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Storm Drain Backup: What Homeowners Can and Can’t Control

  Storm Drain Backup: What Homeowners Can and Can’t Control Storm drain backups often happen when rainfall overwhelms local drainage capacity—sometimes immediately during intense storms, and other times as water accumulates in low-lying areas. While homeowners can take steps to limit damage and improve readiness, several key drivers are determined by municipal infrastructure and storm conditions.   Below is what homeowners can influence, what they can’t, and how to respond when water starts to rise.   What homeowners can control   Keep nearby inlets clear. Leaves, trash, yard debris, and sediment can clog curbside drains and reduce how quickly water moves away. Regularly clearing visible debris around storm inlet grates helps keep flow lanes open.   Maintain your property’s runoff paths. Check that downspouts, grading, and surface drainage direct water toward appropriate flows (such as a street inlet or ... Read more »
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Signs Your Sump Pump Is Failing Before It Fails

 Signs Your Sump Pump Is Failing Before It Fails

Signs Your Sump Pump Is Failing Before It Fails


A sump pump is one of those home systems you hope you’ll never need—until it stops working at the worst possible time. The good news is that many sump pump problems show up gradually. If you know what to watch for, you can address issues before they escalate into a basement flooding event.

 

1) Water isn’t going down as fast as it used to

 

One of the most common early indicators is performance decline. If your basement water level seems to rise longer between pump cycles, or it takes noticeably more time for water to be cleared after heavy rain, the pump may be struggling. Causes can include a partially clogged intake, sediment buildup, or a failing motor.

 

2) The pump runs more often than normal

 

Frequent cycling can mean the pump is being asked to do more work than usual. If the pump turns on and off rapidly, or you hear it running far more than during past storms, chec ... Read more »

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