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April showers bring May flowers, but all this rain can also bring on some big problems for your basement if your sump pump isn’t operating properly.

Sump Pump Basics

The sump pump sits in a basin, or sump pit, in your basement (or crawl space) this is the lowest point of the space where water collects. Drains or natural water migration moves the water build-up into the sump pit, the sump pump then triggers and pumps the water up, out, and away from your house.

Most sump pumps last years, a submersible sump pump, on average, will last homeowners around 5 to 10 years.

Sump Pump Prep

To make sure your sump pump is in working order there are a few things you can do.

Test It

Every so often, grab a bucket and fill it with water. Dump the water into the sump pump pit until the sump pump activates and make sure it is pumping the water out correctly. An easy way to test the function of the sump pump.

It’s also a good idea to go outside and take a look at where the water pumps out into the yard. Make sure there is nothing blocking the pipe or hose and that the water flows freely away from your home.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

Just like your AC or furnace, annual maintenance check is recommended for the sump pump. You need this machinery to operate when the rain is pouring down and the best way to make sure all parts are in working order to keep our basement dry is to have a professional come out and inspect the unit. Don’t wait for the basement to flood before calling someone!

Consider a Back-Up Sump Pump

Instead of leaving your basement vulnerable, a battery backup sump pump is recommended to avoid any damage to your home. With a battery backup sump pump if there are any issues with the main sump pump the backup will start working before there is any damage to your home.

Call a Professional

If you aren’t sure about the reliability of your sump pump and you don’t want a flooded basement, the team at TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can check out your current pump and if necessary, install a reliable sump pump from an industry leader designed to last.

The professional plumbers at TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing have installed and repaired countless sump pumps and will give you honest advice. To schedule a sump pump repair, installation, or replacement in Downers Grove, IL, call our team at TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing at (815) 446-0593.

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
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