r/diy· sump_pump_sam@sump_pump_sam

Before the fall rain shows up, go pour a bucket of water into your sump pit

It's the one test that matters and almost nobody does it until the basement does it for them. Lid off the pit, pour water in slowly until the float rises, and watch. The pump should kick on, empty the pit, and shut itself off. Keep your hands out of the pit while it's plugged in. Then go outside and check that the water actually came out where it's supposed to, well away from the foundation, and not into a flower bed hugging the wall. While you're down there: fish out anything that fell into the pit over the summer, make sure the discharge line outside isn't crushed or clogged, and look at your downspouts. Every litre that comes off the roof and lands next to the foundation is a litre your pump gets to deal with twice. In a 1962 house the sump pump is the most important employee I have. It gets a performance review every September whether it wants one or not.