Comments for House Maintenance Advice

Comment on House Sump Pump - Have You Checked Yours Lately? by admin

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:40:05 +0000

Hi Robert, I’m not sure, which picture / setup you’re talking about :-). Your sump pump has either floating or pressure activating switch, and since it’s running constantly, the switch might be broken (both types) or suspended in the “on” position (floating type). For the floating switch, try to tap it with a wooden / plastic stick (keep your hands off the water if the pump is plugged in!), or try to push it down / under water to see if this shuts off the pump. For the pressure switch, you could try to empty the sump pump pit so the water level is below the pump bottom (disconnect the sump pump power supply when you do that), and plug it back in. If it still runs, you activating switch most likely failed. You might be able to get a replacement from the manufacturer… but it will take time.

Comment on House Sump Pump - Have You Checked Yours Lately? by ROBERT MCGILLOWEY

ROBERT MCGILLOWEY — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:00:57 +0000

I have the same type install has stated in this website and pictural. The problem is the pump will not shut off and continues to pump at a steady amount, very little . Before the pump would cycle every 5 minutes or so and pump then shut off when water was below level. Then when water came in it would cycle and pump again. I did un plug both plugs and left them unplugged until level alarm went off. Before when I did this the pump seemed to re-set the pump sequence as stated above. I looked in sump pump bucket where pump is and can’t see any problems. Could you suggest doing something to remedy the situation? Please advise asap. Thanks! Robert S. McGillowey———–e-mail mcgillowey@aol.com————781-752-6998 cell

Comment on House Sump Pump - Have You Checked Yours Lately? by admin

admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:52:46 +0000

Just follow this link - Patio Sump Pump. I might be able to give you a little more precise answer if you send me some pictures of the sump pump pit and your patio.

Comment on House Sump Pump - Have You Checked Yours Lately? by doug

doug — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:15:47 +0000

We have pit in our back contrete patio to protect against run off from our backyard. I’m concerned about the water in there freezing and cracking the patio. Is it okay to put salt in the pit to make it less likely the water will freeze? Is there a better way? Will the salt damage the pump?

Comment on Chimney Flue and Furnace / Water Heater Venting by admin

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:19 +0000

I’m not sure exactly what do you mean by “leaking” - is the chimney flue section separated in attic area, corroded, leaking at roof penetration? Whatever it is, chimney flue is repairable. Is the house worth buying? - I wouldn’t judge it based on the chimney condition, just add the repair cost to the total of this transaction and if this is the only problem with the property, you should ask your inspector for help with a final decision. Unfortunately, I didn’t see it…

Comment on Chimney Flue and Furnace / Water Heater Venting by Heather

Heather — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:59:10 +0000

Hello, I am buying a house that is 8 years old and during the inspection the it was found that the furnace flue vent needs to be replaced from the attic up. It is leaking and I am wondering if this is dangerous or if it is fixed if it is not a big deal? Curious as to whether or not the house is worth it or to move on?

Comment on House Sump Pump - Have You Checked Yours Lately? by admin

admin — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:20:48 +0000

Hi Nancy, don’t put anything into the sump pump pit, it’s just a waste of money – the pump will discharge everything onto your backyard anyway, and you’ll contaminate soil with chemicals. If you have a check valve installed above the sump pump, position the horizontal section of the discharge pipe so it slopes towards the exterior - it will drain remaining water onto the ground (otherwise it stays in the pipe and freezes). Without the check valve it doesn’t matter, after the sump pump stops operating, remaining water will either drain through the sump pump or to the exterior. The important thing is the height of the sump pump discharge pipe at the exterior wall penetration - if it is at the ground level, it will be hard to keep the ice out of it, above the snow line would be perfect but sometimes not possible (that exterior piece you’ve left should be hanging above the ground and above the snow line if possible). Some people connect sump pumps to the sewer lines (for the cold season), but (at least in Illinois) many jurisdictions forbid such installation to prevent those systems from flooding. Connecting the sump pump to your septic tank is also a very bad idea.

Comment on House Sump Pump - Have You Checked Yours Lately? by nancy

nancy — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:42:02 +0000

very good article! My ? is, I have PVC discharge pipe which extends out from back of house to the side, which i connected a flexi hose to. now that it is winter, i cut/shorten the flexi hose, however my sump pump stopped because water in hose was frozen, not sure if water in pvc froze also. i cannot bury the pvc pipe, but i plan on burying the flexi hose in spring. any suggestions how i can prevent maybe water freezing in pvc pipe? someone said you could put windshield fluid in sump pit water to prevent, would this help? also would this damage my pump? any advise would be greatly appreicated..thanks!!..i dunno wut to do

Comment on Back-Up Sump Pump - it’s Always About Taking Chances by admin

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:31:35 +0000

The idea of using single receptacle for a sump pump (it should also have its own dedicated circuit) is to prevent the pump electrical circuit from being overloaded by any other electrical devices that somebody could plug in into the extra / duplex type outlet. Using anything (splitter, extension cords) between the receptacle and the sump pump cord plug might also void manufacturers warranty or cause the pump to malfunction. Splitters and extension cords could have lower ratings / parameters than the minimum required by the sump / back-up pump manufacturer and that of a regular electrical outlet. They also (very often) become loose when plugged into the wall receptacle and under the weight of the plugs, wiring, and sometimes heavy transformers cause damage to the terminals inside the outlet, causing it to short the circuit.
That’s why sump pumps / back-up pumps are required to be plugged in directly into the electrical outlets. I would just ask for a few quotes from local electricians - if it’s just the matter of a single to duplex receptacle + double cover replacement, for an experienced professional it shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.

Comment on Back-Up Sump Pump - it’s Always About Taking Chances by Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:38:11 +0000

My sump pump is plugged into an outlet with only 1 outlet. I have recently installed a back up system, that needs to be plugged in so the battery can re charge. I don’t want to pay an electrician, so can I buy a splitter to plug into the outlet that way I will have to outlets in one?