Friday, September 28, 2012

Basement Flooding Protection and Prevention


Depending on where you live, basement flooding could be a serious issue. Whether your home is built on low or even terrain, after a rain fall or inadequate gutters, and accumulation of water can occur. Basement flooding can be very devastating, resulting in thousands of dollars in property damage, and health risks from mold.

How to protect your basement flooding

Extended downspout 
Prevention Take a walk around your property to look for ways to redirect water away from your home. Consider extending gutter downspouts away from the foundation. Be sure to keep your gutters clean. The water needs to be able to flow to the downspouts with no obstruction in its path.

Sump pump
Sump Pumps Installing and maintaining a sump pump for your home is an important step in protecting it from basement flooding. Sump pumps eject waste water away from your home. One that is functioning properly, helps keep your home dry and safe to live in. Sump pumps are activated by a bloat that rises when the water in the pit hole rises. Once the float reaches a certain level, the sump pump automatically kicks-in and begins pumping out water. A sump pump equipped with an alarm alerts you when the water level is getting too high



Sump Pump Maintenance Properly maintaining your sump pump is essential in preventing basement flooding. Make sure that the pump is plugged in to a working power source and that the cord is in good shape. It's also important that you ensure that the pump is standing upright. The pump may vibrate when in use and if it falls or tilts, it can jam the float and not allow the sump pump to activate when needed.

Every 3-4 months, clean the pump inlet screen and dump a bucket of water into the sump pump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on. The sump pump should be removed, cleaned and inspected annually.

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Battery-Backup Sump Pumps
Sump Pump with battery backup
If your sump pump fails or the electricity goes out during a storm, it is important to have a battery-operated backup sump pump system.This system reduces that risk of basement flooding when even the most reliable sump pump fails. Investing in a backup sump pump can save you money in the future. 






Find out more about Kramer and Sons services by visiting us online at www.kramerandsonsplumbing.com

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Gas Line and Fire Pit Installation

We recently completed a project that involved the installation of a new gas line to support a gas grill and fire pit.

Inside of fire pit.





We furnished and installed new 2 inch PVC conduit and connected new piping at the existing gas meter. Also furnished and installed were new fittings, regulators and valves at each appliance in accordance with local codes. 
Lit fire pit
Owner Seth Kramer with the completed project

Grill connected to new gas line
Need a new gas line installed, or an existing line repaired? Call Kramer and Sons at (703) 360-6400 to schedule an estimate.  Visit our webpage here for more information on all of our services.