Watch Your Water
While we've had a rather hot and dry summer, we all know that Colorado's weather patterns are about as predictable as a roulette wheel. That means any day now we could see a thunderstorm roll over the Rockies and bring us some much-needed moisture, but before that happens you want to make sure your sump pump is in tip-top shape -- it could save your basement.
Some of you might be wondering, 'what exactly is a sump pump and why do I need one?'
On many homes in Colorado, there is a drainage system around the foundation that allows water to flow into a collection tank, the sump pump then pumps the water outside of the house. That means if your sump pump fails your basement could be getting damp or wet -- depending on where you live -- even if it doesn't rain. If it does rain, however, then you might need to put on your swim trunks to rescue keepsakes from the basement.
That's why it's important to regularly monitor the function of your sump pump. Generally, sump pumps have a float (it kind of looks like the one in your toilet) that activates the pump. All you have to do is either fill the bucket up with water and watch your pump work or put some water in there and pull up on the float. Still, there's a possibility that your discharge pipe has been clogged or you have an electrical issue.
So if you're unsure, or you find that something isn't working properly, call your local plumber immediately. At the very least have all of your plumbing systems inspected once annually, including the sump pump.
We realize it's something you don't always think of or care to do, but making regular checks a simple habit that can really save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
