers into the sump hole. When the water reaches a certain level in the sump hole, allowing the flotation balls attached to the pump to float, the pump automatically kicks on and the water is pumped up the plastic piping to the outside, and away from your home.

This pump requires electrical power, the same as your washer and dryer, so it's important you take the time to make it is connected to an electrical outlet. To test the pump, pour buckets of water or running water from your laundry tub faucet into the hole at least once a year. If you don't do this annual testing, the consequences can be disastrous. If your pump does not turn on and begin pumping out the water you pour down that hole, call a plummer immdeiately.

If your sump pump is seized when water comes into the sump hole, it will not remove the incoming water and your basement will flood, and you could end up with thousands and thousands of dollars of damage, not to mention many personal belongings near and dear to your heart. Insurance claims will cover most of the damages, but they simply cannot replace the lost memories. DON'T wait for this to happen. Check your sump pump and service it TODAY.