SUPPLY AND REPAIR SUMP PUMP SYSTEM
What Is A Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a pump that is used to remove water that accumulates in a water-collecting sump basin. They’re commonly found in basements that are below the water table.
Water entering a home, due to heavy rain or high water table levels, is collected through the perimeter drains of a basement waterproofing system. The drains will funnel the water into the sump basin and the pump will then remove the collected water to the nearest drainage point.
Sump pumps are usually made of metal or plastic and are commonly submersed inside the chamber. The job of a sump pump is to direct water away from the house, to a place where it is no longer problematic, because of this, the pump will often be used in the basement of homes or areas where the water table is above the foundation level.
It is very easy for groundwater to collect in basements and crawl spaces. It will rise through cracks in your foundations and penetrate through your walls, often during long periods of rain or heavy storms.
If there is a possibility of flooding in your home, it is recommended that you have a sump pump installed. When the water level inside the chamber reaches a certain level, the pump will turn on automatically and drain the water away to a convenient drain off point.
Some pumps also have an alarm to let you know when the water level is too high. Other pumps come with a battery back-up system so they can work in the event of power failure.
How Does A Sump Pump Work?
A sump pump will be installed in the lowest part of your basement where a hole around 2 feet deep and 18 inches across is cut into your concrete floor and the pump is placed in the sump pit, also known as a sump basin.
The water will flow into the sump pit where it will be collected until the pump is activated.
A sump pump is activated by a float, similar to the one in your toilet tank, when the float rises to a set level the pump will start and the water will be pumped out of the sump basin.
The water is then taken by the pipes out of the home via a drainage point and safely discarded several feet away from the foundation of the property.
Sump pumps work really well when there is heavy rainfall, strong storms or rapidly melting snow. Instead of these weather elements flooding your home, they will be collected in the sump pit and pumped to a safe drainage area.
Choosing a Sump Pump
There are many different options for choosing a sump pump but when looking to choose which one there are a number of choices you will need to make before making your decision:
Manual or Automatic Pump
The automatic pump is predominately what most people have installed as it is more convenient than a manual pump.
The Amount of Horsepower
There needs to be a right balance of the amount of horsepower the sump pump needs to be able to deal with any potential basement flooding that could occur.
If there is too little horsepower for the motor to pump out the water, then flooding is going to be a problem. The sump pump system will not be able to deal with large amounts of water efficiently.
If the horsepower for the motor is too high, then it can run the risk of burning out. The recommended choice for a sump pump is between one-quarter to one-third horsepower.
Head Pressure
The head pressure should also be considered during the decision making process for choosing a sump pump. The head pressure is also known as the height at which the pumped water can rise to. The sump pump must allow the water to rise out of the chamber and then into the discharge pipe.
Back up and Alarm Systems
Sump pumps can stop working during a power cut, so you need a make sure that there is a battery backup system in place. A sump pump alarm is a useful attachment to let you know when the water level is rising too fast, and the property is at risk of flooding.
What are the Different Types of Sump Pumps?
There are two main types of sump pumps and these are the pedestal sump pump and a submersible sump pump. These are both designed to pump water out of the basement to prevent risk of flooding.
Pedestal Pump
The pedestal sump pump is often the more economical sump pump option. As it is mounted above the sump with an exposed motor it makes it easier for repairs to take place if needed.
The pedestal sump pump is the more visible pump, but often won’t last as long as the submersible sump pumps. There are also issues that pedestal pumps are noisy and more than likely going to overheat due to the motor being exposed.
Submersible Pump
The submersible pump is completely mounted inside the sump and sealed. This makes it the more visually appealing sump pump, but it does mean it is tricky to complete repairs if needed.
The submersible sump pump will tend to cost more than the pedestal sump pump. However, due to the motor being placed inside of the sump basin, it will last longer, be less obtrusive and quieter too.
It is important to note when choosing one of these primary sump pumps make sure you consider the following:
- Sump pump alarm
- Sump cover
- The addition of a battery backup sump pump
Battery Backup Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are powered by electricity which means that when there is a power outage, for example during a storm, that the sump pump will stop working. This is when you want the pump to work the most.
Having a battery backup pump will provide you with the extra reassurance that even when there is no mains power the sump pump will continue to work.
The way that backup sump pumps work is that when the water starts to rise in the sump chamber and the main pump does not work for whatever reason then the battery backup pump will turn on automatically. The battery backup pump will then start to pump the water out of the property.
Do I Need a Sump pump in My Basement?
Depending on where your property is located your basement may not need a sump pump installed. If your basement has never suffered from standing water and it is warm and dry on a regular basis then a sump pump would not necessarily be needed.
If your house suffers from floods or it is damp or smells musty then it is more than likely that your property is suffering from moisture finding its way through into the basement.
Working alongside waterproofing solutions, having a sump pump in your basement will not only provide you with that extra protection from flooding, but also make sure that it is a dry, habitable living space.