Winter is right around the corner and for Kansas homes with basement sump pumps, so are the potential cold-weather problems that could result in basement flooding.
Though people typically think of summertime storms as the most common cause of basement water intrusions, it is also essential to recognize the problems that come with the colder temperatures.
Understand the wintertime risks that can cause a flooded basement and why the easiest basement sump pump solution is winterization before the freezing temperatures set in.
How Does Basement Water Intrusion Happen In The Winter?
The three reasons why any home might experience basement water intrusion during the cold weather season are sporadic heavy rains, blizzards, and ice formation.
As the temperatures start to dip and the storm season passes, it is important for homeowners with basement sump pumps to realize that an occasional heavy rain, even as nighttime temperatures go below freezing, can cause flooding once the ground freezes.
Heavy snowfalls like blizzards can produce a large amount of water that cannot be absorbed into the frozen ground once that snow begins to melt.
Ice formation due to rain and snowfall can cause damage to a home foundation, allowing water to seep in through foundation cracks and defects.
Noting these possibilities, homeowners must keep their sump pump systems working correctly throughout the cold season by winterizing them ahead of time.
Winterize Basement Sump Pumps To Prevent Freezing
Sump pumps are often overlooked when homeowners perform their pre-season maintenance to prepare their homes for winter.
This critical error can result in basement water intrusion due to pump freezing, making the sump system inoperable.
The best basement sump pump solution to prevent accidental wintertime flooding is to winterize sump pumps to prevent them from freezing, keeping them at the ready should snowmelt, ice formation, or even an odd winter rainstorm become an issue.
Winterize any basement sump pump by following these simple tips:
- Never Unplug The Pump - Do not assume that basement flooding cannot happen in the winter and that the pump is not necessary. Keep it plugged in and ready to function should the need arise.
- Remove The Discharge Hose - The discharge hose that connects to the discharge pipe is the component that is most likely to freeze in winter and render the pump inoperable. Worse yet, should basement water intrusion happen and the hose be frozen, it could cause the pump to burn out as it attempts to force discharge water through the hose. Remove the hose and replace it in the spring, when the threat of freezing has passed.
- Keep Heat On In The Basement - Prevent the pump and discharge pipe as well as other plumbing from freezing by keeping the basement warm throughout the winter.
- Keep The Sump Pit Clear - Clean out the sump pit of any debris heading into winter so there is nothing to block the pump or discharge pipe.
- Test The Pump Regularly - Periodically test the pump in colder weather to ensure it is functional should basement water intrusion occur after a major snowmelt or other presence of water.
- Be Sure Discharge Pipe Drains Away - Make sure the drainage pipe that extends from inside the basement exits at a place where water drains down and away from the home foundation to make water evacuation easier and prevent foundation problems.
Winterization - An Essential Basement Sump Pump Solution
Though it is easy to assume a basement sump pump is not necessary during the cold Kansas winter, homes can still experience flooding after heavy snow, ice formation, and even an unexpected rainstorm after the ground has frozen.
The easiest way to prepare for this type of basement water intrusion is to take a few minutes to winterize sump pumps and keep them operational all year.
Prevent sump pump freezing using these easy steps and protect homes from unexpected wintertime flooding!
