Sump Pump And Its Benefits

A sump pump is a machine that pumps the water out in case of any flooding. Sump pumps are usually installed at the lowest level of your house. You may also refer to this as an additional unit to protect your home from flooding. Many basements flood whenever there is a rise in water level, and especially those below the water table tend to flood quite often. Any of your friends who has a basement will surely recommend you get a sump pump installed in your basement. Rather than spending an enormous amount of money on repair, one can invest in sump pumps and save a huge amount of money.

Working

The pump mostly remains on standby as it is not in regular use. The sump pumps are installed mainly for the rainy season or when there is a flood. While rain or flood, the soil becomes oversaturated, and this is where the sump pump comes into action. When the sump pump receives water in abundance, it turns on and starts to remove water to the nearby pond or well. The sump pump’s primary function is to not let the water rise to your basement floor by continuously removing water to a nearby lake.

Types of Sump Pump

Submersible Sump Pump

This particular type of sump pumps are more in demand and highly accepted, as they save you a lot of space in the basement and are not visible. As the name suggests, a submersible pump fully submerged in the sump pit without a pedestal pump sticking out, and does not hamper the basement structure. However, this type of sump pump has high maintenance and is harder to access for replacement or maintenance because of the installation.

For the areas with high rainfall or flood-prone, a submersible pump with high power is required so that a large amount of water can quickly move out to a nearby pond or lake. Another benefit of submersible pumps is that they can filter out the broken rock pieces and more. The life expectancy of a submersible pump ranges from five to ten years.

Pedestal Sump Pump

The pedestal pumps have less power than the submersible pump, and that is the reason the pedestal pump moves less water than the submersible pumps. Because of its structure, pedestal pumps are installed above the top of the sump pit, having an extension that reaches down to the water.

Since this type of sump pump does not submerge in the water, there are fewer chances of motor failure. The main advantage of the pedestal pump is that the motor is easily accessible, which is the main drawback of the submersible sump pumps. The pedestal stick also hampers the look of your basement, which is not very pleasing. The pedestal sump pumps have a long life expectancy of twenty to thirty years as compared to the others. One of the main drawbacks of the pedestal pumps is that they are very noisy.

Water-Powered Sump Pumps

The traditional sump pumps run on electricity, unlike the water-powered ones. As the name suggests, the water-powered sump pumps require water pressure from the municipal water source to create a vacuum and move out the water from your sump pit. A lot of times, due to the storm, the power goes off, and this the situation where water-powered pumps can be a lifesaver for you. An adequate amount of water pressure should be there for the working of such sump pumps because they have low power; this type of sump pump is mainly there as a backup for the primary sump pump.

Battery-Backup Sump Pumps

As the name suggests, battery-backup sump pumps are the ones that use a stored battery to move the water when it reaches the sump pit. Battery backup sump pumps are quite similar to the water-powered sump pumps as both use battery and water, respectively. This type of sump pump surely uses electricity but in a stored manner that is via battery. Battery-backup sump pumps are of two kinds, first-battery-powered units and second- the regular submersible pump inclusive of a battery backup pump. This type of sump pump is ideal for smaller sump pits. Like the water-powered sump pump, this type also works as a backup for the primary sump pump.

Types of Sump Pump Switches

1. Diaphragm Switch: As the name implies, the switch operates like our diaphragm, it flips in a concave manner as the pressure rises and releases when the pressure lowers. It is one of the most used switches as it rarely gets stuck.
2. Pressure Switch: As soon as the water pressure rises, a pressure switch senses the amount of rising and triggers the pump’s action to a required degree.
3. Electronic Switch: The electronic switch senses the pressure in the water within the basin. With the rise of the water, the pressure also rises, resulting in switching on the pump.
4. Float Switch: As the name suggests, the float switch is something that has a float attached to the pump, and as the water and the pressure rises, the pump starts.

Benefits of a Sump Pump

• Improves indoor air quality
• Saves your house from flooding
• Reduces the chance of mold growth
• Keeps the foundation intact
• Protects the wall from peeling
• Reduces the chances of termites or other insects
• Keeps the basement dry
• Works when there is a power shortage

Sump Pump And Sewage Pump

Many people often misunderstand the sewage pump and the sump pump to be the same, which is not the case. Though they have some similarities, both have a different function.

Similarities

Both the sewage pump and sump pumps are used at home and are generally installed in the basement. The function of both the pumps is to function as an indoor septic system. Though both the sewage pump and sump pumps share the same design and look almost alike, both have different functions to provide.

Difference

The primary purpose of a sump pump is to remove the extra water near the sump pit. A sump pump is said to be one of the best machines to remove excess water. In the case of flood or massive rainfall, sump pumps help eliminate the excess water that may have entered your basement. Sump pumps usually run on electricity, but water-powered and battery-backup sump pumps are also available in the market for times like power cuts.

A sewage pump’s primary function is to carry water and wastes from our homes and send it to a septic tank or other sewage systems in the area. One main difference between both is that sewage pumps carry both liquids as well solid. Also, unlike the sump pumps, the sewage pumps require less maintenance.

Signs To Replace Your sump Pumps

Though sump pumps have a good life, they need replacement after a specific time period. Sump pumps do not last forever and have an average lifespan of about ten years. The list below mentions a few signs that may indicate that the sump pump needs replacement.

Loud Noises

If you hear loud noises from your sump pump, then there are 90% chances that your sump pump needs replacement. With passing time, the motor starts to make noise, and eventually, when it reaches the end of its life cycle, it starts to make louder noise while it removes the water away from your home. The incorrect installation of the sump pump can be one of the reasons your pump may stop working at an early stage.

Excessive Vibration

Vibration tends to happen when the impeller of the pump is bent or damaged. The function of an impeller is to draw things. With a damaged impeller, the machine starts to wobble and make noise.

Infrequent Pump Usage

Like the batteries of cars, the infrequent use of a sump pump can reduce its shell life. To maintain the longevity of the pumps, one should regularly inspect them during heavy rainfall.

Excessive Use

If your pump is almost always in use, then you are likely to face issues with it. If your pump has to push water through a long way, then you need a pump with more power rather than using the one with less power for longer hours.

Visible Rust

The visible rust near your pumps could be because of corroded battery terminals or the presence of Iron Bacteria. This type of bacteria causes discoloration, and a gel-like substance, which can clog the plumbing system.

Irregular Cycling

If you notice irregular cycling in your sump pumps even during heavy rains, it may indicate that the float is not adjusted correctly. Another reason that you may see irregular cycling is the wiring malfunction that may lead to irregular on and off the pump.

Seven Years or Older

Regular maintenance of the sump pumps helps to have a longer life, but that does not go forever. The pumps need replacement after seven years despite regular cleaning and maintenance.

Know If You Need A Sump Pump

A sump pump helps to remove the excess of water if it enters your basement level. We highly recommend installing a sump pump if any of the factors mentioned below stand true for you.

• You suffer from water problems regularly.
• Your area experiences heavy rainfall or snow.
• You live in a flood-prone area.
• You have a finished basement.

There should be an immediate replacement of the pumps which do not work correctly or are damaged so that you don’t have to suffer during heavy rainfalls or floods. Installation of the sump pump is not an easy task, and if not installed properly, it can cause several other issues, which is why you should only contact a professional. For the best sump pump services in Arizona, we at Safe Dry Out promise and assure you to provide the best service.

Source: Sump Pump And Its Benefits