Is your sump pump ready for spring storms?

A 10-minute test now can save you from a flooded basement later. Here is what to check.

Sump pump in a basement pit with a battery backup unit mounted beside it

Sump pumps sit quietly for months, then have to work perfectly during the worst storm of the year. A quick test tells you whether yours is ready.

The bucket test

Slowly pour a 5-gallon bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise, the pump should start, and the water should drain within a few seconds before the pump shuts off.

What else to check

The discharge pipe outside is clear and points away from the house
The pump is plugged into a GFCI outlet that has not tripped
There is no rattling, grinding or burning smell

Add a battery backup

Storms that cause flooding often knock out power too. A battery backup pump keeps running for hours without electricity and costs far less than a basement cleanup.

If your pump is more than 7 years old, consider replacing it before storm season.