Sump pumps really aren't very complicated devices compared to some of the other things you have in your home. And yet their service can save you thousands in water damage, should flooding occur. Yes, the sump pump is the unsung hero of our basements.
- Sump pumps generally fall into two categories: submersible and pedestal. Both of these models serve to pump water out of the sump and away from where it can harm your property. Both kinds of sump pump sit at the bottom of your sump and activate based on a float switch that tells them when the water level has risen to a certain height. In fact, the parts of a sump pump are pretty much standardized these days. The main difference is that the pedestal sump pump has a motor that sits atop a pedestal, which stretches out of the pit and in plain view. This motor is supposed to remain dry, and the visibility can make repair a bit easier.
- Power. For most households, a 0.33 horsepower sump pump will serve adequately. If you feel that your basement suffers greater amounts of water than the average household basement, then you can use a 0.5 horsepower sump pump - it can pump more gallons per minute (standard unit of flow rate) and can pump the water higher.
- Drainage. In older homes, sump pumps are often set up to drain into places that, by today's laws, are illegal. Check your local laws to make sure that your sump pump empties legally; often the older sump pumps are set to pump into the sanitary sewer (often illegal) as opposed to a storm drain or other legal setup. I've seen sump pumps that just pump the water right out onto the street, which can also be illegal. Check your local sump pump regulations to make sure your sump pump removes water at a legal distance and to a legal destination.
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Author: Staff Writer