Sump Pumps - Keeping Your Basement Dry

Oct. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- Sump Pumps -  Introduction

Water in the basement can be a family’s worst nightmare. Aside from the financial consequences, standing water can cause structural damage, health hazards, and attract bugs and other critters. A sump pump is a necessity if your basement is prone to flooding in a rainstorm, or if your basement is below the level of sewer lines. However, almost any homeowner that has a below grade basement should consider having a sump pump installed as a precaution, because even an inch of water can do extensive damage.

What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is an electric pump that is installed in the basement of a home and used to pump water out of the basement. Sometimes water is drained into the house’s drainage pipe system and sometimes it is pumped outside. Sump pumps generally work in combination with a sump pit, a hole dug usually in the basement to collect water for pumping outside.

Sump pumps are generally electric, but they should have a battery backup system in case the electricity goes out, which is somewhat likely given the circumstances of sump pump use. For this reason, some sump pumps don’t use electricity at all. They use the home’s pressurized water supply. It is imperative that the pump always work, otherwise the sump pit can overflow. If the pump is electric, a backup power supply system is needed in case the primary power system fails. Many sump pumps actually come with built-in backup battery supplies. In this way, the backup can pump water out of the house for several hours even without power.

Types of Sump Pumps

There are two types of sump pumps: a pedestal or upright style and a submersible style. The pedestal style sump pump sits above the sump pit and is easier to reach and maintain. The submersible sump pump actually goes down into the sump pit itself. This makes it more difficult to reach and maintain, but it is much quieter, and is therefore recommended for finished basements. Submersibles are sealed to prevent electrical short circuits when water collects in the pit.

The pedestal sump pump is essentially a motor that is mounted on a small pedestal with a pipe running from the motor down to the bottom of the sump pit. It works much like a toilet. A float is attached to a separate metal rod connected to a switch on the pump. When the basement floods, the water starts to fill the sump pit. As the water rises, the float rises until it gets high enough to switch on the sump pump. Water is then sucked up through the pipe and into another pipe of hose that leads to your septic system or sewer system. The pedestal sump pump motor is not designed to be under water.

On the other hand, the submersible sump pump is just as it says, able to be submersed under water without doing damage to the unit. It does not have a connecting pipe that draws the water out. Instead the water is filtered right through the bottom of the sump pump. The advantage is that the bottom of the pump has a screen or filter that keeps out gravel or debris that could be sucked into the impeller of the pump. The impeller is the device that creates suction. Damaging this ruins the pump. The rising water level triggers this type of pump as well. Submersible pumps are generally more expensive and actually may have a shorter life span due to being in water all the time.

There are many high quality pumps out there to choose from. These variations of brands and styles are offered in many price ranges. Depending on the size of the house and the general amount of water that comes into the basement, a professional can recommend the proper size for your home. Sump pumps can also come in cast iron or thermoplastic, which is nearly as strong, but much lighter.

Backup Sump Pumps

Backup pumps can be battery backup or water-powered backup. Battery backups operate on 12-volt batteries. Water powered pumps use the concept of suction and are connected to the water system of the residence. Though the water-powered system is more expensive, it could prove to be the more effective solution over time. These types use water pressure to dictate if and when they should start operating, thus eliminating the worry of dead batteries, and can be more reliable.

Things to Consider When Buying a Sump Pump

When choosing a backup sump pump, or any sump pump, it is important to acquire products from a reliable manufacturer and choose the right size for your home as it can affect performance of the system. Other important considerations include pump rating, expressed in gallons per hour; water usage efficiency with water powered pumps, (one gallon of water input usually sucks two gallons of wastewater); and floater action, (A backup system should not have electrical parts for the floater. It should be stable and must not easily rub against other parts). Other considerations include covers, alarms, ease of installation, and of course, the warranty. It all depends on the needs and preferences of the user.

Properly maintained sump pumps should last anywhere between ten and fifteen years. General maintenance involves cleaning it out and removing any debris that might clog the pump. For submersibles, water needs to be run through it to check it for proper operation.

Though a sump pump is a simple device, it can be the best investment for your home you ever make.

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