Have You Checked Out Your Sump Pit Lately?

Most of us lucky enough to own a home in Denver also have the benefit of an included basement. But, most people just never think of checking out their basement sump pit after they move in.

Here is a picture of how a typical sump pit area should look - with the standing water below the inlet pipe. (some have two foundation drain pipes that terminate in the sump pit) The important point for you as a home owner is to remember to check the water level in your pit at least every few months. If you ever find the water level rising above the bottom of the inlet drain pipes, you will want to have a sump pump installed by a professional plumber.

If foundation drain water rises above the the filler drain pipe(s) in your sump pit, your French Drain System is no longer able to properly drain water away from your foundation. You may very quickly find a flooded basement and the associated problems that go along with such an event. If your basement is finished and it floods because you forgot to monitor the water level in your sump pit, you will likely also need to deal with mold mitigation s well.

So, a word to the wise... Take a peak into your sump pit every few months. This is especially important to do in our Denver spring time since we seem to get most of our moisture during this time of year. Some owners elect to instal a water detection alarm near their sump pit to provide an audiable alarm in the event water levels begin to rise. They are very inexpensive and can be found in most area hardware and box harware stores.

Feel free to call or write me if you would like more information or a list of contractors that can assist you if you need to either install a sump pump - or even mitigate for mold and dry out your basement.