In an emergency or major flood, preventing water from entering your home and pooling up at your house’s lowest point is difficult. Regardless of preventative measures taken, there will likely be water left over from floods or heavy storm periods that pools in your basement. This is where a sump pump comes in to save the day. A sump pump is specifically designed to protect your home from possible structural damage in the event of a flood or major storm.
What is a sump pump?
A sump pump is a device that removes water from your home, specifically from the basement. It displaces the water to the outside of your home to reduce the risk of damages caused by still water. The sump pump is installed in a sump, a hole naturally constructed beneath the main surface of your basement floor. The sump pump is placed into this pit in the ground and is equipped with valves that evaluate the water levels or differences in pressure. If water levels get too high, the sump pump will automatically start removing water from the basement and pump it to the outside of the home. The discharge line that connects the sump pump to a specific draining area outside is called an effluent.
Types of Sump Pumps
There are five types of sump pumps: pedestal sump pumps, submersible sump pumps, battery backup sump pumps, and combination sump pumps. They each accomplish the same overall goal, but let’s dive into the other features that they offer and why you should each one.
Pedestal Sump Pump
This is usually the cheapest sump pump option available. It is also the most common type of sump pump. It’s built with a motor mounted high on a rod to keep it dry, which also makes it simple for repairs to be made. These sump pumps are typically long and skinny, which makes for the perfect sump pump in some pits that wouldn’t fit a traditional-sized pump.
Submersible Sump Pumps
This type of sump pump is fully underwater at the base of a sump pump pit. The motor on this type of pump is fully wrapped in a waterproof casing. This option tends to be more expensive at the point of purchase but usually lasts longer than its counterparts, which makes it more cost-effective in the long run.
Battery Backup Sump Pump
This is a great type of pump to have in case of an emergency. If your power goes out during a rainstorm, this battery-powered pump can help keep your basement dry for over 12 hours.
Combination Sump Pump
This type of sump pump is a traditional pump, with a backup battery-powered sump pump included. This helps keep your pump running during an emergency. This backup pump can also kick in when the primary pump is overwhelmed by water, which can make water drain much faster than with a traditional pump alone.
Water-Powered Backup Sump Pump
This type of pump clears out excess water by increasing water pressure. Essentially, there’s no need for electricity, which is great in case of an emergency power outage. However, some areas do not allow for this type of sump pump because the use of additional water can be wasteful.
Pristine Plumbing
If you’re looking to replace your sump pump or install a new one, look no further than the professionals at Pristine Plumbing. They have all the knowledge and experience needed to help you decipher the perfect sump pump for your home or business. Reach out today!
