Any homeowner with a basement should know about sump pumps. These small but mighty machines are essential to avoiding basement flooding. Here’s a rundown of how sump pumps work and why they’re critical to any basement waterproofing system.
Sump Pump Design and Function
As the name suggests, a sump pump is a pump that removes water from your basement. The trick is, it gets rid of water before it reaches floor level.
Sump pumps are installed in a pit or basin that sits below the floor of your basement. When water starts to accumulate, a float connected to the pump senses the rising water level. It signals the sump pump to turn on and pump the water to a drainage area away from your home.
Use Sump Pumps to Avoid Wet Basement Issues
Since sump pumps sit below your basement floor, they sense when water starts to accumulate around your home’s foundation. Then, they turn on and pump the water away before it even has a chance to enter your basement.
This key design element means that your basement stays dry as long as the sump pump can keep pace with the influx of water. Keeping water out is essential in terms of avoiding immediate flooding damage as well as long-term issues like mold growth and cumulative water damage to your home’s foundation.
Types of Sump Pumps
There are different types of sump pumps on the market. Which one you choose depends on your property’s needs as well as your aesthetic preferences. The different sump pump options are:
- Submersible
- Pedestal
- Battery powered
A submersible sump pump features the motor and the pump as one piece. Both sit in the basin and get submerged when there’s excess water. They’re usually quieter than other models and they don’t take up floor space. Since they’re often underwater, though, they might not last as long as other types.
In a pedestal pump, the pump sits in the basin and the motor sits on a pedestal above the pump. This type typically lasts longer than a submersible sump pump, but it can be louder and more visible.
Both submersible and pedestal pumps run on electricity, but what happens if your power goes out? That’s where a battery-operated pump comes in. If your standard pump stops working, a battery-operated model can kick in to save the day!
If you need help choosing, installing, or servicing a sump pump in Rochester, Buffalo, or the region, call the team at BelowDry Basement Waterproofing today! We are fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind and we have over 15 years of experience providing homeowners with exceptional basement waterproofing solutions. We offer both daytime and evening appointments as well as 24/7 emergency service. We’re a family-owned company and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service. BelowDry Basement Waterproofing—Solving your wet basement problem for good!