Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are important in basements that are flood-prone when the area gets heavy rain. These pumps remove water that gathers in a pit in a home's basement. The water generally enters the sump via a set of drains, and then is funneled into the pit, if your basement lies lower than the area's water table. Sump pumps help to get rid of dampness in your basement when your foundation is below the water table level, even if your area isn't experiencing heavy rain. A sump pump will pull water from your basement to a place where it won't create a problem, like a dry well or storm drain.

In older properties, sump pumps might be connected to a local sanitary sewer. It's against current code in most areas to do this, since the water can sometimes overwhelm the sewer system in your area. Sump pumps including those sold by Earth Movement can be wired into the electrical system of your house, and some pumps have a battery backup, in case of power failures. Some pumps are powered by a water supply that is pressurized, so these won't need hook-ups to electricity. Sump pump pits can overflow if they're not pumped out continuously, so a backup system should always be present.

There are two main types of sump pumps, those being pedestal and submersible. A pedestal sump pump has a motor mounted above the sump pit. It's easier to get to it there, for servicing, but it also stands out as an ugly part of your basement, if it's finished. Submersible pumps are mounted entirely inside the pit, and there are special sealants used to prevent short circuiting. In the United States, sump pumps consist of a plastic or metal canister forming a liner, then the pump itself, and pipes that run from the pump, through a valve, away from your house.

In typical sump pumps, check valves will allow the water to flow out of the pipes, and if the pump shuts off, the water won't be able to flow back into the sump pit. A back-up pump can help in case your original pump fails. If your sump pump isn't used very often, it may suffer a component failure, and then the backup system may fail when you need it. Have your unit tested to make sure it will work properly if your original pump happens to fail. New sump pumps and equipment can be purchased at companies like Earth Movement.

Sump pumps and tanks should always be well-maintained. Examining your equipment once a year will usually suffice, but if your pump is on a lot due to a high water table or a lot of rain, you may want to have it checked more frequently. When sump pumps are checked and cleaned, you should always remove any gravel, dirt, sand and other debris, to extend the pump's life and to increase the efficiency at which it does its job. Otherwise, debris can create an obstruction, which will decrease your pump's ability to drain the sump pit.