April Showers Bring May Flowers – And Flooded Basements!

Unfortunately, those April showers can also bring sump pump failure! With the rain we have already had in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area the calls for water in the basement have already started.

A sump pump is a valuable tool for homeowners. So how do you know if you need one, and what do you need to do in the spring to make sure it’s operating correctly?

Do You Need a Sump Pump?

A sump pump eliminates moisture and prevents flooding. More than 60% of American homeowners have some type of moisture in their basements or crawlspaces. Many homeowners’ basements will flood at some point. Even if your basement doesn’t flood, basement moisture can lead to mold and potential health problems. Living in Minnesota where we are susceptible to excessive snow or rainfall, a sump pump can be a smart bet.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Water naturally drains into specially constructed pits (in a hole below the main surface of the basement) that house sump pumps. Most sump pumps have an automated flotation system that causes the device to turn on and begin pumping water when it reaches a certain level. The water is pumped outside through a hose, to an area where the water can drain away from your foundation. Sump pumps are powered by electricity.

Sump Pump Maintenance

It is recommended to test your sump pump from time to time to make sure it is pushing the water correctly out of the house. Here are some basic steps to make sure your sump pump is in working condition. This is especially important during spring and when heavy rainfall is in the forecast.

  • Ensure the pump is upright. If the device is tilted to one side, the float arm can become jammed and cease to operate correctly.
  • Pour a bucket of water into your pit. If the pump doesn’t start immediately, have it repaired.
  • If you have a submersible pump, remove it from the pit from time to time and clean the bottom grate (pumps can suck in rocks that may block the inlet).
  • Make sure the pipes from your pump are tightly fastened and set to drain at least 20 feet away from your foundation.
  • Check the vent hole for any blockages that could prevent water from flowing through your outlet tube.

Do You Need a Second Sump Pump?

Depending on the area you live in, a second sump pump can be a valuable backup that comes in handy if your main pump quits working or becomes overwhelmed. However, if you don’t think water levels will overrun your main pump, you might save money by investing in a water alarm that can alert you to any malfunctions.

Do you need professional assistance cleaning up water damage from a sump pump malfunction?  24Restore is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.  Our highly trained staff is here for you and ready to take on any water damage issue you may have.

 

The People ~The Equipment ~ The Expertise

 

“24Restore came within an hour of our water damage to assess the problem and restore and reconstruct our kitchen and my office. Everyone from 24Restore was professional, kind and did an outstanding job of damage assessment and restoration.”

- Barbara R.

Your service was excellent. The young man was thorough and very dedicated to completing the job. He’s a good one. I would recommend your services to anyone who need them.

- Keith

Your team has been absolutely amazing, professional, sympathetic and wonderful. They took my mess and made it manageable as I shed a few tears, which they also consoled with empathy. At a time when we have floods and tornados city wide you responded within hours. Thank, I am impressed and I have passed the word on to many.

- Genie

Very good experience……everyone I dealt with through 24 Restore was very professional and very kind.

- Nancy

This note is a note of thanks and appreciation of the services provided…..we could even say our home looks better than before we incurred our water damage…Job well done!

- Jay and Susan

I don’t often take the time to write a follow up complimentary letter. However I was very impressed with 24 Restore and felt they went above and beyond to surpass expectations with WOW service. Thank you for the great service and great job that your team did to get my house back in shape.

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Thank you for all the work put in to get out home……It would have been an impossible task for us to have accomplished in such a short time. We appreciate all that you have done for us! We are so grateful!

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Yes. I appreciated the ability to funnel all activities thru a one-stop shop proved to be very valuable in a disaster project such as ours demo, construction and finish as well as work directly with insurance company. The team has been professional and those on site have been respectful of our home and schedule.

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- Linda – Minneapolis

From the time of initial contact to the time of job completion was 24 hrs. Very pleased with job outcome. Will definitely use you again. If ever in need.

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The guys who worked here were great, polite, personable and hard workers. They did a great job! So thankful this is over!

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Working with the employees at 24restore has been an easy process. They aimed to please.

Kudos to Shelli Abraham especially, she worked with the mortgage company and insurance company so I didn’t have to, I’m a caregiver for my husband with Dementia, she took the pressure off having to deal with them, thanks Shelli.

- Sharon and Ray Kelly – Maple Grove MN
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