| What Is A Sump Pump? A sump pump is a pump | | | | the pit and it too has a float switch to activate |
| that is used to remove water that has | | | | the pump. Since the motor of this type of pumps |
| accumulated in the sump pit, usually in the lowest | | | | is not designed for underwater use, the switch will |
| part of the basement or cellar. This water can | | | | activate the pump before the water reaches the |
| accumulate in two ways. One way is when the | | | | bottom of the pumps motor. What Size Of Sump |
| water enters via the perimeter drains of the | | | | Pump Do I Need For My Home? Actually, houses |
| basement waterproofing system and funnels into | | | | have more of a horsepower requirement for a |
| the pit. Another way is when the basement is | | | | sump pump instead of a size requirement. This is |
| below the water table level and water leaks into | | | | determined by the area of drainage that is |
| the basement. How Do Sump Pumps Work? While | | | | connected to the sumps as well as the depth of |
| the water fills up the sump pit, the sump pump | | | | the basement, groundwater and other factors. |
| starts up, and pumps the water out of the | | | | The more water that is expected to accumulate |
| basement. The water gets pumped either | | | | in the sump pit, the more horsepower is required |
| outdoors, away from the foundation of the | | | | to move it. How Big Should My Sump Hole Be? |
| house, or into the main water drainage system of | | | | To allow space for the pump and the piping as |
| the house. To keep the basement from getting | | | | well as the water storage between pumping, |
| flooded, the water is diverted into the hole and | | | | sump pits should be about 2 feet in diameter. |
| moved out by the sump pump. There are two | | | | Should I Use A Liner For My Pit? It is advisable to |
| types of sump pump; one type is submersible | | | | use a liner when constructing a pit for your sump |
| while the other type is called a pedestal. * A | | | | pump and plastic is a preferable material. Metal can |
| submersible pump is about 12 inches tall and is | | | | also be used in it's construction. Be sure to place 3 |
| placed completely inside the tank inside the | | | | to 4 inches of course gravel should be placed in |
| bottom of the pit. Some contain a float switch to | | | | the bottom of the pit when installing the liner. One |
| turn the pump on when needed. This switch is | | | | of the worst things a homeowner may |
| electrical and encased in a hard plastic bubble and | | | | experience is a basement that constantly leaks |
| floats when the water rises. When the water | | | | with every rain or snow melt or a basement that |
| reaches a certain height, the switch turns on to | | | | is flooded. One of the ways to prevent this from |
| activate the pump. Submersible pumps are | | | | happening is with a sump pump. Sump pumps are |
| located on the bottom of the units and the water | | | | handy devices that help you maintain the value of |
| is sucked up through the bottom. This type of | | | | your home. Not only do they protect your |
| pump also comes with a grate or screen over | | | | belongings and your foundation from water |
| the face of it to keep any debris from getting | | | | damage, but they also save you thousands of |
| into the impeller, which could clog the pump. * A | | | | dollars in water damage repairs. |
| pedestal pump is mounted on a small pedestal and | | | | Visit Fix My Own Basement for more tips on |
| stands about 30 inches tall. The motor of this | | | | waterproofing and renovating your basement. |
| pump has a pipe that extends to the bottom of | | | | |