Is a Backup Sump Pump Worth It?
1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric of Amarillo
Is It Worth Having a Backup Sump Pump?
What are the Benefits of a Backup Sump Pump
Who Can Install and Maintain My Sump Pumps?
Sump pumps are one of those household appliances that you don't think about until it isn't working. They are an absolute necessity when it comes to protecting your home and most people don't even realize they have one. While one sump pump is typical of homes and buildings, it's becoming more and more common for houses and other structures to utilize multiple sump pumps.
If you're wanting a backup sump pump or are only now realizing that it's an option, you've come to the right place. Sump pumps are one of our many specialties and you should contact us at 1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric of Amarillo if you're in need of a replacement, servicing, or installation of one.
Take a Closer Look at the Smell
The EPA estimates that there are as many as 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows in the U.S. each year. So if your home experiences a backup, you're far from alone.
But how can you tell if that smell is your sewer when there are so many potential sources of bad smells in the average home?
Is It Just Smelly or More Than That?
Sewer backups tend to release specific gases. These include:
Hydrogen sulfide
Ammonia
Methane
In addition to smelling nasty, these gases can cause physical symptoms in people exposed to them. Common reactions include:
Headaches
Dizziness
Memory problems
Difficulty breathing
If you or other members of your household experience any of these symptoms at the same time you're noticing noxious smells, it's a good bet that you need the help of a plumbing professional right away.
Consider Other Indicators
You can also narrow down the cause of suspicious odors by looking for other common indicators of sewer problems. These include:
Gurgling sounds in your pipes or fixtures.
Visible backup in your tub, sinks, or floor drains
Visible evidence of your sewer backing up into a ditch or other above-ground outdoor spaces
Sudden or unexplained lushness in your lawn
Mold or mildew on your walls or near your pipes
Fixtures that are slow to drain
Visible leaks or moisture collection on or around the piping in your home
The appearance of or an increase in pests in or around your home
Fixture Problems
Sinks, tubs, and other fixtures that gurgle, drain slowly, or visibly back up with fluid are key indicators of potentially serious piping problems. Whenever you encounter one or more of these indicators alongside a foul smell, it's a sure sign that your sewer is at fault and you need to take action right away.
Outdoor Indicators
If you aren't sure about the source of an unwelcome smell inside your house, take a walk around your yard.
Is your lawn suddenly lush and green without explanation? Does that lushness appear in narrow bands across your lawn? If so, you almost certainly have broken piping.
If you notice new signs of pests or visible backup of water or other substances into ditches or low spots, that is also a sign you need professional help at once.
Mold and Mildew
Don't forget to look for mold and mildew, particularly in rooms that have fixtures with drains or in your basement. Both grow and thrive in damp areas, and if you start to see them where you haven't before it may be because a sewer leak is causing extra humidity or water invasion.