A working sump pump can protect your home from flooding and water damage. It can also help you save on energy bills.
Stair-step cracks in your basement walls are a sign of more serious foundation problems. Addressing them early with the Montclair foundation experts from Blue Umbrella can prevent costly repairs and keep your family safe.
Installing a Sump Pit
A sump pump helps prevent damage to your basement floor and foundation by removing excess water. A pit is dug into your basement floor and a quality pump installed to your specifications. When the pump runs, it moves water to the standpipe with a screw- or fan-like device called an impeller that uses centrifugal force. A check valve stops water from flowing back toward the sump pit.
If you hear rattling noises from the pump while it is operating, it could be clogged with dirt or debris. Try spraying the pump with a garden hose to loosen any material.
If you’re concerned about mold, wood rot and pests under your home, installing a sump pump can help protect against these issues. It can also save you money by preventing the need for expensive French drains.
Installing a Sewage Pump
Many sewage pumps come equipped with a check valve to prevent backflow. This is especially important if you’re planning to connect the pump to your septic system, which could otherwise cause a backup of waste that could damage your home’s foundation or your basement.
Most sewage pumps also include a discharge line that can be buried in your yard or directed away from your house. This is important for preventing the pump from draining too much water into the sewer and causing problems with your city’s wastewater treatment system.
Sewage pumps also have a float switch that activates when the pump’s basin reaches a certain level. This can be controlled manually by lifting or lowering the float switch, or it may be automatically activated via an electronic or mechanical float arm. If the sewage pump is plugged into a dedicated circuit, it should have GFCI protection to avoid false tripping during severe storms. It should also be connected to a sewage alarm that can sound locally or alert you remotely over a smartphone app.
Installing a French Drain
A french drain is a system that redirects water away from your home’s foundation. It can help prevent basement flooding and moisture damage. It can also be used to protect your yard from excessive soil moisture that contributes to weeds and other plant growth.
The biggest drawback of an exterior French drain is that the ground around your house will need to be dug up and anything on top of it will need to be removed (such as patios, sidewalks, decks, or driveways). This adds significantly to the cost.
If you are planning to build a new home, a French drain can be installed during construction to save on labor and material costs. They are more effective than interior systems and can reduce the cost of repair and restoration. Adding a sump pump can improve the effectiveness of an exterior French drain and make it more cost-effective. It can help prevent the clogging and overflow of the pit that can lead to expensive repair bills.
Sump Pump Maintenance
If you have a sump pump and pit, regularly inspect it to make sure everything is working as it should. Checking and replacing floats and pumps as needed prevents over-working your system, saves money on utility bills, and protects your home.
Value Dry is your local basement waterproofing contractor specializing in French drain sump pit installation, basement repair and mold remediation services, crawlspace encapsulation and crawlspace moisture management. We provide transparency and reliability in permanent foundational repairs with a lifetime warranty.
When water enters your basement in Upper Montclair, we have the solutions to prevent further damage. Our foundation repair experts will analyze the problem and determine if a sump pump is required to prevent water entry into your basement. If the problem is only in one spot, a sump pit will work to collect water and pump it away at a safe distance from your home. This allows ground water to flow under your basement walls rather than pushing against them and causing bowing.
