Why would you need a sump pump?

Houses located in flat or low lying areas where rain and melting snow saturate the ground often experience wet basements. Why? As water pressure builds up around the foundation of the house, it will seek the path of least resistance through cracks in walls or floors. The result…a flooded basement.

Although basement waterproofing systems are many and varied, a sump pump is most effective in controlling excessive groundwater. It collects the water from around the house or under the basement through a series of pipes that empty into a sump pit. The sump pit is placed below the lowest point in the basement, and it depends on a sump pump to expel the water and keep the basement dry. Many communities are now requiring the installation of a sump pump system in new construction.

There are two basic types of sump pump systems.

Pedestal pumps have electric motors attached to the top of a column or pedestal to keep the motor dry, while the impeller is located at the bottom of the pedestal in the sump pit. These pumps are often noisy and may not be the best choice if you will be spending a lot of time in a finished basement.

Submersible pumps are watertight electric pumps which are designed to work beneath the water. They are generally quieter and last longer than pedestal pumps because they are sealed.

Although sump pumps perform an important duty, there is no guarantee they will always work. Sump pump failures can occur when:

• The power is out
• The pump has insufficient capacity to handle the amount of water entering the sump pit
• The pump has not been installed correctly
• The check valve is stuck or not installed properly
• The float switch is stuck or not installed properly
• The pump has not been maintained correctly
• The pump is old and worn out
• The pump is clogged or seized
• The discharge pipe is clogged or frozen

There is a solution to all of these potential problems…install a battery backup sump pump system.

To learn more about a battery backup sump pump click here.