Prevent Basement Flooding with a Submersible Sump Pump

Summary:  Installing a submersible sump pump in your basement is one of the best defenses against flooding you can have.  It can save you thousands of dollars in damage, help maintain the value of your home and ultimately protect your belongings from flood damage.

Prevention, as they say is better then cure, so why not get yourself a submersible sump pump to make sure that a flooded basement is something that never happens to you!

Just imagine all the damage that a flooded basement could do. Even an inch of water can cause thousand of dollars worth of damage - wrecked carpets that have to be thrown away, damaged furniture that will never look the same again, rotten wood, damaged foundations, plumbing problems, not to mention the time and expense it can take to clear up.

Installing a sump pump has become increasingly more important, especially for people with newer houses. The reason for this is that the Federal Clean Water Act does not allow builders in many districts to divert rainwater gathering in gutters to sewerage systems. This means that this water can gather and cause flooding if it is not deposited far enough away from your foundations.

Basement flooding is also a potential and common problem for people with houses on flat ground because the rain or melting snow has no place to go except the soil. This makes the ground saturated, and pressure builds up, forcing the water into cracks in your foundation floors or walls, seeping in and causing flooding in your basement.

Installing a submersible sump pump for basements is one of the best defenses against flooding you can have. The most common cause of flooding is water building in the soil that works it's way to your basement. A submersible sump pump will pump out the water from the lowest point in your basement to make sure that the water level never reaches the basement floor.

Submersible sump pumps will detect the groundwater as it rises and before it reaches the basement floor the water will be pumped through the sump hole - a pipe that leads away from the precious foundation of your basement.

There are two main types of sump pumps on the market:

(1) The pedestal sump pump, which stands upright with a motor higher then the pump that is not meant to get wet. This type of sump pump has a float switch that is activated when the water reaches the 'critical level' and the water is diverted safely away. Pedestal sump pumps are less expensive then their submersible relatives but are very noisy.

(2) The submersible sump pump is installed in the ground and works underwater. They are also activated by a float switch but they are the better investment as they are a lot quieter, are safer and often have a longer life because their motors are sealed and therefore protected from moisture and dust.

Easy Submersible Sump Pump Maintenance

Once you have a sump pump, you will often wonder how you ever owned a home without one. It is a much needed drainage tool that will help guard both your basement and your home against water and flood damage. However, merely owning one is not enough. If it breaks down and does not work, you might as well not even have one. The results will be the same. Routine submersible sump pump maintenance is a must. There are many ways to do that, and how to keep your sump pump well maintained depends on your level of technical expertise and how much money you are willing to spend.

Many owners hire contractors or sub-contracts for their sump pump needs. If you are not mechanically inclined, this is probably your best option. Sure, it will cost more, but you will not have to worry as much. Even if you are not good with engine, motors and machines, there are still a few things you can do. Most manufacturers will suggest yearly cleaning, especially right before forecasted storms and wet weather seasons. Every few months, turn the pump on and test it. If you notice mechanical problems, then call the professionals. You never want to find a malfunction too late. That means your basement will have flooded.

So in conclusion, investing a few hundred dollars in a submersible sump pump may well save you thousands of dollars in damage, help maintain the value of your home and ultimately protect your belongings from flood damage.