Sump pump not working - how to keep my basement dry?

Hey there! I'm facing a bit of a problem with my bathtub. It's draining very slowly and the water accumulation has led to the formation of an unpleasant odor in my bathroom. Based on my understanding, I believe there's a clog somewhere deep within the plumbing system, so I'm looking for ways to not only unclog it but also prevent any potential damage that it may cause to my pipes. As a homeowner, I know that addressing such issues quickly and efficiently can prevent them from escalating into bigger and costly problems. Do you have any advice on how I can go about resolving this issue without having to spend too much money?

Once, I was living in an apartment and woke up to the sound of water dripping. I looked up and saw that the ceiling was starting to bulge and I knew there was a leak somewhere above me. But unfortunately, my apartment complex was known for being slow to respond to maintenance requests and again, I didn't have much money to shell out for a emergency plumber. So, I took matters into my own hands and tried to fix the leak myself. I ended up turning off the water supply to my apartment, climbing up on the roof, and crawling through the attic until I found the source of the leak. It turns out, a pesky raccoon had chewed through one of the pipes! I was able to patch it up with some duct tape and a hose clamp and the leak stopped. I felt pretty proud of myself for being so resourceful, but also a little bit shaken up from the whole raccoon encounter.

As a homeowner, I've learned that there are few things more frustrating than a plumbing problem. But rather than wait for a professional to come to the rescue, I've found that it's often faster and more cost-effective to tackle the problem myself. With so many resources available online - from how-to guides to instructional videos - there's no reason to be intimidated by plumbing issues.