With hurricane season extending from June to November, South Carolinians are vulnerable to hurricanes for nearly half of the year.

You need to install a sump pump to protect your Charleston- or Greenville-area property from flooding and water damage if your home has:

  • A basement
  • Negative grading
  • A high water table

If you already have a sump pump, you need reliable sump pump service to be certain you’re never stuck scrambling to protect your home as a severe storm rolls in.

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a cylindrical pump installed in a pit or basin carved out below your basement floor.

The pump automatically starts when its valve senses rising water. The sump pump then pumps the floodwater through a discharge line to a safe drainage location.

Benefits of Installing a Sump Pump

If you have a sump pump when a hurricane approaches, you’ll be prepared for rapid flooding. Here’s how a sump pump can help you during and after a hurricane:

  • Prevent basement flooding: Heavy rainfall from a serious storm that doesn’t even classify as a hurricane could still easily flood your basement with 10 inches of water, ruining anything stored there and damaging the basement itself.
  • Reduce the threat of mold and mildew: Water, or even just dampness, in a basement will cause mold and mildew to grow on walls, floors, and stored objects. This damages materials and can become a health hazard for everyone in your home.
  • Prevent expensive water damage: Standing water will inevitably cause water damage, costing hundreds to thousands of dollars to fix. Not only can basement flooding damage the structure of your basement, but it can also seep into your walls and foundation, causing larger and more costly structural problems.
  • Reduce electrical fire risk: Basement flooding is a common reason for electrical fires, as standing water can start a fire by causing appliances to short circuit. If a sump pump automatically removes the water, it won’t pool in your basement and create this hazard.

How To Test Your Sump Pump

You should test your sump pump at least once a year. Check for trapped mud and clean the pump to allow water to flow freely. Sump pumps last up to 10 years. However, homeowners in coastal cities like Charleston, who use their sump pump often, may need a sump pump replacement sooner.

Here is how to test your sump pump:

  1. Inspect the pump and outlet pipe for blockages and external damage and see if the valve is functioning properly.
  2. Check the electrical components. You should plug your pump into a ground fault circuit interrupter to protect yourself from electrocution if your sump pump malfunctions.
  3. Pour 5 gallons of water around the sump pump. When the water level rises high enough, the pump should kick on. If it doesn’t, and there isn’t an obvious clog to clear, call a licensed plumber for sump pump repair.

Choose Preferred Home Services To Install or Repair Your Sump Pump

Preferred Home Services has become one of the top plumbing and HVAC companies in the Charleston and Greenville areas. We provide fast, friendly, and professional service, whether you need help with your plumbing, electrical, heating system, or air conditioner. We also offer emergency services and upfront pricing.

We are highly rated by hundreds of happy customers, and we’d be glad to help you too! At Preferred, we succeed by treating customers with the utmost respect and hiring the best technicians to do the job right.

Call us at (843) 405-3601, or get in touch online today to request sump pump installation, replacement, or repair!