What is a sump pump? Do you have one? Do you need one? As the summer season begins, with its corresponding share of thunderstorms, this question is often heard as concerns rise about potential flooding. Sump pumps are generally used in areas where basement flooding can be a problem or where the water table is so high that it is at or above the foundation of a home.
A sump pump removes water that has accumulated in a sump basin (typically a plastic, metal or concrete container measuring 2 ft. across by 2 to 3 ft. deep) in the basement of some homes. The sump pump sends the water away from the house where it will no longer pose a problem, such as to a storm drain or drain field. Some older homes may have a sump pump that discharges its water into the sewer system but this is no longer acceptable by most municipal plumbing codes.
Sump pumps are usually wired into your standard electrical system, although they should probably have a backup system in the event of power failure (such as a battery backup or generator) since the sump basin may overflow if the water retained reaches a certain level without being pumped. Sump pumps may be pedestal, where the motor is mounted above the sump, or submersible where the motor is sealed entirely inside the sump. Sump pumps can be automatic or manual, and vary as to the amount of horsepower, maximum height the pump will remove water, number of motor phases and voltage, as well as the type of water level sensing switch.
Your local plumbing professional can make sure that you are equipped with the appropriate system to meet your individual needs. Sump pumps need to be maintained and should be inspected yearly to avoid problems that could decrease its efficiency.
