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During the rainy Indiana spring, summer and fall, one of the most important pieces of equipment you can have in your home is a sump pump.

Although important, sump pumps are an underappreciated part of essential home plumbing. We get a lot of common questions about sump pumps regularly, so we wanted to share with you Chapman Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing's answers to the frequently asked plumbing and sump pump questions.

What does a sump pump do?

A sump pump's purpose is pretty straight forward: it keeps water out of your basement and home and prevents flooding. Water that builds up around the base of your home because of sloping driveways, sidewalks or patios or full gutters.

Since water flows downhill, a sump pump is installed at the lowest point in your basement or crawl space. This ensures the collection of as much water as possible. Rain water is built up in the sump pit and then pushed to the nearest retention pond or storm drain , away from the house.

How can I tell if my sump pump is working?

The best way to test if your sump pump is working (before it's too late) is to test it yourself. Fill a 5-gallon bucket of water pour it into the sump pit.

As it fills, it should active the float trigger. After a few minutes, the water should drain and the pump should shut itself off.

If you've surely activated the float trigger and no water runs, the pump continues to run well after the water has been drained or you hear any strange noises coming from the sump pump, it may be a good idea to have it looked at. Try testing it every couple months, especially if it's an older unit.

How long will a sump pump last?

The average lifespan of a sump pump is around 10 years. However, depending on how frequently it is used, checked and maintained, it can be longer or shorter than that.

If you begin to notice persisting issues such as your unit not kicking on during heavy rain or a professional diagnosis a serious issue upon inspection, this is one piece of equipment you can't afford to wait to have repaired or replaced.

The cost of a new sump pump nowhere nears comparison to the amount of money it can cost a homeowner to deal with flood damage and repair in the basement of their home.

Can I install a sump pump myself?

Even for the most experienced DIYer, the proper installation of a sump pump is a tall order.

Proper installation not only requires a good knowledge of plumbing but the right tools and knowledge to safely break through foundation and earth and then the actual installation of the plumbing.

Much like HVAC care and installation, it is highly recommended that you leave the installation of your sump pump and other plumbing equipment to the professionals like Chapman Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing.

Our service technicians aren't only properly equipped, they have expert knowledge on how to quickly, efficiently and best install your equipment to ensure it is ready to work when you need it most.