If you have a wet basement, you may want to have a sump pump installed. This will relieve the water pressure from around your home’s foundation footing.
Sump pumps are simple — they take the water accumulated in a pit and eject it from the building. But failure of a sump pump or float switch can flood the basement and cost thousands in damages.
Installing a Sump Pump and Pit
With homeownership comes a slew of responsibilities that, in your younger years, you probably didn’t envision: cleaning gutters, trimming tree limbs and making sure your basement doesn’t flood. A sump pump helps you keep your basement dry by removing standing water from the area around your foundation.
A sump pump usually stands in a pit or basin that is dug into the lowest part of your basement or crawl space. The pump moves the water from the pit through pipes that run away from your home. A check valve at the pump end of the pipe prevents the water from flowing back into the pit.
Most sump pumps switch on automatically through a float activator arm or a pressure sensor that works much like the one in your toilet tank. If the switch malfunctions or gets stuck, it won’t turn on when needed. Some pumps have a backup battery or alarm that will notify you when the pump fails.
Sump Pump Maintenance
A properly installed sump pump can offer your Millburn home unmatched protection from basement flooding. A pump should be checked several times a year to make sure it works correctly. Sump pump replacement is suggested every ten years to ensure you get the best use out of it.
A battery backup system can take over when your primary pump fails. A water powered system uses your city water supply to power its backup pumping power – no batteries needed.
If you see signs of stair-step cracks, it could be time to start thinking about foundation repair. The most common cause is uneven soil settling beneath your home’s foundation. This creates stress on your walls that can lead to stair-step cracking.
Crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation is the first step to protect your crawlspace from moisture and pests. This will require removing any moisture and cleaning out the space to remove any debris and pests. A sump pump can also be installed to protect your crawlspace.
Troubleshooting a Sump Pump
There are a few things to check if your sump pump won’t turn on. First, make sure it’s plugged in. Try plugging in another device to the outlet receptacle to see if it gives off electricity, or test the sump pump cord by lifting the float switch manually and looking inside for anything that could be jamming the switch from engaging.
Some sump pumps use diaphragm switches that flip from concave to flat as the water rises and falls, while others use electronic switches that measure the pressure within the pit. It’s also a good idea to regularly flush your discharge pipe to remove any debris that may be blocking the water flow.
Most home sump pumps are plugged into an electrical power outlet, and since they’re operating near (or in) water, it’s best to use a GFCI to prevent electrocution. It’s also a good idea for homeowners to consider installing a dedicated circuit receptacle, as this will reduce the likelihood that the pump is interrupted by tripped breakers during severe storms.
Repairing a Sump Pump
If you live in an area prone to flooding, your home’s foundation may be vulnerable to water seepage. A sump pump and pit can draw floodwater from the surrounding yard and discharge it far away from your home, protecting the basement walls from moisture.
The pump motor sucks water into its interior using centrifugal force, and a fan-like device known as an impeller rotates to push out the water through a pipe. The motor may be powered by electricity or battery power. Some come with water level or flood alarms that sound locally, but can also trigger remote notification if needed.
Most pumps run on single-phase induction motors that are rated for 110-120, 220-240, or 460-volt electrical current. Plug the pump into a dedicated circuit receptacle that has GFCI protection and is not shared with any other appliances. Using an extension cord can create a dangerously high risk of electrical shock. If the pump is powered by a battery, check that it has been charged or replaced as needed.
