Home Essentials: Sump Pumps for Your Basement

Installing sump pumps in   your home is the best way to deal with flooding in your basement. The basement,   being below ground level (and below water table levels too in some areas) is prone to flooding during rainy season, or even during accidents like busted drain or water pipes during winter or summer season. Having a pump can also be a way to easily get rid of dampness that commonly happens in basements. The sump, or sump pit, is a depressed area in the basement that collects the water that has trickled down through drains or a basement waterproofing system. From the sump pit, the pumps bring the water out of the house and towards a municipal storm drain, or a dry well. Having these drainage tools is the best way to ensure that floods and other water clogging accidents are taken care of immediately, eliminating the need for hours of cleaning and mopping up in the basement when such accidents occur.

There are two common types of pumps: the pedestal pumps, which are attached right outside or above the pit, which makes them easy to repair but also take up space inside the basement. The submersible sump pumps are placed right within the sump pit, and are sealed and protected to prevent the drain water from damaging its parts

Installing these pumps can be as easy as asking an industrial designer or an engineer to include it in the construction or renovation of a home, or it can be post installed by a plumber or water technician. There are many commercial kinds and brands and which are available in hardware or plumbing stores. In some cases or brands they can even be ordered online. The sump pump and its size and pressure capabilities should match the house’s average water drainage and accumulation statistics. These can be determined by an engineer or plumber.

Sump pumps for the home require extreme care and maintenance. The main pump usually runs on electricity, or through the water pressure it accumulates when collecting drain water. But a sump pump which is used frequently might suffer from a loose float, valves may fail to close properly, or short circuiting because of inconsistent electrical charges can happen. Therefore, it should be examined and tested regularly. Parts of the pumps will require repair and/or replacement from time to time. Most pumps may also suffer damage when the water level in the basement becomes too high and it cannot handle the water pressure anymore. To take care of these problems it is always advisable to get a spare pump that runs on battery, or to have the motor run on an alternative water pressure power source, such as the municipal water pressure.