Do you need a sump pump?
A sump pump can be an important part of your home’s drainage system. The sump pump is located in the basement or crawlspace of a home and used to pump excess water out, often through your home’s drainage system. If your home sits below the water table level, at a level below sewer lines, or in another area prone to flooding, a sump pump may be a necessity. Even if your basement has not yet flooded, it very well may, and sump pumps are an excellent precaution for almost every home with a basement. As the soil around your foundation becomes saturated from rain and melting snow, it can leak into your foundation. Even a little bit of water can cause heavy damage, especially if you have a finished basement. Sump pumps are the optimal solution for keeping your basement dry along with other waterproofing and drainage solutions that AquaProof offers.
Types of Sump Pumps
There are two general types of sump pumps. One is an upright, pedestal style and the other is a submersible style. The pedestal style sits above a sump pit, which makes it easier to reach when performing maintenance. The latter type is into the sump pit itself, and it isn’t easily seen as they are sealed in a housing within the sump pit to prevent electrical shorts. Sump pumps are usually electric. Others rely on your home’s pressurized water supply, eliminating the need for electric power. Regardless of what powers the sump pump, the sump pump must always be working to keep the sump pit from overflowing. Almost all sump pumps will have a battery backup in the event of an interruption in the power supply.
Maintenance
Your sump pump will need a regular schedule of cleaning and general maintenance. Your homes particular conditions and the type of pump you have will dictate your maintenance schedule. The required regular maintenance will generally just involve cleaning. Sump pumps can become clogged with dirt, gravel, sand, or other debris. If too much debris builds up, it can stop working altogether. Debris can also cause a sump pump to develop an unpleasant odor, something that is not necessary. Other regular inspections and maintenance are necessary, and AquaProof can assist you in this regular care. Old sump pump systems can fail and flood a basement, so it’s a good idea to update to a newer sump pump system. AquaProof can work with you to have a new sump pump installed to give you peace of mind the next time it rains hard.
