What Do Sump Pumps Do?
When homeowners think about their plumbing systems, they might think about their piping, fixtures, or water heater. While these are essential plumbing components, one device that may be overlooked is a sump pump.
Sump pumps are vital equipment for keeping homes dry during major storms and preventing flooding and its effects. They automatically pump water from a sump pit away from the home to prevent flooding and water damage. This post will explain the advantages of sump pump installation, common types of sump pumps, and how to ensure they work correctly.
How Sump Pumps Benefit Homes
Sump pumps might be out of sight, out of mind for homeowners until major storms arrive. However, once water enters a home, these systems are essential for keeping homes dry and preventing flooding, especially for homes with basements. Sump pumps are beneficial for waterproofing strategies. Sump pumps remove water from a house when it accumulates in a sump pump basin. When the water level reaches a certain level, the sump pump float switch activates the pump automatically, so the home is protected even when nobody is home.
While sump pumps keep water away from homes to prevent flooding, they also offer other benefits, including helping avoid water damage and structural damage and improving the indoor air quality by reducing humidity and reducing the risk of mold and mildew, which can cause health symptoms for household members exposed to it.
Common Sump Pump Types
Two of the most common types of primary sump pumps are submersible and pedestal sump pumps. These systems both prevent flooding but have different pros and cons:
- Submersible sump pumps: A submersible sump pump has a motor submerged in the sump pit. They are more powerful than pedestal sump pumps and make less noise. However, they are usually more expensive and have a shorter lifespan.
- Pedestal sump pumps: A pedestal sump pump has a motor above the sump pit. This makes them noisier than submersible sump pumps but makes it easier for plumbers to access them for maintenance and repairs. Pedestal sump pumps also last longer and are less expensive. However, these systems are less powerful than submersible pumps.
Homeowners should also consider installing a sump pump backup to ensure their homes are protected in the event of a power outage or if the primary sump pump malfunctions.
How to Make Sure Sump Pumps Work
To protect homes during the next storm, homeowners need to ensure their sump pumps are working correctly. To do this, they should schedule routine sump pump maintenance services with a plumber so they can find and fix any issues before the sump pump is needed to prevent flooding.
Homeowners should also regularly test their sump pumps to ensure they are working. There are some easy ways for property owners to test their sump pumps. For example, they can pour a bucket of water slowly into the sump pit until the float switch activates the pump to turn on. It should then start to remove the water and then turn off automatically. This test allows homeowners to spot any issues so they can call for sump pump repair if needed.
About Plumb Perfect Plumbing
Plumb Perfect Plumbing has more than 20 years of experience serving the Fredericksburg area. They offer flat-rate prices, financing, and polite and professional service. Call them for sump pump installation and repair services in Fredericksburg, VA.
