To avoid expensive flooding damage in your home, it may be worthwhile to buy a sump pump.
A sump pump is a device that collects groundwater and prevents it from flooding your basement. Here is what you need to know before buying a sump pump for your home.
What is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a device that holds accumulated groundwater from around your home’s foundation and flushes it away.
During periods of heavy rain, the new groundwater flows into a sump pit underneath your foundation, which keeps it away from your basement. When the sump pit is full, the pump gets rid of the water.
This is an essential function for keeping your basement dry and preventing the need for costly repairs.
Types of Sump Pumps
Sump pumps come in two principal variants: manual and automatic. An automatic sump pump is self-explanatory. When the pit becomes full of water, it automatically uses an electronic mechanism to flush it away and prevent flooding.
In contrast, a manual sump needs a person to switch it off and on to get rid of water. If you do not turn it on during and after heavy rain, it will not flush away the water as intended.
Sump Pump Alternatives
While it may seem intuitive that sump pumps are the only machinery that can prevent your home from flooding, there are other options that are easier to install and maintain. Sump pumps can be difficult to install, as it requires digging underneath your foundation and installing a lot of piping.
This can be beyond many people’s home maintenance budget. One alternative to installing a sump pump is an outdoor curtain drain, which is a simple but smart non-mechanical solution.
An outdoor curtain drain is simple a perforated trench that water around your home drains into, then is led to an off-side drainage pond. It does not let the water continue to seep into the ground, then into your foundation.
It is likely cheaper to install than a sump pump, which requires an electrical connection and digging deeper underground. Additionally, you can modify your gutters so that they lead water away from your foundation.
How to Choose a Sump Pump
When you are looking to choose the type of sump pump you want to install, you should take into account the benefits and drawbacks of each type. An automatic sump pump gives you the peace of mind of always draining the water in the pit without the need to turn it on physically.
However, the power consumption of this mechanism can run up your electricity bills. A manual sump pump that only works when necessary is a better option if you are cost-conscious about your energy bills.
Moreover, you should choose an option with a sump pump battery backup feature for contingency in case of a power outage, such as from 58 Foundations.
General Sump Pump FAQ’s
Q: Can a sump pump work with debris?
A: No, you should be careful about the debris that gets into your sump pump, as it can be very damaging to the mechanism.
Q: Which size of motor should I get?
A: Your motor size should match the capacity of water that you need to flush away from your home.
Q: Do I only need one sump pump?
A: Generally, you only need one, but it is beneficial to have a contingency in case of an emergency.
Sump pumps are very important for keeping your basement dry and preventing the need for exorbitant home repairs.
