The worst time to realize your home needs a flood prevention program is the day you discover rising water in your basement or crawl space. The damage caused by water in your home can go much further than a ruined carpet. A wet basement is the ideal breeding ground for mold.
Would your home benefit from installing a sump pump?
The short answer is yes. Any home with a basement could use help minimizing excess moisture. While all homes need protection from excessive moisture and flooding, only homes with lower levels or crawlspaces can use sump pumps.
Take a minute and read our information about sump pumps—how to know if you need one, what they do, and how they’re installed.
Do You Need One?
We live in a world of signs. People are always looking for a sign they need to take action.
Car owners watch for dummy lights on the dashboard. Parents watch for signs their child doesn’t feel well. Homeowners also watch for signs, especially when it comes to the major systems in their homes.
The first sign you need a sump pump is a previous flood in your basement. Living in a low-lying area where the soil tends to collect and retain water, or an area prone to heavy rain and snow is another.
What about the homeowner who already has a sump pump installed? You sign is the age of the unit. Sump pumps usually last about 10 years—if your is over 6 years old, it’s time to consider a replacement.
How Are Sump Pumps Installed?
Most sump pumps stand in a covered sump pit. The pit is a hole dug into the floor of your basement or crawl space. You may also hear a sump pit referred to as a sump basin.
Using a masonry saw the person who installs the pump cuts into the concrete floor. They then dig down roughly 2 feet. The sump pit is usually around 18 inches wide.
The installer will line the hole with gravel. They’ll also install pipes that drain water away from your home’s foundation.
How They Work
Sump pumps act as your first defense against basement flooding. Don’t worry, this is a relatively unobtrusive tool and you won’t even know it’s there most of the time. Instead, it stands at the ready until needed.
When the sump pit fills with water, the pump turns on and begins pumping the water through the pipe we just mentioned. It relies on valves to detect either a rising water level or pressure, which indicates water in the sump pit.
The pipe either drains into a low-lying area in your yard, a dry well, a pond, or it directs water to your neighborhood storm sewer drain. Be aware some cities have regulations about when you can direct a sump pump to drain into a storm sewer.
Wondering about the possibility of water draining back into the pit? Most drainpipes have a check valve, which prevents water from flowing back into the sump pit.
Now you know how sump pumps work, let’s look at the two types of pumps.
Different Types of Sump Pumps
You may have a choice in the type of pump installed in your home, but your professional installer will help you determine the best fit for your location. You’ll find two primary types:
Submersible
The pump we just talked about is a submersible pump. It sits down in the water in a waterproof housing. You’ll find the pump located at the bottom of the housing.
On the bottom of the submersible pump, you’ll also see a screen. The screen prevents debris from getting inside the pump where it can backup or cause damage. When it turns on, the pump sucks the water through the screen and sends it into the drainpipe.
Pedestal
It’s possible you have a pedestal pump already installed in your basement. Years ago, most homes had this type of pump. If you have one, you can’t miss it because you’ll see what looks like a long stick with a head sticking out of your basement floor.
The pedestal prevents the pump from coming in contact with water. It has an inlet pipe that reaches down into the pit and draws water out.
Take note of two things regarding pedestal pumps. Because they sit above ground with the motor exposed, they’re loud. Since the pump housing doesn’t sit in the water, you also lose the benefit of the water cooling the motor during use.
If you’re considering installing a pump, you’ll likely go with the submersible pump. For pedestal pump owners, your installer can easily replace the old pump with the submersible pump.
What if My Basement Never Floods?
Even if you’ve never had a serious flood in your basement or crawl space, you likely still experience damp conditions in your home. Here in North Carolina, we have a humid climate, which results in higher humidity levels in most homes.
If you have a damp basement it usually means you have moisture seeping in through your concrete foundation. You may not see a leak and you might never find standing water. The excess moisture still creates the potential for high humidity levels and mold development in your home.
A sump pump working in combination with a French drain system and a dehumidifier helps prevent issues caused by excessive moisture. Of course, homes with sump pumps also have that first line of defense in case the weather takes a turn and dumps an extraordinary amount of rain in your area.
Why wait for that first flood to have one installed?
Need Help Getting Rid of Excess Water in Your Home?
Whether you’re ready to replace an existing sump pump or you’re a first-time owner, don’t wait for the water to take over your home before you take action.
Hero Mold Company understands the value of a dry home. That’s why we recommend taking preventative measures now before you have problems with a damp environment, water seepage, or a major flood.
If you already have water in your home or need help with mold remediation, contact us today and let our skilled team help with a free quote!
