Winters in Montana are marked by below-freezing temperatures and plenty of snow. Since the cold temperatures keep the snow frozen throughout the winter, there’s not much need for a sump pump during this time. However, when the spring thaw begins, all of that snow will start to melt, suddenly putting your sump pump under a lot of stress. To ensure that you don’t end up with a flooded basement, here are a few tips from our crew at PJ's Plumbing & Heating to make sure your sump pump can handle the snow melt.
Check the Pit
During the winter, when there’s not much water moving through your sump pit, a thick layer of sludge can form in the water that remains. When your pump begins operating again, it may have a hard time sending this sludge down the discharge line. That’s why you’ll want to have us inspect and clean your sump pit before your sump pump turns on for the first time.
Establish Backup Power
Even as warm weather returns and the snow around your home begins to melt, there’s always a chance that another major snowstorm could move through the region and knock out power to your sump pump. This means that the snow melt will remain in your sump pit until it begins flooding your basement. That’s why we recommend having a source of backup power for your sump pump so that it can operate when your home doesn’t have power.
Inspect the Discharge Line
If you leave your discharge line on your sump pump during the winter, water in the discharge line could freeze and block the line. Therefore, as the snow begins to melt, it’s very important that you check your sump pump’s discharge line to make sure there are no ice remnants that could cause problems with drainage. If you do find ice, make sure to unplug your sump pump and thaw the discharge line before you end up with a big mess.
Helping You Keep Your Home Dry
When you need plumbing help for your home, our team at PJ's Plumbing & Heating is ready to be of assistance. Besides maintaining sump pumps, we offer a complete line of plumbing services, everything from drain cleaning to water heaters. We also perform heating and cooling maintenance, repair, and installation, including boilers. For over 40 years, we’ve been serving Belgrade, Bozeman, and the surrounding areas with the utmost professionalism. That’s the reason we continually receive five-star customer reviews. To learn more about taking care of your sump pump, contact us at PJ's Plumbing & Heating today.
