We believe that a sump pump is a smart idea for any home, as it helps to guard against unusually heavy rain falls, broken/overflowing gutters and exterior water pipe leakage that can get into your foundation. But, for homes set below a grade, or any home where rain run off tends to run directly toward your home, we believe sump pumps are an absolute must. In fact, in many areas, they are required by local ordinances, homeowners associations, or by home insurance providers.
While a sump pump is a reliable and relatively foolproof tool for maintaining your home, it does require regular maintenance. We generally recommend that homes with a sump pump have it checked regularly to ensure that silt has not built up in the lines, which can adversely affect your pump’s ability to continue pumping at the proper strength to properly dispel the water. Also, if your home is surrounded by old growth trees and bushes, it is important to ensure that the line has not been compromised by tree roots or other unexpected invasions.