St. Louis Park Reminds Residents to Check Sump Pumps

Given the recent unseasonable and heavy rainfalls, St. Louis Park residents may have concerns about elevated levels of groundwater saturation as well as water levels in Minnehaha Creek.

The current creek level is well below 2014 levels, and officials do not anticipate a re-occurrence of 2014 levels this fall, according to a news release.

Events of 2014 affected some St. Louis Park homes not through floodwaters, but rather through issues with groundwater and soil saturation.

Some of these issues may be avoided by confirming sump pumps are operating correctly and that nothing is restricting the outflow, which will assist in keeping ahead of groundwater migration that occurs through the foundation.

Follow these steps to ensure your sump pump is working properly:

1. Locate the sump and basket in the lower level of the home.
2. Before reaching into the sump basket, disconnect the power to the pump.
3. Shine a flashlight into the basket to check for debris. It’s normal to see some water. Another important visual cue to look for is an oily sheen on the water. If you see that it might mean that your pump is leaking coolant and needs replacement.
4. Reach into the basket and locate the intake screen of the pump. Make sure it is not covered with debris. You may not be able to see the screen so feel for any debris. Clean it off if there is any blockage
5. Manually operate the float up and down to ensure it has free travel. The float is important to activate the pump if water rises within the basket.
6. Once the inspection is complete, connect power to the pump and pour water into the basket to make sure it starts. If it starts up it should operate until the float drops to normal.

Additional tips
• You may want to consider purchasing a battery backup for your sump pump, which will allow it to operate for a period of time without normal electrical service.
• Homes that are prone to significant groundwater issues are great candidates for the addition of a secondary sump as a backup to the primary unit.
• Lastly, now that fall is approaching, be sure gutters and down spouts are free of debris so they can direct water away from the home.

Community resiliency is enabled when preparation and planning are in place before a potential crisis unfolds.

Taking these simple steps to ensure your sump pump is working and that gutters and down spouts are clean may help you to avoid a larger problem.

Image: Tony Webster via Flickr /Creative Commons