Basement Sumps
Basement Sump Pumps..What You Need to Know
Basement Sump pumps are installed particularly where flooding is seen as a problem, but are also used to remove dampness by lowering the water table under the foundation. Basement sump pumps pipe water away from the house to any place where it no longer presents a hazard, such as a municipal storm drain, dry well or drainage swale, never into you septic system!
The Basement Sump Pit
A pit, known as a basement sump pit or sump trench, can be dug at the lowest part of the basement floor to capture and contain any flowing water. A sump pump sits at the bottom of this trench (or beside it) and expels excess water through a series of interconnected pipes to a suitable discharge location. For most homes, the basement sump pit should not be less than 24 inches deep and 18 inches wide. The sump pit must be large enough to allow the pump room to work properly. While the water fills up the sump pit, the sump pump starts up, and pumps the water out of the basement. The water gets pumped either outdoors, away from the foundation of the house, or into the main water drainage system of the house.
Control Systems..A top Consideration
Control systems are electronic and have both audible and visual alarms. The sump pump check valve lets the water flow up the pipes. The valve does not allow the water to flow backwards.
Backup basement Sump Pumps protect your basement when there is a power failure or a primary pump malfunction. These pumps are installed with the switch above the level of the primary pump’s switch and are automatically activated when water reaches the level of the switch. The best battery backup systems monitor your whole sump pump with a controller and then switch your sump system from AC power to DC power when there is an interruption in power service. These controllers will then recharge the battery once AC power is restored. Audible alarms will inform you of this instance but no action is needed on your part for most systems.
Affordability of Sump Pumps
Basement sump pumps are rather affordable in nature. Their cost is nothing compared to the expense of repairing a leaking basement. Sump pumps are not only economical but also immensely useful.
Sump Pump models and sizing
Basement sump pumps are available in two basic models: upright (commonly called a pedestal) and submersible. Basement Sump Pumps are usually sold according to the horsepower of the motor. Units will come in sizes like ¼ hp, 1/3hp, ½ hp and the like. While the size of the motor counts, a more important factor to a sump pumps usefulness, is the gallons per hour that it is capable of pumping out. When basement sump pumps are too large, they remove water faster than it is able to fill the sump pit so they turn on and off repeatedly, shortening their life. Also, a sump pit must be large enough for the pump or it will short cycle, or run continuously, which may also shorten its life.
To determine if you need a basement sump pump installation, give us a call or shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you for an appointment for a Free evaluation.
