Sump Pump Service Benefits
What Is A Sump Pump And What Are Its Benefits?
Flooding is an issue that affects many home owners and for various reasons. The primary area of concern for flooding and water damage is in a basement. The basement is more prone to flooding due to the fact that it is the lowest part of the home, which is where water will naturally flow.
Heavy rains and snow are the times of year where most people will notice higher degrees of flooding and water seeping into their basement.
It’s crucial to keep water out of the basement for reasons that can lead to water damage of the structure of your home. It can also cause mold growth which is a health hazard.
So what can you do to keep water from flooding your basement? Many homes with basements are built with a sump pump in them. If you don’t already have a sump pump installed, you will probably want to invest in having one added to your plumbing for your basement.
What is a sump pump?
The word sump refers to below ground level. And the key to a sump pump is that a pump, whether electric or hand pump, is installed for removing, or pumping excess water that has collected in your basement, out.
There are two primary types of sump pumps: submerged and pedestal. Both come equipped with an electric motor as well as a float switch. There are two main differences between the two types which are; one is installed above ground level with a pipe that runs to the bottom of a pit that has been dug to collect any water. The other sump pump will be installed at the bottom of the pit (or well), with a watertight housing unit.
How does a sump pump work?
First, the pit is dug into the floor of the basement for any water that accumulates, to collect in. This prevents it from collecting all over the basement floor. The plumber will then install a water pump into the hole with what is known as a floating switch.
This floating switch will automatically switch the pump on when the water level rises to a certain level and the pump will begin to pump the water out of the room by one of two routes:
- Pipe leading the water out and away from the house.
- Water is pumped into a municipal sewer line.
One thing to consider when having a plumber install a sump pump is that areas that are at constant risk of flooding, it is actually going against building code to wire the pump directly into the municipal sewer line. It should be drained into the septic system or piped out away from the home.
An electrician can do the wiring of the sump pump and wire it directly into your home’s electrical wiring grid.
The benefits of a sump pump speak for themselves. With a sump pump you will help keep your basement dry and free of water collection problems. This will save you on water damage issues that can be costly.
Hindsight is always 20/20, don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your home. To install or repair a sump pump in your Winchester home, call the experts of Powell’s Plumbing at 540-665-8196.
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