What Is a Sump Pump, and Why Is It Important to Maintain?
Many homeowners have sump pumps in their homes, especially if they live in areas prone to flooding or heavy rainfall runoff. A sump pump is a specially designed pump that moves water from the sump pump basin to an area outside the home. It helps maintain water levels around the home and prevents flooding in basements and crawl spaces. Having a sump pump installation and knowing how to maintain it is crucial to ensure the sump pump system works when needed and protects the home from flooding.
How Do Sump Pumps Work?
Many homeowners wonder if they need a sump pump. Generally, it is better to have a sump pump and not need to use it often than to need one and not have one installed. A sump pump helps prevent home flooding and water damage, which is a costly problem no homeowner wants to deal with.
Sump pumps use a special sump pump float switch to note the level of water in the sump pump basin. When the water reaches a certain level, the pump kicks on automatically and pumps the water out away from the home. By pumping out water during heavy rain, snow melt, or flooding, sump pumps keep the home flood-free and protect it against water damage.
Kinds of Sump Pumps
When it's time for sump pump installation, there are two main types of sump pumps to choose between. Submersible sump pumps and pedestal sump pumps have several pros and cons. Submersible pumps, as the name suggests, go under the water level in the sump pump basin. They are the more powerful option and quieter but are more expensive.
Pedestal pumps, however, are positioned with the pump motor out of the water. They are less powerful and louder during operation but less expensive and last longer. However, both types require power, so a sump pump backup is beneficial to ensure they will work even if the power goes out during flooding or bad storms.
How Can I Keep My Sump Pump Working Right?
With sump pump installation covered, it is important to know some key tips to keep the system working properly so that it is ready whenever needed. The last thing anyone wants or needs is a pump that fails at the worst possible time. Routine maintenance and inspections are one way to ensure that a sump pump is ready to go when needed.
Another important way to ensure sump pumps are working is routine testing, which homeowners can do themselves by pouring enough water into the sump pump basin to activate the system. The sump pump should turn on automatically, remove the water, and then turn off automatically. Like any other appliance or piece of equipment in the home, maintenance and upkeep are key to ensuring it works correctly.
About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air
Residents in the St. George area can trust Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air for all of their plumbing and sump pump needs, whether installation, maintenance, or repair. Call them for sump pump services in St. George, UT.
