A pipe is a hollow structural section of a circular (or sometimes rectangular) cross-section, used mainly to convey substances that can flow — liquids and gases. It has many different uses.
A sump pump removes water from a basement or pit through a discharge line, which drains away from your home. Checking it regularly is important. Visit https://www.plumbing-express.com/ to learn more.
Sump pumps are designed to protect your home against flooding and water damage, but they can’t do their job if they’re working in a dirty pit. Foul odors and stagnant water are not only unpleasant but they can degrade indoor air quality, cause health problems, and contribute to a number of other issues.
Performing this simple maintenance task will help ensure that your pump is ready for duty the next time it’s needed. It can also save you money on energy bills and extend the life of your pump.
Before you begin cleaning, shut off your pump. It’s important to be able to access the equipment without getting soaked, so it’s advisable to put on some gloves and safety goggles before you start.
Remove the cover from the pit, and empty out any dirt, gravel, or other debris that has settled in. A clean pit is essential to proper operation, so it’s worth investing some time and effort to keep it pristine. Before you replace the cover, make sure that the discharge pipe is properly positioned outdoors, and that it’s draining at least 20 feet away from your house or building. Also, check that the check valve located in the discharge line moves freely and is not clogged.
Check the Pump
When you or a plumber performs the quarterly and annual maintenance, they should look over the pump and pit to check for signs of wear and damage. They should also test the float switch, alarm, backup power source and the fit of the cover. They may also pour water in the pit to test its operation and ensure that it flows freely.
They should also inspect the discharge pipe to make sure it’s not obstructed and that it carries water at least 20 feet away from your home. The pipe should also be free of residual water, which could freeze in winter and rupture the line or obstruct flow. Finally, they should remove the pump and thoroughly inspect it for corrosion. They should also clean the inlet screen and, if necessary, lubricate the bearings. They should also fill the basin with five gallons of water to check the float switch and ensure it turns on and off properly. They should then drain the sump basin to remove any debris buildup from the pump. This helps prevent debris from clogging the pump inlet and inhibiting its operation.
Test the Float Switch
As the name suggests, a float switch is used to monitor the water level in a tank. It consists of a float that moves freely on a shaft and a reed switch that is enclosed within the float, connected to a pair of wire leads. When the float rises or falls it passes by the reed switch and closes its contacts to provide a signal that a specific water level has been reached.
As with any mechanical device, a float switch can become damaged or malfunction due to various reasons including incorrect material choices, physical damage and improper use. For example, selecting a material that’s susceptible to corrosion will cause the float to fail prematurely. Another common problem is hooking the switch up to power sources that exceed its ratings. Physical damage to the float or shaft can also hinder movement and prevent it from reaching its desired position to trigger the reed switch, which can also lead to failure.
Lastly, a float switch can lose its ability to react to changes in water levels over time due to normal wear and tear. A float switch that has already been through several cycles of rising and falling in the pit can lose its accuracy or even break.
Proper installation and routine maintenance are the best ways to keep your sump pump running smoothly. Testing your float switch on a regular basis will ensure that it is functioning properly and can accurately gauge water levels. This will help prevent problems with a faulty float switch that could result in a flooded basement or an overworked pump that’s overworking itself.
To help prevent this, make sure that there’s enough room in your pit for the float switch to move freely without being hindered by debris. Regular inspection will also allow you to ensure that the float switch is positioned correctly so that it’s inactive when the pit is empty and active when it’s full. Depending on your application, you might want to consider a normally open or a normally closed float switch. Our product finder helps you select the appropriate float switch for your application by using various parameters to match you with the right one.