A sump pump is a great way to protect your home from flooding, especially if you live in an area that experiences heavy rainfall. However, installing one is a complex job best left to a professional.
You’ll want to make sure your contractor is comfortable working with electricity and plumbing. They will also need to dry out your basement or crawl space before starting.
Installation
A sump pump moves water away from the foundation of your home, protecting against flooding and reducing long-term moisture damage. It also helps to improve your indoor air quality by eliminating excess humidity. It’s a more reliable option than waterproofing treatments for basements and crawl spaces, which can develop cracks that let water in.
To install the pump, plumbers dig a pit in the lowest point of your basement or crawl space. The pit should be at least 6 feet wide, to ensure the sump pump can effectively drain your home. The plumbers add a PVC discharge line to the pump, connecting it with a GFCI-protected outlet.
They make sure the line has an air gap, which keeps the float valve from clogging and turning on the pump when the water level rises. The plumbers also test the float valve by moving it up and down, to make sure it works. They also add a check valve to prevent water from returning back into the pump when it shuts off.
Maintenance
It’s important to check your sump pump and clean it periodically. This will help ensure it works well and lasts a long time. It’s a good idea to test the pump by pouring water into the pit and watching it work. If it’s not working, there may be an issue with the float switch, the discharge pipe or an inlet screen that is blocked by silt.
The float switch is what controls when your pump will start. If it’s stuck on, the pump will continuously run and burn out the motor.
Pedestal pumps are typically longer, and the motor sits above the pit. They are less expensive than submersible sump pumps, but they are harder to access for maintenance and are more likely to break down. Having a battery backup power source can help prevent them from failing when you need them the most. This is especially useful if your home has had recent flood damage that needs to be dried.
Replacement
When a sump pump constantly cycles, it indicates that it is reaching the end of its lifespan or that it is rapidly approaching it. Continuous cycling will burn out the motor and shorten its lifespan.
A faulty float switch can also cause the pump to run continuously. Check to see if there is debris jamming the switch. A clogged discharge pipe can also prevent the pump from working. Check to make sure the discharge pipe is directing water outside away from your home.
It is important to use a pump with the correct horsepower for your home and local flooding conditions. A pump with a higher horsepower than necessary will overwork the motor and decrease its lifespan. It can even lead to premature failure of the motor. It is essential to drain a sump pump’s discharge line periodically to ensure it does not overflow into the sanitary sewer. This may require disconnecting and rerouting the discharge pipe, which will likely result in fines from your municipality.
Insurance
A quality sump pump is a great investment for your home, protecting against flooding and other damage. To keep your investment safe, you may want to consider obtaining water backup and sump pump overflow coverage with a homeowners insurance policy.
This special coverage, typically added as an Equipment Breakdown Endorsement policy, helps pay to repair or replace your sump pump if it fails. It also covers the costs of repairing and cleaning any damage caused by sump pump overflow.
In addition to a backup power source, some homeowners choose to add battery backups, water level alarms and more to their sump pumps. These will help to protect your home from damage if the power goes out or the pump fails during a storm. However, these extras add to the initial cost of the pump itself. A professional plumber will be able to advise you on the best options for your home.
