What Are the Signs That Your Sump Pump Needs Repairs?

Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

While the rain can be a delight for your senses and mood, it can, unfortunately, wreak destruction in your homes without the right tools to prevent it. Many basements have a sump pump installed to prevent basement flooding due to rain or improper plumbing.

Sump pumps don’t have extremely long durability, with an average life expectancy of 10 years. If it hasn’t been that long since you’ve brought a sump pump and you’re wondering if it needs repairs or maintenance, here are a few signs to watch out for. 

Incorrect Installation

If your pump is switched on, but there is no water in the pit, it may be improper installation. Generally, the pump is installed at the lowest place in your basement, and if that's not the case, it won't work effectively to drain the water.

If your sump pump isn't turning on properly, or you can see signs of water in your basement, it can also be due to improper installation. Consult a licensed plumber if this is the case and get it fixed promptly. 

Strange Noises and Excessive Vibration

If weird noises are coming from your pump, the chances are that there is a broken or malfunctioning component within the pump. It could lead your pump to become jammed and unable to work.

Excessive vibration from your pump is generally due to debris that may have been sucked up with the water into the pump, which has damaged the impellers. If the impellers become damaged, your whole pump becomes unstable and may cause more problems down the line.

When it comes to components within the pump, consider getting the parts replaced by a professional instead of spending more money on buying a new one.

Running All the Time

If your sump pump is running all the time, even when there is no water, it could be a sign of a damaged switch. Since switches control whether your pump is on or off, a malfunctioning switch could cause your pump never to turn off or on.

When your pump keeps on running for long periods, it can cause it to wear out quicker and not handle incoming water when it needs to. To prevent this, replace the switch as soon as possible. 

Visible Signs of Ageing and Rusting

Excessive rust around your pump will directly affect its functioning. When water and iron combine, it is natural to have rust form, but excessive rust will cause issues with the pump's water flow.

You can buy a special solution to clear out the rust at regular intervals. It will ensure that your pump lasts you a long time with no water flow issues. 

Motor Failure

Due to a wiring problem or an electrical issue, your sump pump could completely stop working. You should check to see if all the fuses are functioning and the electricity connection is alright before calling a professional.

If you live in an area where the water cannot get drained out properly due to debris accumulation or freezing temperatures, the motor will overwork itself. If it continues doing this, it leads to motor burnout. Make sure that the water from your pump is being drained properly without any blockages. 

Frequent Electricity Cuts

If you’re experiencing electricity cuts quite frequently due to the weather, it can have a direct impact on your sump pump. It can cause your motor to fail or other components to break down from the shock of being suddenly shut down.

For preventing your sump pump from shutting down, especially at a period where you're facing rainy weather and need the basement to be dry, consider investing in a backup battery. An expert can guide you in making the right backup battery choice for the pump and even installing it.   

Clogged Pump and Stuck Switches

A clogged pump can slow down the speed of water drainage from the sump pit. If your pump is filtering through dirt and debris, the chances of it becoming clogged are higher.

Get regular inspections to ensure that your pump is not clogged or slow due to excessive debris or dirty components. 

Entrust a Professional to Get Your Sump Pump Running Again

If you’ve had your pump for seven to eight years, it might be time to consider replacing it, as around this time, most pumps start working considerably slowly and experience a lot of breakdowns.

When you’re at a loss about what to do with it, consult a professional who can explain to you the different components and help maintain the pump. Regular inspections will ensure that your basement doesn’t get flooded any time soon. 

How to Choose Outdoor Pizza Ovens

Outdoor ovens are in different designs and styles. So you need to consider certain factors when choosing one. In this buying guide, we will discuss the different things that differentiate outdoor pizza ovens. This will assist you in making an excellent choice for your garden.

Choosing an Outdoor Pizza Oven – Buying Guide

When choosing an outdoor oven, consider the following:

The Fuel Type

There are 2 types of fuel to use when making pizza in the garden: wood and gas. Wood is a traditional and very popular option, but gas ovens are becoming popular too. When using a wood oven, you need to gather timber. This may seem straightforward, but there are some wood types that you cannot use to cook. You can click here to learn about them.

Pellets/wood chippings and hardwoods are suitable, but if the wood was treated or colored, the chemicals in them may contaminate your food. Also, cooking with wood requires tending to the fire to prevent it from burning out or escalating into something hazardous. Although wood ovens require a high level of maintenance, they cook food faster. They also infuse good flavors from the smoke into the food. 

Gas ovens, on the other hand, are easy to light since there is no need to get wood. You also do not need to bother about controlling the fire. As a result, you can carry out other activities while waiting for the food to cook properly. Gas also ensures that your pizza cooks at a consistent temperature, so you are sure that one side of the food won’t cook faster than the other.

Although gas ovens are reliable, they take a longer time to heat and do not add the kind of flavor that wood adds to food. However, both gas and wood have advantages and disadvantages. Hence, you need to decide on which one will serve you better.

The Materials Used in Producing Them 

In this section, you want to consider the materials used in creating the oven. Since it is a piece of outdoor equipment, you should ensure that the walls are well insulated to sustain the inner temperature when cooking. The entire equipment should be able to maintain heat to allow the pizza to cook evenly.

When you are cooking pizza, it will stay on the floor of the oven. If the oven only gets hot at the top, only the top side of your food will cook. And no one adores a soggy pizza base with crispy toppings. 

When choosing ovens according to the materials they are made of, consider the following:

• Refractory tiles on the floor of the oven.
• Stone and brick for larger and heavier outdoor events. But ensure you cure the brick before using it to remove moisture.
• Stainless steel walls for weatherproofing and better insulation. But you need to ensure that they do not rust due to the weather condition outdoors.

The Size and Style

Even if you are not concerned about your oven’s aesthetics, you want something that will blend with the theme of your garden. Also, different styles have different cooking benefits and purposes. For instance, the dome-shaped style is larger and you can cook several dishes in it at the same time. It is also very decorative.

Additionally, you need to consider your outdoor space. Can your garden contain a large oven and still have enough space for guests? Usually, people who use larger ovens do so for commercial purposes. Therefore, if you want a model for home use, a lightweight model with wheels will be good. You can easily move it to your garage after use.

There are no guidelines when it comes to choosing a style or size of an oven. If you prefer a large oven, whether you are cooking for just family members or the entire community, it is up to you to decide. Just ensure you choose equipment that will give you the kind of result you want. You can visit https://artisanpizzaovens.net to learn more about the other styles of pizza ovens available on the market.

Conclusion

Pizzas are easy to make and you can customize the recipe to suit your taste. So if you love pizza, you can go ahead and get an outdoor oven that will give you the pleasure of making your favorite meal at home. There are many types to choose from depending on your budget, size, and fuel type, among other factors.