A sump pump moves water from the lowest point of a home to a drainage area like a municipal drain or a pond. Alternatively, you can choose to install an outdoor curtain drain that also diverts water away from your home.
A battery backup system ensures that your sump pump will continue to work even when the power goes out during a storm.
Flooding
A home sump pump can reduce the risk of flood damage to part of your home like a basement or crawl space. Without one, you’ll need to spend a lot of time and money bailing water out after heavy rainstorms.
Choosing the right sump pump depends on the size of your home and how often you expect to use it. You also need to consider the strength of your pump’s motor, which is measured in horsepower. A 1/3 hp pump is sufficient for most homes, but homeowners in areas that experience flooding will need a higher powered one, check out here.
You should periodically test your sump pump to ensure it’s working correctly. You can do this by pouring a bucket of water into your sump pit until it activates and drains the water. You can also have a professional conduct routine sump pump maintenance for you, which is recommended at least once per year. Pedestal pumps are louder and take up more space than submersible ones, but they can last longer because they’re not being constantly submerged in water.
Mold
A sump pump can reduce the risk of mold and mildew in your home, ensuring that you avoid costly repairs. It also keeps the foundation of your house safe from structural damage.
A basement living space that isn’t protected with a sump pump is at risk of flooding, wood rot, and mold growth. It can even be a health hazard to your family, especially if anyone has allergies or respiratory issues.
A professional installation team has the tools and training needed to install a high-quality sump pump system. They’ll ensure that it is correctly installed, providing your home with long-term benefits. In addition, they’ll make sure that the system is working when it needs to be. The best part is that you’ll get to protect your valuables, save on expensive home repairs, and increase the value of your home at the same time!
Wood Rot
Like a fire sprinkler system would save your home in the event of a kitchen fire, a sump pump could prevent serious water damage from flooding in your basement. Especially if your area has clay soils or silt, that tend to hold on to moisture longer than sand.
A sump pump’s pit or basin collects moisture until the float switch triggers it to turn on and move it away from the foundation of your home. A pipe takes the water outside where a check valve stops it from returning back into your home.
If you have a sump pump, it’s worth checking on regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly. This includes removing debris and checking that the discharge line opening is not clogged or blocked by leaves and branches. Also, a battery backup is a good investment to ensure your sump pump will operate when needed during severe weather or power outages. This will be especially important if you have family, pets and sentimental items in your basement.
Crawl Space
Often, a crawl space is home to plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, HVAC ductwork and more. This makes it easy for water to leak into the area if something goes wrong with these systems. Heavy rains and melting snow also saturate the soil around a crawl space, which puts the area at risk of flooding.
Conclusion:
A sump pump will protect the crawl space from flooding by draining excess water away from the area. This will keep the area clean and dry, preventing structural damage and wood rot, and it will make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell. To install a sump pump, you will need to dig a trench that includes a sump pit and perforated drain pipe. The pump will be connected to the drainage pipe and will have a battery backup in case of power outages. You may also want to consider adding a vapor barrier and a dehumidifier to the crawl space for additional moisture control.