The Purpose of a Sump Pump

Does your basement flood after a large storm? Is it always damp due to moisture underground? Along with leaving your basement feeling musky, clammy, and uncomfortable all around, excess moisture can also quickly lead to mold, mildew, and a number of other bacterial problems that will negatively affect your home, your possessions, and even your health.

Leaking and flooding in your basement or crawlspace can lead to foundation damage over time, which will in turn lead to costly repairs in the future. If the flooding problem is not addressed right away, then these resulting consequences will only continue to occur and worsen over time.

To reliably fix the problem, ensuring that basement flooding will be a thing of the past, consider looking into a professional sump pump installation. Sump pumps work by gathering any excess water in your home into a ditch (also known as a sump pit) that has been installed in your basement floor. Once the water hits a predetermined level, the sump pump will automatically dispose of the water by transferring it out of your home into a local sewer drain. This will help to not only protect your home, but also to improve its overall aesthetical and nominal value.

FINDING THE BEST SOLUTION FOR YOUR NEEDS

Roto-Rooter will assess the problem to determine which course of action can best meet your needs. We can not only recommend the right sump pump for your home or business, but can also provide you with more information on how to properly maintain your sump pump to ensure that it continues to reliably meet your needs for years to come. We can also professionally install your sump pump for you to ensure that it is properly installed to further its aesthetic and functional properties.

A basement or crawlspace flooding or leaking problem is not only a nuisance, it can actually pose a danger due to its effect on the indoor air quality. It can also lead to huge repair costs when it destroys your possessions or property, not to mention the investment of time and stress associated with the cleanup that ensues after a flood in the basement. Therefore, it is crucial that you call us as soon as possible so that we can quickly provide you with the solution you need to take care of the problem once and for all.

WHAT TYPE OF SUMP PUMP DO I NEED FOR MY HOME?

Keeping your home dry and free of water damage or mold is critical to saving on long-term costs and repairs. Sump pump systems are essential to meeting these needs by channeling groundwater into a sump pit before pumping it out to a storm drain. The sump pump’s job is to move groundwater away from the house’s foundation. However, sump pumps come in a few different types and models, and it's important to understand the differences in order to choose the one that's best for your home. Here are some of the main types of sump pumps that you can choose for your basement.

PEDESTAL

A pedestal sump pump is ideal for smaller pits where there isn’t sufficient room for a submersible pump and its piping inside the pit. Pedestal sump pumps have a motor mounted high (and dry) on a shaft sticking up well above the sump basin, making it easier to access and repair. The vertical float switch is on the part of the unit that sits down inside the pit where the water collects. It's important to ensure that the motor is mounted in an area where it won't get wet or submerged since it is not waterproof.

SUBMERSIBLE

Directly opposite of the pedestal option, a submersible sump pump sits below water level, inside the sump basin. This model is quieter and less obtrusive than the pedestal pump, and is safer if children are in the house. Overall, the submersible pump is easier to handle, operates more efficiently and lasts longer than the alternatives. Going with this option could save you money down the road as a result of better performance and longer lifespan.

EFFLUENT

Effluent pumps are often confused with sump pumps but they have a different job altogether. Effluent pumps are generally only used if a home has an effluent basin or tank. These fixtures differ from sump pumps because they remove wastewater that collects from laundry, bathroom sinks and showers. These pumps run automatically once installed, and can either be installed into the septic tank itself or a separate pump chamber. This option isn't necessary for every home, so make sure you read the label on each fixture to ensure you’re getting the pump you need.

BATTERY BACKUPS

If the power in your home ever goes out during a storm, your sump pump will stop functioning. This is where a battery backup sump pump can make all the difference to keep your house dry. Although these options may cost more upfront, they pay for themselves during critical situations. They are powered by a marine grade car/boat battery and will continue pumping away ground water from the sump pit for up to 12 hours without a recharge. They also come with alarms that will sound to alert the homeowner that they’ve taken over sump pump duties from the primary pump.

Sump pumps are absolutely essential to a basement home, but it's important to understand what sump pump type is best for your house. There are a number of options available, depending on your needs and your current plumbing infrastructure. Contact a Roto-Rooter plumbing professional to install a sump pump or consult on the model that meets your home's needs.

WHAT IS A SUMP PUMP DRAIN?

A sump pump channels all groundwater away from the home and into a discharge line or directly into a storm drain, well or retention pond. Some municipalities have dual sanitary/storm drains while others have separate lines. Before connecting your sump pump discharge directly to the sewer line, make sure you talk to the local municipal water department or the local plumbing board.

IS A SUMP PUMP RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME?

To determine if a sump pump is the right waterproofing measure for your home, there are certain things that you need to consider, including:

• Is there often a puddle of water or excess moisture in your basement after a flood?
• Do you smell a musky smell coming from your basement?
• Is your basement soaked or does the air feel clammy or heavy due to a heavy rain spell or melting snow?
• Does your basement seem to get damper and more weathered every winter?

HOW ROTO-ROOTER CAN HELP YOU

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then you likely can benefit from a sump pump installation. However, there is virtually no better way to determine if a sump pump installation is the right solution for your home than to speak with the skilled professionals at Roto-Rooter.

During your free estimate and consultation, we will not only help you to determine if a sump pump is right for your needs. We can also help you to determine what size and type of sump pump will best meet your needs, or if other supplementary measures need to be taken to cut down on any leaking problems in your basement.