Homeowner Tips for Preventing Water Damage

The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association (SSPMA) offers the following suggestions to homeowners who wish to help prevent water damage in their homes. This has been an exceptionally wet year throughout the country, contributing to costly claims for water damage.

Our non-profit trade association represents the manufacturers of sump, effluent and sewage pumps and controls, switches, floats, basins, motors and other accessories to the pumping systems. The information contained, herein, speaks for SSPMA and not for any individual manufacturer.

Frequently, homeowners don’t think about their sump pump until it’s no longer working and there’s water damage. Properly educated, there are steps they can take that will help avoid costly mishaps.

Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

Every three or four months: Clean the pump screen or inlet opening. If your sump collects the discharge from an automatic washing machine, cleaning will be required more often. Before removing the pump, be sure to disconnect the unit from electrical power and reconnect after completing cleaning. Then, pour enough water into the sump to cycle the pump and assure its proper functioning.

Annually: Remove and clean the pump. Clean the sump pit also. Unless your pump instruction manual specifies otherwise, no lubrication or other maintenance will be necessary.

Water Alarm

Install a water alarm that detects water leaks before they cause costly property damage and/or mold growth. Simple leaks from water heaters, sink drains, broken washing machine hoses (the #1 cause of water damage in homes) or clogged air conditioner drain tubes are immediately detected. Place an alarm wherever there is risk of water damage ??? utility room, laundry room, kitchen, bathroom or basement, or crawlspace.

Battery Backup Sump Pumps:

A battery-backup sump pump can help keep their basement from flooding. In the event of a power outage or mechanical failure of the AC pump, the battery-backup sump pump will begin pumping automatically.

Water Powered or Water Driven Sump Pumps:

These pumps are sometimes used in place of motor-driven sump pumps. It is important that if water powered pumps are installed that they include backflow protection devices that meet local and national plumbing codes.

Refer to this website for more homeowner information and installation/maintenance guidelines. Our site includes a list of SSPMA Certified Pumps that meet or exceed industry standards, and are listed according to, and by, the manufacturer's name and model number.