Fall Basement Prep Checklist for Westchester Homes: Sump Pump, Gutters and Frozen Pipes

Late fall is a good time to get a Westchester basement ready for winter. A few hours of checks before the first hard freeze can head off a frozen sump discharge in January or a wet basement at spring thaw.

Quick diagnosis checklist

  1. Test the sump pump. Pour a bucket of water slowly into the pit until the float rises. The pump should start on its own, empty the pit and shut off. Make sure the float moves freely.
  2. Watch the discharge outside. While the pump runs, confirm water is actually coming out of the discharge pipe. WAYNE Pumps notes that a pump that runs without lowering the water level may have a frozen or blocked discharge line.
  3. Help the discharge line drain. Check that the outside line slopes away from the house so water does not sit in it between cycles, and that it empties well away from the foundation.
  4. Clean gutters and extend downspouts. Clear leaves once most have fallen and make sure every downspout empties well away from the foundation.
  5. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets. The Red Cross advises removing hoses, closing the inside valve that feeds each outdoor hose bib, then opening the outside faucet so leftover water can drain.
  6. Insulate exposed pipes. Pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, garages and along exterior walls are the most likely to freeze.
  7. Find your main water shut-off. Make sure you and everyone in the house know where it is and that it turns.
  8. Check grading and window wells. Fill low spots where soil has settled against the foundation and clear leaves from window wells.

DIY or call a pro?

Almost everything on this list is a reasonable homeowner job. Call a plumber or waterproofing contractor if the pump hums without pumping, runs constantly in dry weather, or you have no backup in a home that depends on a pump.

Frequently asked questions

When should I do fall basement prep?

Ideally before the first hard freeze. Clean gutters again after most leaves have dropped.

Can my sump pump discharge line freeze?

Yes. A line that holds water can freeze and block the pump's output; keeping it sloped and draining helps.

Sources

  1. WAYNE Pumps, Keep Your Sump Pump Discharge Line From Freezing
  2. American Red Cross, Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes

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