We receive a lot of questions from homeowners wondering if a sump pump is even necessary for their home. With decades of collective experience under our belt installing, repairing, and assessing this equipment, we’re confident of our abilities to give you an accurate answer. In reality, there are a lot of factors that determine whether your home is a good candidate for a sump pump or not. While we can’t address every homeowner’s unique situation, we can certainly offer some helpful tips and information to help you make the decision. Here, we’ll cover some fundamentals of the sump pump along with some inherent advantages.
What are sump pumps?
Even though we live and breathe sump pumps, we acknowledge that not everyone living in the Winston-Salem area is familiar with this tool. Those who already familiar with sump pumps might have been forced into quick learning after a basement flooding or other accident, so you can appreciate this more relaxed introduction.
As the name suggests, the primary function of a sump pump is to pump water that gets collected in a basin to a higher area to be discharged outdoors. A sump pump is normally found in a crawl space or basement because these areas have a higher chance of experiencing flooding and other water damage.
If you were lucky enough to purchase a house outside of a flood zone or one without a basement, then there’s a good chance that you won’t have to worry about buying a sump pump. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that homeowners who haven’t yet experienced a problem shouldn’t consider making the investment.
We always advise homeowners in this position to fix their water troubles with a plumber before considering a sump pump. If flooding becomes a common occurrence, then a sump pump might be the best option to help prevent accompanying damage. Whenever you make the decision to purchase one, we recommend purchasing a model that has excellent reviews and is of high quality.
What are some alternatives to sump pumps?
Any expert plumber from our team would be more than happy to supply you with a high-quality sump pump, but we also know that it’s not always the first choice for homeowners. There are times when relying on another solution is a better idea than jumping into this investment. After all, there’s no reason to buy a sump pump if it doesn’t get any use.
Here are a few minor changes you can make around the house that might solve your basement flooding problems without the need for a sump pump:
– Repair broken gutters or install new ones to keep water away from the base of your home.
– Make sure all of your outdoor surfaces such as pool decks, patios, and walkways are sloping away from your home to redirect rainwater.
How do you find the right sump pump?
Homeowners suffering from serious water problems that can’t be alleviated by simple changes are advised to invest in a sump pump. These tools are specifically designed to keep your home dry and free of any water damage. Let’s take a look at some tips for finding the best model to fit your needs.
If you have space for a larger sump basin, we recommend getting a submersible pump instead of a pedestal pump. A submersible pump can still function even if the sump pit has a lid on top. This greatly reduces the pump’s noise and keeps debris from obstructing the pit. Airtight lids also help prevent moist air from infiltrating your house.
Homeowners should also consider pumps with cast-iron cores instead of those that use plastic. A cast-iron option works to transfer some problematic heat to the water inside. This greatly increases the lifespan of the pump. Similarly, pumps with a screenless intake and an impeller to handle solids will help prevent clogs and further contribute to a longer-lasting pump.
We also recommend models that have mechanical switches instead of those with pressure switches. To help prevent the sump pump from becoming waterlogged or burnt out, always choose a sump pump with a solid float. This seemingly insignificant piece also helps to prevent failed switch-offs. An alarm is always a handy addition to warn you when levels are too high.
Is it necessary to have backup and secondary pumps?
If you’re in need of a sump pump, there’s a good chance that having a backup option is also a good idea. This is an especially important consideration for those who live in their basement or store valuables down there. We install backup sump pumps beside the original in order to maximize their effectiveness. Once the first one fails, the second takes over without hesitation.
To really get some peace of mind, we also advise homeowners to install a second battery just in case. Even if a storm takes out the power, you’ll still have a functioning sump pump. Depending on the battery, it might even be able to function for a few days without trouble.
If you’ve experienced any flood damage in the past, we urge you to consider purchasing a sump pump. These tools can help prevent expensive damage and time-consuming cleanup that you might come across in the future. Properly installing and fitting a sump pump is a considerable project that requires expertise and experience. If you’re living in the Winston-Salem area and would like more information about sump pump installation, feel free to call us or send a request here.
