Have Your Sump Pump Ready For Flood Season

All we did this Winter was complain about how cold it was and how much it snowed. Those sub zero days were killing us along with snow that wouldn't stop. We haven't had this much snow in years. All that snow is just sitting there. Now as the temperature rises, it's melting. Melting snow along with rain falls causes flooding. 

Nobody wants unwanted water in or near their home. Backup water puts pressure on your waste pipes. Yuck, you don't want sewage water backing into your home.

If your home has previous flooded or the neighborhood is known for flooding, you need to prepare. Sump pumps, remove accumulated water in a collecting sump base. You need to get one, if you don't already have one. If you have one, make sure it works. Monthly or quarterly fill it up with water to make sure the pump is working and draining properly. Clean around it, keep all the clutter around it to a minimal. You should also invest in a battery backup sump pump system(Zoeller Aquanet). Trust me you will be thankful. The average pump should last you around 8-10 years. Check with your home insurance, some home insurances will cover it if you are lucky.

I recommend you get a generator,  and have annual check ups on your pump. If you have any questions about your pump, or need advice you should check with a plumber. 

Living in Chicago or Chicago suburbs we are use to this weather. One day it's beautiful, the next it's a snow storm, the following it's crazy rainfalls. We all, or most of us say that we will move. We never do. We do enjoy having our eventful seasons. It keeps us entertained. Just be prepared and everything will turn out alright. If not, that's what insurance is for. Check with your insurance agent that everything is up to date. 

Please visit our website www.kevinszabojrplumbing.net

If you have any questions, email me or call me. I will be glad to help.

Kevin Szabo Jr

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Inspecting Your Sump Pump

Like most plumbing fixtures, you probably don't give much thought to your sump pump.  If it's not taken care of it can end up costing you a lot of money.  A sump pump is your last defense against basement flooding because it pumps out water from the lowest section of your basement.  As groundwater levels rise up, the water is diverted into the sump hole.  When the water reaches your sump hole, the pump begins to pump it out through a pipe that leads outside and away from your foundation.

Pump check ups should be done twice a year.  Once during the spring and once during the fall when Daylight Savings Time comes around.  Feeling daunted? Don't! It's a pretty simple task.  You fill a pail with water and you pour the water into your sump pit.  You repeated it until the pump turns on or the water level is at the top of the pit.  If the pump doesn't turn on, you got it - something is wrong and you need to call your local Mr. Rooter plumber.  If you wait not only might the repairs be an unwanted bill but anything in your basement could be damaged in the flood.

Sump pumps don't last a lifetime - but it might just be a clog.  Sometimes the float can get caught and stop the motor from working right.  There are a few other scenarios that might just be easy fixes - much easier than having to clean out a flooded basement at least.

If you don't do inspections - either by yourself or by calling a local plumber - you won't realize your pump has failed until there's a big rainstorm (or snow melt!)  All of that stuff you stored in the basement assuming it'd be safe and sound is going to be dripping wet, damaged, and likely a thriving ground for a little mold if you're not careful.  Just having the sump pump itself isn't enough - because well - like we said life happens! You can also buy and install a sump pump alarm. These alarms are designed to sound when water comes into contact with them.  If the alarm sounds, that means that your sump pump is not working and you should check it out - fast!


Have plumbing questions? Call your local Mr. Rooter plumbing specialist of Greater Syracuse New York and surrounding areas or request an appointment online. 315.472.1203

Cowboy Plumbers

Is He A Licensed Plumber?

When you search "cowboy plumber" you wont get a definition or exact description of what they look like. The last thing you want is to pay hundreds of dollars, or even worse, thousands of dollars to a cowboy plumber. A cowboy plumber is a unlicensed plumber, who doesn't fully know what they are doing. They are in a rush to just get the job done, instead of trying to do it right. Most cowboy plumbers don't know all the plumbing codes, so the last thing on their mind is following plumbing codes and rules.

Anybody can advertise that they are a plumber. Newspapers, yellow book, business listing sites, business marketing sites, don't go out of their way to find out if these so called plumbers are actually licensed plumbers. It is your job to ask the plumber to see their plumbing license.

We know at times when you are dealing with an emergency you just want to fix the problem right away. We don't blame you. You just need to do a little research before hiring a plumber. Make sure he is licensed, bonded, and insured. Look up the company's name online. Look for reviews. Ask friends and family members for a plumber that they have previously used.

After doing some quick research, have your licensed plumber come out and check your problem. Have him explain to you what the problem is and what they can do to solve it. You are the customer. As the customer, you should ask as many questions as you'd like. At the end of the day, nobody can make you do anything you don't want to do. Make sure you are making the right decision by choosing the right plumber.

Here are some plumbing nightmares. Some are quite funny.

If you need help or just have a few plumbing questions, give me a call or email me

Kevin Szabo Jr

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com