
Your sump pump may be out of sight and out of mind, but it will instantly grab your attention if it breaks down. Without a proper way to remove excess water from the ground around your home, your basement will quickly flood. Unfortunately, this is a common emergency plumbing problem during winter, when sump pumps are prone to freezing.
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to insulate your sump pump from the cold. As a reliable plumber in Columbus, OH, DrainMaster shares some tips and tricks below.
Protect the Discharge Pipe
The discharge pipe drains water from the sump pump basin, but if the water in the pipe freezes, it will get blocked. Your sump pump will continue trying to expel this water, causing the motor to burn out. Sump pumps are at risk of this issue if the discharge pipe is buried in shallow soil. As a rule of thumb, the pipe should be placed a minimum of 12 inches below the frost line. If this isn’t possible for some reason, seek professional plumbing services to insulate the pipe.
Keep Water Running
Running water is less likely to freeze than stagnant pools of water. Sump basins are especially at risk for freezing because they can accumulate standing water. You can keep the water in your sump pump flowing by leaving a tap on low in your home. This will also help protect your pipes from freezing during winter and avoid untimely plumbing repairs.
Disconnect the Discharge Hose
Before the first frost of winter, it’s important to disconnect any extension hoses from the sump pump’s discharge pipe. Any water in the extension hose will freeze solid when the temperature drops low enough. This can cause a serious problem for the discharge pipe, including backing up water into the sump pump basin. If your set-up requires an extension hose during winter, be sure to use one that is freeze-proof and angle it downwards, so water continues to trickle out.
Preparing your sump pump for winter is essential if you want to protect it from weather-related damage. Whether you need sump pump maintenance or repairs, you can count on DrainMaster. Our plumbing company has more than 20 years of experience and will ensure that we complete your project with speed and precision.
We are committed to earning your complete satisfaction with our work and promise to offer competitive, honest pricing for our sump pump services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.