A sump pump is a mechanism to remove water from the lowest point in your home (like a basement or a crawlspace), along with the soil below, and forces it out into a draining space to avoid flooding, water damage, and mold growth.
Contents
- 1 Why do you need a sump pump?
- 2 Does every house need a sump pump?
- 3 Are sump pumps good or bad?
- 4 What houses need a sump pump?
- 5 Why would a house not have a sump pump?
- 6 Should I avoid buying a home with a sump pump?
- 7 Should I be worried if a house has a sump pump?
- 8 What is the alternative to a sump pump?
- 9 Do sump pumps need maintenance?
- 10 Is a sump pump good for basement?
- 11 How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain?
- 12 How do you maintain a sump pump?
- 13 Why do basements have sump pumps?
Why do you need a sump pump?
A sump pump is a device that can prevent flooding in a home by eliminating moisture build up and removing water that has accumulated in the sump basin. Having one installed can help prevent a build-up of water and ultimately prevent water damage, flooding, and structural damage.
Does every house need a sump pump?
If you’re wondering whether your home needs a sump pump, it probably does. The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that more than 60% of homeowners have some sort of moisture in their basement or crawl spaces. It’s important to ensure your sump pump is working for those higher moisture months, like spring.
Are sump pumps good or bad?
A good sump pump is a homeowner’s first line of defense against a basement flood, whether caused by a storm or plumbing leak. But when a sump pump fails on you, it can make a problem worse or cause flooding itself.
What houses need a sump pump?
Top 5 Reasons You Need a Sump Pump in Your Home
- To Keep the Basement or Crawlspace Dry. This is the main reason many people have a sump pump installed.
- To Prevent Mold and Mildew.
- To Alert the Homeowner When the Water Level Is Too High.
- To Add Value to the Home.
- To Stabilize the Soil.
Why would a house not have a sump pump?
If your house is built on a concrete slab (no basement) then odds are there is no sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to take water that surrounds your foundation and pump it outside before it can seep into your basement. So—no basement—no need for a sump pump.
Should I avoid buying a home with a sump pump?
While you might think it’s best to avoid buying a house with a sump pump, the little mechanism in the basement floor does a big job. The pump sits in a small basin below the floor with pipes leading to the outside. When water seeps into the basement, it triggers the pump’s float switch and activates its motor.
Should I be worried if a house has a sump pump?
Although sump pumps can stop most of the water, holes in the structure of your home can cause leaks and lasting damage. So, even if you have a sump pump installed in your new place, it’s important to keep an eye out for this kind of damage.
What is the alternative to a sump pump?
Some potential alternatives to a sump pump are french drains, ground grading and gutters to improve drainage away from the home.
Do sump pumps need maintenance?
Water from under or around your home drains into a sump pump pit, and is then pumped out of your home and away from the foundation. As with any other system or appliance you may have in your home, a sump pump needs regular maintenance to keep it functioning properly.
Is a sump pump good for basement?
Sump pumps help prevent groundwater intrusion, but they’re also extremely helpful if your cellar ever floods because of a burst pipe or a washing-machine malfunction.
How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain?
In most cases, it’s perfectly normal for a sump pump to run constantly after heavy rain, often for 2 or 3 days in a row. Obviously, during periods of heavy rain, there’s a whole bunch of water falling on the surface of the ground very quickly, and that water has to go somewhere.
How do you maintain a sump pump?
Annual Sump Pump Maintenance
- Unplug the pump and remove it from the basin for evaluation.
- Check the owner’s manual to see if the pump bearings need lubrication.
- Check the sump basin for debris and remove.
- Reinstall the pump and plug it back into the power outlet.
Why do basements have sump pumps?
By removing water from the pit and draining it into a nearby storm drain, dry well, or detention pond, the sump pump prevents the groundwater from rising to the level of your basement floor, which could cause a flood. In this way, you can think of a sump pump as an extra piece of flood insurance!
