Do you experience recurring flooding in your basement? Do you live in an area where the foundation of your home is below the water table? If your answer is yes to both questions, have you checked if you already have a sump pump installed in your property?
A Quick Introduction About Sump Pumps
The sump pump is a device that’s usually installed in basements, specifically at the lowest point. It is responsible for the removal of the water that has accrued in the sump basin. If your basement is below the water table level in your area, water accumulates in the sump when it rains hard, when snow melts or when there’s just presence of natural groundwater. The sump pump will send the water away from your property to a place where there are no water issues such as a dry well or a municipal storm drain.
How Do Sump Systems Work?
A sump system is comprised of four major components: the outlet drain, the pump, a sump tank and the ground water collection system. The water is collected by a drain rock and will then be transported to the sump tank afterward. The sump tank is also referred to as “crock”, “basin” or “sump pit”. It can be made of tile, concrete, clay, steel, polyethylene or fiberglass and varies in size. The standard size of a sump tank is 18 inches in terms of diameter and about 2 to 3 feet in terms of depth. The tank has a hole on both sides for the incoming drain tile and they have lids. Now when the tank gets filled up with water to a specific level, a switching device automatically activates the pump. The water will then be removed from the tank and disposed to the right place through a discharge pipe or through its base. Once the task is complete, the motor will stop running.
Two Kinds Of Pumps
There are two kinds of sump pumps. A submersible pump is hidden inside the sump tank while the pedestal type protrudes from the sump tank’s cover with the help of a column. Pumps are powered by current and some also have back-up batteries that make the device run in case of a power outage.
Valuable Tips You Should Know
1. A submersible pump is preferred over a pedestal pump is there’s enough space in the sump basin in the first place. Submersible pumps allow homeowners to have the sump pit covered with a heavy-duty lid that tones down the noise as well as prevents objects and other substances or debris from getting into the pit. The cover also contributes in keeping the moist air from escaping the device and being released into your basement.
2. Sump pumps also clog. To prevent this plumbing problem, the pump should feature a no-screen design and a impellor that is capable of handling solids that are about half an inch in diameter.
3. When choosing a pump based on material, it is better to pick out one that’s made from cast iron core than one that’s made from plastic. The iron material contributes in dispersing heat to the water, thus helping in the longevity of the pump.
4. Switches can be mechanical or pressure-based but it’s better to choose the former. The float of the sump pump should be solid to avoid switch failure and pump burnout.
We hope that you enjoyed reading our blog post about basement sump pumps. If you need one installed for your home, just call the most reliable plumbing company in Avenue MD. Plumbers 911 Washington DC provides reputable plumbing services in Avenue MD including hydrojetting, mainline video inspection, backflow prevention service, drain cleaning, leak detection and many more! Call us now at (877) 932-5325 to schedule a service!
Learn more about sump pumps by watching this cool video from This Old House!
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