Why a Sump Pump is Crucial for Homes with Basements

1. Why a Sump Pump is Crucial for Homes with Basements In a perfect world, all the rainwater that falls on your property would move down a gentle slope away from your home and the ground would never become saturated regardless of the amount of precipitation that falls. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world, and many homeowners with basements find themselves dealing with standing water after a heavy rain or snow melt. In these cases, a sump pump is critical for a few different reasons. What is a Sump Pump? A sump pump is a device fitted into a low-lying pit in your basement that is designed to automatically pump any standing water out of the area. The pump is fitted with a float – much like the one inside your toilet – that will trigger the motor to kick on when it rises to a predetermined level. Then, as the water is pumped out and the float falls, the motor shuts off. You should not have to activate the pump on your own, and you should not have to turn it off, but you should always have your pump checked and serviced each year to ensure it works as it should. Sump Pumps vs. Floor Drains Many homeowners believe that they do not need to install sump pumps if there are drains in the basement floor; after all, any accumulating water will simply move down the drain. It is important to remember that a sump pump is typically connected to its own drainage pipe rather than your home’s sewer lines, and this is the key factor to consider. Whereas your sewer lines can fill up during torrential rainfall and prevent water in your basement from moving through the drain as fast as it should, a sump pump has its own drainage, and that means it will always be able to remove water from your basement. What If You Don’t Have a Sump Pump? If your home has a basement that is not equipped with a sump pump, you are at risk for serious flooding and the damage it can cause. Even in an unfinished basement that you only use for storage, standing water can ruin everything in its path – including clothes, toys, decorations, furniture, and more. In a finished basement, standing water is also detrimental. Even after it drains away, the moisture left behind is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, and some forms of mold can be incredibly dangerous. If your home has a basement, it is crucial that you have a sump pump installed and maintained annually. Getting a Sump Pump Installed The best way to have a sump pump installed is to contact a professional. Sump pumps come in few different types, and some have different capacities than others. What’s more, an incorrectly-installed sump pump provides absolutely no benefit as it may not work as it should. You can contact a professional to learn more about your options, get an estimate, and get your installation completed quickly. You should view sump pump installation as an investment as it could save you tens of thousands of dollars or more in its lifetime. Living in a home with a basement has its perks, especially when you consider the extra storage and living space it provides. However, keeping it dry can be a challenge, especially during significant precipitation events. A sump pump is a crucial piece of equipment in this case, so if you don’t have one, or if yours isn’t working properly, call a professional today for installation or repair.