What is a Sump Pump?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Your Home's Best Defense Against Water Damage!

You will almost never think about your sump pump, unless it is broken, and that is the way it should be. A sump pump has one purpose and that is to make sure you never think about it because it is doing its job perfectly of keeping your home dry and safe. So, what is a sump pump?

Below your basement is a catch basin that is designed to accumulate water from around your home so that it does not seep inside the foundation, this basin is known as a sump. When the water accumulation begins to fill the sump, a pump is used to move the water out of the basin and into a storm drain this pump, the sump pump, keeps water out of your basement, leaving it dry.

 There are different types of sump pumps, some are automatic while others need to be manually operated. There are also submersible sump pumps, pedestal, battery operated, water-powered, and a variety of other types. What type of pump you should have depends on your budget, preferences, and the environment around your house.

A sump pump is your home’s best defense against water damage. While it can’t prevent damage from broken pipes, leaks in the roof, or appliance malfunctions, a sump pump can prevent water around your home from causing any problems. Without a sump pump, your basement could have constant influx of moisture which would cause weak floors and walls, odors, and mold growth. A worst-case scenario would be a completely flooded basement because there was nothing pumping the water out.

Keeping your sump pump in proper working condition is crucial, having a broken pump is no better than not having one. Typically, a sump pump is good for 5-10 years and will either need replaced or repaired afterwards. Hopefully, once you set it in place you won’t have to think about it until after those 5-10 years, when it is time for replacement. How do you know when to replace a sump pump? If it is making unusually loud noises this could be due to several factors, including debris jams, worn out parts, or from constant use. If you are concerned about your sump pumps condition, test it by dumping water around the pump and seeing if it starts automatically and drains the water quickly. If it appears to be operating incorrectly, contact a service provider or replace it, you don’t want to wait to do this as you never know when a heavy rainfall could occur.