Every home should have some sort of drainage system set up. For some homes, it’s a simple matter of gutters and downspouts. But for homes with a basement, it’s more likely to be a sump pump or a French drain system.
Having a sump pump can be important to protect a basement from water creeping in. Regardless of which drainage system your home uses, you should always know how to properly maintain and care for that system to keep it running as smoothly as possible.
Let’s take a more detailed look at the sump pump.
Sump Pump Overview
A sump pump is a type of drainage system used in the basement. It’s designed to pump water away from the home, particularly the basement. The goal is to keep your basement dry.
Every pump is built with a basin. That basin will collect water, and at a certain level the pump kicks on to move the water from the basin. If a pump is working properly, it will be able to keep up and pump quickly.
Sump pumps are put to the test most during rainy weather, but any type of excessive moisture can cause the pump to kick in.
There Are Multiple Options
Even with a tool like a sump pump, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You want to be sure to choose the pump that will work best for your home. Working with a professional company with experience in sump pump installation can be very helpful.
Overall, you’ve got two main types of sump pumps. Among those types, there might be varying sizes and power. The two main types are:
- Submersible sump pump
- Pedestal sump pump
One of these pumps sits up on a pedestal, as the name implies. The other is submerged into the ground and it’s not quite as noticeable.
Here are the basics.
Submersible sump pumps are submerged. The pump sits down within the basin so they are less noticeable. They typically don’t clog too easily, which is helpful because the design can make it harder to clean out or maintain if you do need to get to it. These generally last around 15 years.
The other is the pedestal and as the name suggests, it sits on a pedestal. These are definitely visible. You can also close them in for aesthetics. These require some maintenance and care, but can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance.
Once It’s There, It Stays
A sump pump isn’t something that you can have installed this week and then turn around next week and decide to tear out. It doesn’t work that way. The very design and installation process is meant to be a permanent setup.
To install a sump pump, the company will drill into the ground and into your concrete basement floor. It’s a complex installation, particularly if there wasn’t a pump there before.
In addition to the pump installation, there is also the drainage system that has to be connected to the pump and set up if this is new.
Noise Alert
Sump pumps do some pretty hard work. Would you expect your toilet to flush with no noise? What about your dishwasher running with zero sound? While the sump pump is different from these things, it’s still going to make some noise when it is running.
The harder the pump is working, the noisier it will be. Since these are in your basement, the noise may never bother you. Some people choose to close them into a room or closet to help dampen the sound.
Sump pumps only run when they need to pump water, so it won’t be constant noise. Some pumps are noisier than others. It depends on the quality of the pump, how well it’s been maintained, and how hard it is working to keep up with the water flow.
Don’t Forget Maintenance
The truth is that your sump pump isn’t going to last forever. We mentioned earlier that they generally can last from 15-30 years, depending on the type of pump you have.
In general, the average lifespan of most sump pumps is closer to 10 years. Yours may last longer, but it’s good to be aware that that’s not guaranteed.
The lifespan that you can expect mainly depends on the quality of the sump pump. The other major factor is how well the sump pump is cared for and maintained through the years. Maintenance is very important!
Sump pumps need to be cleaned a couple of times a year. You could schedule your cleanings based on when your common rainy seasons are. Definitely have it cleaned before the big rainy season, and then maybe shortly after it ends.
The cleaning processes are different depending on the pump, so be sure to look up the best cleaning practices for your specific model.
Don’t ignore the cleaning and maintenance needs. This is a surefire way to end up with water in the basement.
Professional Sump Pump Installation & Care
Whether you need sump pump installation or replacement or maintenance, waterproofing services can help. Don’t wait until you have standing water in the basement to worry about your sump pump.
Let professionals help you get the best sump pump for your needs so that you don’t have to worry about water damage. It’s important to assess your needs and figure out what will be the right fit for your home.