Home Safety
How to Maintain a Sump Pump (Before You Need It)
A sump pump sits idle for months, then has one job during the worst storm of the year. Ten minutes of maintenance is the difference between a dry basement and a flooded one.
How often to check it
- Every 3–4 months: pour a bucket of water in the pit and confirm it kicks on and drains.
- Twice a year (spring & fall): full clean-out and inspection.
- Before storm season: test, plus check your backup.
- Every 7–10 years: expect to replace the pump itself.
The 10-minute inspection
- 1Unplug the pump. Clear any debris from the pit and the intake screen.
- 2Check that the float moves freely and isn't stuck against the wall.
- 3Plug it back in and pour in water until the float rises — it should start promptly and shut off after draining.
- 4Go outside and confirm the discharge line is clear and directs water away from the foundation.
- 5Make sure the check valve holds (water shouldn't flow back into the pit).
Test it the same weekend you change your clocks — an easy twice-a-year anchor you won't forget.
The backup that matters
Storms cause floods and power outages at the same time — right when your pump goes dead. A battery backup pump (or a water-powered backup) keeps the pit draining when the grid is down. If you have one, test it too; a backup you never check is a backup you don't have.
Put it on autopilot
Add your sump pump to Upkeepery and it schedules the quarterly test and the pre-season check, and reminds you before storm season — so the one appliance you can't afford to have fail is the one you actually maintain.