The following is a note from a home owner for your attn. If there is any doubt or you have any questions regarding your sump pump it is highly recommended that you contact a qualified plumber to inspect your system.
WARNING TO OWNERS WITH SUMP PUMPS
If you have not had your Sump Pump serviced by a plumber within the last 2-years, then you are at risk for a sewer overflow into your furnace/basement area. Wills Creek Management company sends out a notice annually to advise owners that “maintenance of this equipment is the responsibility of each owner” and “that the sump basin should be checked annually by a qualified plumber”. This information should be taken SERIOUSLY.
As an owner who recently called a plumber when our sump pump malfunctioned (luckily no overflow damage) we learned from our plumber what can cause pump failure if not regularly serviced. Recently a neighbour was not so lucky…their alarm did not go off and this resulted in an overflow causing serious and expensive damage. Their sump had not been serviced for 8-years.
So, basically, this is how a sump works. Inside the pump pit there are 2-buoyant balls (called floats) that float on the top of the water. One float has the alarm sensor attached and the other has a sensor that will open the access to the discharge pipe where the water is flushed out. If not serviced regularly, these floats can become coated with sludge/debris that can hinder the buoyancy of the floats, preventing them from floating on top of the water. If these balls are not floating freely, it can cause a malfunction of the system. This sludge/debris can also prevent the alarm from sounding, thus causing an overflow. It is crucial that these floats be kept clean of sludge/debris in order for them to float at the top of the water level. Don’t wait for a problem to happen, get your Sump Pump serviced annually or at a minimum of every 2-years.
Sent on behalf of a concerned owner
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