Learn More about Sump Pumps and Their Role in Your Home Plumbing Systems
Whenever the rainy season begins, homeowners are worried about water damage. Flood water can easily find its way to your basement or garage, wreaking havoc in your residence. Your basement is also at risk of flooding whenever you experience sewer line backups or get a leak in your water heater tank. Since most of these occurrences are out of our control, it is advisable to install a sump pump to help you deal with the effects of heavy rain or backups.
Professional Plumbers Can Typically Install a Sump Pump in One Days Time
The installation of a sump pump can generally be done in one day or less. Hiring a local plumber to install a sump pump will require an onsite assessment to determine the appropriate pump for your foundation and an examination of the best area for installation. In many scenarios, your basement floor will need to be broken up to accommodate the installation of the pump.
A sump pump is a gadget that lowers the possibility of flood damage to a home’s foundation. The sump pump removes groundwater that collects all over your basement when there is too much of it, for instance, when it rains or snow melts.
You may frequently reduce the cost of your insurance rates by purchasing a sump pump. There’s a good probability that you currently have a sump pump if your house is in a high-risk location. Most states have laws on sump pumps, particularly those in floodplains.
How Sump Pumps Work
Groundwater flows into the sump pit via a drain pipe whenever it accumulates near your home or below your basement floor. Once the water rises to a specific height, your sump pump activates. The two main ways to activate sump pumps are as follows:
- Pressure sensor – When the water pressure rises above the predetermined level, this sensor transmits information to the sump pump activating it.
- Float activator arm: This system employs a buoyant ball. The pump turns on instantly if the float activator arm goes above a specific level.
What Types Are Available?
Both primary and backup sump pumps should be present in your system. Often, primary sump pumps do the bulk of the work, while the backup pumps only step up when there is no power or a malfunction in the primary sump pump. Additionally, the backup could kick in if the primary cannot handle the water influx.
- Submersible sump pumps: these pumps have an integrated engine. They are submerged and contained inside a depression in the basement, making them difficult to see. They often occupy a smaller space, are quieter, and are less prone to obstruction. However, the appliance has lower durability compared to other varieties. Submersibles are still the best option, though, if you are worried about flooding.
- Sump pumps that stand on pillars that extend from the sump depression are known as pedestal sump pumps. These are made up of a pump and a distinct motor. The pump in the basin is connected to the motor via a pipe installed on a pedestal over the basin. Water is pushed through the depression and into the pipeline by this pump. The motor has a greater chance of survival and is simpler to repair because it is not submerged. The drawbacks include the likelihood of noise and the amount of room it consumes in the basement.