Category: Flooded Basement

How to Avoid Sump Pump Failure

It’s been a very wet couple of days, how’s your sump pump holding up?  If you are like a lot of people in the area, you are about to find yourself standing knee-deep in dirty rainwater. Basement flooding is an expensive and stressful side effect from all this rain we’ve been getting. This is especially true if you have a finished basement since mold can flourish in wet insulation.

The key to avoiding all of the havoc and high cost, which accompanies the hassle of a flooded basement, is to make sure your sump pump is prepared to keep up. Your poor sump pump has been working overtime and it’s time you gave it a little TLC. Most basement floods are the result of a sump pump that failed or just couldn’t handle the amount of water it was meant to pump out. Just because your sump pump hasn’t failed you so far, doesn’t mean you’re not in for a huge, messy surprise.

You can help prevent a basement flood from happening to you this summer by following the four simple steps on this checklist, meant to keep your sump pump from giving up on you:

Sump Pump Checklist

  • Screen: All sump pumps have a screen that allows water to flow through. When this screen becomes clogged, water will no longer flow through. If the water can’t flow through the screen fast enough, it will back up and overflow, causing a flood. Checking to make sure your sump pump screen is not becoming clogged will ensure that water can continue to flow freely.
  • Switch: The switch on your sump pump could be damaged or become stuck. If this happens, the switch may fail or function improperly, causing flooding issues. Checking your switch on a regular basis will clear away any debris that may become stuck to the switch and cause it to be damaged. Make sure that the switch is not being shoved against the side of the basin, helping to ensure it doesn’t become stuck.
  • sump pumpCircuit Breaker: If the circuit breaker your sump pump is connected to trips during a rain storm, your basement could flood very quickly. Prevent this from happening by making sure that your sump pump is connected to its own breaker. Don’t overload the circuit breaker with other large appliances and make sure you ground your circuit breaker with a fault interrupter.
  • Sump Pit: If the pump impeller or the discharge tube in the sump pit becomes clogged, major flooding can occur. While checking the screen, check the sump pit for mud or debris, which might cause a clog.

Still Need Help?

Taking the time to check these four items off of your sump pump checklist will really save you a lot of time and money down the road. If you’ve completed this checklist and you’re still concerned about the state of your sump pump, you may consider adding a backup. Do you have a sump pump that runs regularly or is the potential for large amounts of rain to fall in your area? Installing a backup will help keep your basement dry.

If you need help to keep your plumbing in working order, we can work with you to prevent any issues from happening. Give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or Schedule A Service with one of our plumbers!

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What Plumbers Wish You Knew

It’s likely that at some point, you’ll have to call our plumbers in: whether it’s for a leaky faucet, pipe replacement or a new bathroom in your basement. However, you can reduce likelihood of major damage. Here are some ways to reduce the number of visits from plumbers and the severity of your repairs:

Never hang anything from your pipes

The weight can break them and cause a flood. Even if you think it’s something small and light, there’s no guarantee that the pipe can withstand it. You also introduce the risk of the item snagging on a passerby and rupturing the pipe. 

Use a strainer to keep hair and other items from clogging pipes

It might seem easy to let hair and food disappear down the drain but at some point, the accumulated effect will cause it to back up your drainage system. Check drains regularly and remove any items that may have slipped past your strainers.

Be careful what you flush down the toilet

Even items labelled “flushable” like flushable baby wipes can cause a problem. Your best option is to stick to waste and toilet paper. Everything else should be discarded in the garbage. 

Avoid abrasive cleaners that can corrode your pipes

If you’re not sure what material your drain and sewage pipes are made from, have a professional take a look. Harsh cleaners can destroy piping, sometimes so slowly you don’t even know it’s happening until it’s too late. 

Turn off and drain your outdoor faucets before winter arrives

Avoid burst pipes by draining outdoor pipes that can freeze when the temperature falls. These taps have a drain valve that you open to empty the water inside the pipe. Ensure you do it before the cold weather sets in and not after the first freezing night. 

Don’t wait until a leak is severe before calling a plumber

It’s easy to procrastinate when you see the first few drips, but a small leak is much easier (and cheaper) to fix than a flooded house. Not to mention the money you’ll save on your water bill. 

Know the location of your main shutoff valve

Knowing this is not only beneficial for the plumber when he arrives, but can reduce damage if you turn off the main supply as soon as a major leak happens. Take the time to show everyone where it is to reduce the potential for a huge, costly disaster. 

If you want to read any more about what you can do about your plumbing problems, click HERE

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If you need help to keep your plumbing in working order, we can work with you to prevent any issues from happening. Give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or Schedule A Service with one of our plumbers!

How to Stay Aware and in Control of Your Home

Introducing Tiger Home Awareness Solutions

Did I forget to shut the garage door? Was my package delivered? Is my home secure? Homeownership comes with all kinds of questions, concerns and responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were a little easier? Be aware with a smart home from Tiger Home Awareness.

Tiger Home Awareness and Automation Solutions will take away many of the worries that come with owning your home. Imagine how much easier it would be to control lights and lock doors with an app on your phone? Or the peace of mind that would accompany the ability to keep an eye on children, elderly relatives or pets when you are not home. How much more secure would your home be if you could monitor and even interact with people who visit your home with a two-way camera? 

Be In Control Anywhere, Anytime

  • First, you will have control of your home’s automation through an app that you can easily install on your Smartphone.
  • Next, conveniently located cameras and sensors will allow you to monitor suspicious activity on your property and the coming and goings of visitors.
  • Furthermore, you can customize alerts that are sent to your phone, which makes it easier to stay up to date on the happenings in your home.
  • And, easily keep an eye on children or elderly relatives while you are away from home. 
  • In addition, go hands-free by utilizing voice command features. 
  • Finally, save money by increasing your home’s energy efficiency. You can save 10%-30% on your energy bills each month with a Smart Thermostat alone!

Special Product Highlights and Benefits:

Tiger Home Awareness Product Line

Video Doorbell

  • Speak to anyone visiting your home with two-way communication on demand.
  • Intelligent sound and motion detectors will alert you to suspicious activity or unwanted visitors.
  • Receive 30-second video clips to your phone immediately if an alarm is triggered.
  • Up to seven-day video, storage plans are available. Plus there is a built-in SD card for added backup storage capabilities.

 Wifi Home Protection Monitors

  • Wireless Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors will alert you to potentially dangerous situations in your home.
  • Wifi Water Leak and Freeze Detectors will provide early alerts to leaky or frozen pipes.
  • Wireless Wifi Sirens will help keep your home safe and secure when you are out and about.

Home Awareness & Automation Products

  • You will never have to worry if you left your garage door open or not, ever again!
  • Our Garage Door Controller and Sensor will allow you to be in complete control.
  • Turn your house lights off and on, using only your phone with a special app.
  • Unlock or lock your door from anywhere, with a touch of a button.
  • And Much More!

The first 3 Customers to purchase a System will receive half off the installation!
Call Now, This Deal Won’t Last!

(618) 307-4911

or feel free to check us out online at

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How to Help Prevent Expensive Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage can spell disaster for any homeowner. Clean up and repairs can be expensive and time consuming. The best strategy is to take preventative measures and protect your home from water damage.

Water Damage

Take a peek at these helpful tips to reduce your risk of water damage in your home:

1. Inspect your basement:

Take some time to head down to your basement and have a look around. Check out your walls for any cracks where water may seep in and have them repaired right away.crack-230676_960_720

While you are looking around for cracks, check for signs of existing water damage. See if you notice any leaks or water stains on the walls or floor. You will want to have this damage and its source fixed as soon as possible in order to avoid more costly repairs down the road.

2. Do not over work your water heater:

Traditional water heaters are equipped with large storage tanks. These tanks hold gallons and gallons of water, meaning even a small leak can cause a huge mess in your home. If you are still using a tanked water heater be sure to have a member of our plumbing team out to your home yearly, to inspect your system for signs of damage.

It is also recommended that you replace your water heater every 10 years or so. Since traditional water heaters only have a life expectancy of around 10 to 13 years.

3. Look up:

A leaky roof is a major cause for concern, especially when it comes to your risk of water damage. Be on the lookout for signs of damage to your roof. Loose, curling or worn out shingles are great early warning signs that your home may be at risk.

Additionally, look for cracks or signs of leaking on your ceiling. Even a small leak can lead to some major water damage to your home.

4. Do not ignore your plumbing systems:

All too often plumplumbing-840835_640bing systems get the out of sight, out of mind treatment. However, it is vital to stay up to date with plumbing maintenance. Over time, plumbing fixtures weaken or wear out, which can lead to leaks. Have your plumbing systems inspected annually to avoid unpleasant surprises and periodically check underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs of leakage.

You will also want to ensure that you have water pans under your appliances that may leak; water heaters, washing machines, air conditioners, etc.

5. Prevent basement flooding:

Life in the Midwest means wild and often unpredictable weather and heavy rainfall is common during the spring and summer months. Large amounts of rainfall can often led to basement flooding, especially if your sump pump cannot keep up. Making yearly maintenance and system checks crucial in your battle against water damage. A simple test you can perform to check the function of your sump pump is to pour five gallons of water in your sump hole. Call us right away if you notice any signs that your sump pump is not functioning properly.

You may also consider having a  backup battery added to your sump pump. Having a backup battery system will help ensure that your sump pump keeps working, even if a strong storm knocks out the power.

6. Perform simple maintenance tasks:

Make sure that your plumbing fixtures are properly caulked and sealed. Caulking is a simple task that you can perform periodically to help prevent leaks and water damage.

Do not forget to inspect and caulk around your windows as well. Improperly sealed windows will allow water and moisture to seep in and damage your home.

7. Remember, water damage is not only an inside problemrain-432770_960_720

The foundation and exterior of your home can also be at risk for water damage. Keep your gutters cleaned and make sure that your downspouts are always flowing away from your home’s foundation. Make sure any exterior drains on your property are clear from debris.

When landscaping, make sure that any top soil next to your home slopes down and away. Keep all shrubbery at least 18 inches away from your home. These steps will help keep water from damaging your homes foundation.

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If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

(866) 844-3770

or feel free to check us out online at

Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, GooglePlus and Instagram

April Showers Brings…A Flooded Basement!

April Showers Brings May Flowers is a cute saying; however, April Showers can also do a lot of damage, especially to your basement. As you know, a flooded basement is a nightmare for homeowners. All of that flood damage is a mess to clean up and expensive to repair, plus a wet basement leads to mold in your home. And if your basement is prone to flooding, you’re probably not looking forward to April Showers season. The good news is that there are several preventative measures you can take to help protect your home and your bank account from a flooded basement this April.

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-If this April is anything like what we’re used to, then we can expect heavy and frequent rains that will compromise your sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to help prevent basement flooding. The protection they offer is especially important in finished basements containing recreation rooms, offices and bedrooms. As the water table rises and falls through the seasons, the pump collects excess water and moves it away from your home’s foundation, preventing flooding or other damage. Sump pump failure is one of the main causes of basement flooding but the good news is that it is easily avoidable. A typical sump pump has a lifespan of nearly five to seven years, but as you know, appliances and vital equipment have the tendency to fail when we need them most. That is why it is extremely important to check your sump pump operations regularly. You do this by removing the cover and slowly pouring water into the sump tank. Watch for the “float” to rise and trigger the pump. Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump. This is what is called a normal sump cycle and it is how you know your sump pump is functioning properly.

If your pump does not cycle properly or you’re just not sure if your sump pump is up to the numerous April Showers ahead, contact us and we’ll gladly send one of our expert plumbers to your home to make sure your sump pump is up to the challenge of a rainy spring.

-Keep the power on. Keep in mind that your sump pump only works when the power is on. If you tend to experience frequent power outages during strong storms, it might be a good idea to have a backup generator installed or invest in a battery-powered backup sump pump, just in case.

– Make sure your foundation does not fail you. Take some time and inspect the interior walls of your basement and your exterior foundation for cracks or damage that water could seep through. If you find any cracks, they need to be repaired as soon as possible.

– Do a gutter check. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and other debris April Showers and making sure your downspouts are properly positioned, will help protect your home’s foundation from water damage. You want to ensure that your downspouts are draining water at least three feet away from your home. If your gutters are over flowing or your downspouts are not position correctly, the excess rain water will collect around your home’s foundation, causing it to erode and water will get into your basement.

– Have your sewer lines inspected and cleared if needed. Clogged and neglected sewer lines can lead to a flooded disaster during heavy rains. Our experienced team has the latest hydro-jet cleaning and camera inspection equipment. We can expertly clean your sewer lines from tree roots and debris that can clog your sewer lines before you have a major issue on your hands. Schedule your sewer line inspection appointment today and rest easy knowing that April Showers are no match for your newly cleared sewer lines.

– Invest in window well covers. If you have windows around the foundation of your home, meant to allow natural light into your basement, installing window well covers will go a long way in the fight against basement flooding. You can get clear acrylic covers, so your home is still protected from flooding and the sunlight will still be able to reach your basement. As a bonus, window well covers will also help keep pests and other debris out of your basement.

If you take these preventative measures, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the April Showers this season and dream of all of the beautiful flowers you’ll see this May!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

(866) 844-3770

or feel free to check us out online at

Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, GooglePlus and Instagram

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