We love our snow in Idaho, but every spring, that snow has to go somewhere. As the temperatures rise in Burley and the surrounding mountains, the ground becomes saturated with melting snow. For homeowners with basements or crawl spaces, this is the most dangerous time of year.
Your first line of defense against a flooded basement is your sump pump. It sits quietly in a pit in the floor, waiting to pump rising groundwater away from your foundation. But if it fails when you need it most, you could be coming home to an expensive mess.
At Sunrise Plumbing, we want to help you avoid the disaster. Here is how to make sure your pump is ready for the thaw.
How Does It Work?
Your home likely has a perimeter drain system that collects groundwater and guides it to a “sump pit” (a hole in your basement floor). When the water level in that pit rises, a float switch triggers the pump, pushing the water out through a pipe and away from your house.
The “Bucket Test” (Do This Now)
Most homeowners never think about their sump pump until they hear it running—or worse, until they step in a puddle. You should test your system at least once a year, preferably in late winter.
Here is the simple 5-minute test:
- Locate your sump pit.
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water.
- Slowly pour the water into the pit.
- Watch the float rise. The pump should turn on automatically, pump the water out quickly, and turn off within a few seconds.
If the water rises to the top of the pit and the pump doesn’t turn on, or if the pump makes a grinding noise but doesn’t move water, you have a problem.
The Power Outage Problem
Spring storms in Idaho often bring power outages. Unfortunately, your standard electric sump pump won’t work without electricity—right when you need it most during a heavy storm.
The Solution: Consider installing a battery backup system. This is a secondary pump that runs on a marine battery. It kicks in automatically if the power goes out or if your main pump fails, giving you hours or days of protection even in a blackout.
Don’t Wait for the Flood
A sump pump typically lasts about 7–10 years. If yours is older than that, or if it failed the bucket test, do not risk your finished basement.
Protect your home this spring. Call Sunrise Plumbing at +1 208-312-0041. We can inspect your existing pump, install a reliable replacement, or fit your home with a battery backup for total peace of mind.