Clean Sump Pumps

MAINTENANCE: Clear sump pumps to keep basements dry
Excerpt from Real Estate: Front Door
Source: Detroit Free Press

With the rain this spring comes the risk of basement flooding.

Pete Wood, president of Rooter, MD in Livonia says one of the main culprits is faulty sump pumps.

Here are his tips to help maintain yours:

Clean all debris from the pit and the screen on the water intake of the sump pump.
Test the pump by taking the lid off and pouring about five gallons of water into the pit at one-gallon intervals. The pump should drain/pump each gallon out of the pit completely.
Make sure the outlet pipe for the pump is not plugged and that it is directing water away from the house.
Install a water-activated backup to ensure your pump works if your power is out.
Make sure the pump's electric cord and plug aren't defective. If the cord isn't working properly (or if it is unplugged) the sump pump won't work.