Sump pumps are important appliances that can save your home from extensive water damage and flooding. Not everyone’s home needs and sump pump, but if you’ve noticed moisture in your basement floor or at the lowest level of your home, you should probably consider having one installed. Sump pumps can also be installed in crawlspaces to protect your home’s foundation.
The team at Heartland Heating, Air, and Plumbing explains when and where you should install sump pumps and how a sump pump works.
Should My Home Have a Sump Pump?
Sump pumps are more often than not a preventative measure for protecting your home’s basement or foundation. If your home currently has a sump pump, you’ll want to have it replaced every 10 years or so to make sure it is always working properly.
If you’ve just finished your basement, or you store lots of items in your basement, a sump pump is a good preventative measure to protect your belongings and furnishings. Even if you never notice any water in your basement, it’s better to have a sump pump ready if you ever experience flooding.
Homes that are in areas of lots of rain or snow annually, or are in low-lying areas are especially vulnerable to flooding. A sump pump can protect moisture from getting in your crawlspace or basement floor, which can cause mold and mildew growth as well as water damage.
If you ever notice puddles, moisture, or standing water on your basement floor or in your crawlspace, you’ll want to have a sump pump installed. Sump pumps rely on electricity for power, and if you’re in an area that is prone to power outages, you may want to have a battery backup system installed as well. This will ensure that the pump is always capable of running even if there is no power.
How Does a Sump Pump Work?
A sump pump is an appliance that sits in a sump pit. As the water level rises in the pit, the pump works to remove the water and drain it away from the foundation, often into the storm sewer.
To install a sump pump, the sump basin needs to be buried in the foundation. If you do not have a basin ready for your sump pump, you’ll need to dig one. This can be a difficult task if you have a thick cement basement floor. Before setting the basin in the hole, wrap its exterior base with filter fabric. This will prevent silt from clogging the pump motor.
Once the basin is inside the hole, put several layers of gravel inside it and lay a stone paver on top of the gravel which will provide a firm platform for the pump. You’ll need to connect a discharge pipe to the pump, which should extend outdoors to move water away from the home. The pump plug will need to be plugged into a wall to give the pump power.
Once the pump is installed, you’ll want to test it by filling the basin with water to make sure the pump works properly.
Picking The Location For Your Sump Pump To Be Installed
Does your house have both a basement and a crawl space? Maybe your home doesn’t have a basement at all, but you live in an area prone to flooding. You need a sump pump, but you’re not sure where it should be installed. Your sump pump should be installed in the lowest spot on the floor, near a wall for the discharge pipe to travel through. Sometimes the lowest point of your home could be a crawlspace or a garage if you don’t have a basement.
Ideally, if water is seeping through your foundation, it will eventually flow toward the lowest part of your house, which should be where your pump pit is. The water will accumulate in the pit and then be driven away from the house.
Sump Pump Installation Can Be Messy Business – Call Heartland For Help
Sump pump installation involves digging, expensive tools, and drilling. This is a job best trusted by professionals. The team at Heartland Heating, Air, and Plumbing can locate the ideal place for your sump pump to be located. We have the tools and experience to make sure your pump will protect your home from flooding. Call us to schedule an appointment for a sump pump installation today.