| Sump pumps are installed in some homes to help | | | | buried just slightly below grade. This pipe must be |
| pipe surface water, ground water, melting ice and | | | | sloped down from the home so water will |
| snow. Pumps are also used to pipe away ground | | | | effectively drain out of the pipe. If water freezes |
| water from the area under the basement floor | | | | it may block and obstruct the discharge pipe. |
| slab and around the basement foundation walls. | | | | Caution must be taken when a pump is tested. |
| Exterior perimeter drain systems should not be | | | | There is an inherent electric shock hazard |
| directed into the sump pumps because the water | | | | because there is water and electricity in the same |
| can flood the home if there is a malfunction or a | | | | proximity. Use a wooden stick to lift the float to |
| pump discharge pipe obstruction. | | | | test the pump. Never use your hand to lift the |
| Some houses need sump pumps because the | | | | float switch because if there is a short you may |
| exterior slope of the soil allows snow, water and | | | | get an electric shock. Although not required it is |
| ice to collect around the exterior walls of the | | | | beneficial to have a GFCI protected electrical |
| home. In some areas the water table is high and | | | | receptacle supply power to the pump. Sump |
| pumps are used to help avoid water infiltration | | | | pumps should not be operated with out water. |
| into the lower level of the home. | | | | Before the pump is tested make sure that there |
| Most sump pump systems are comprised of a pit | | | | is water in the bottom of the sump pump. You |
| (tank) that is located below the basement floor | | | | can always pour a few inches of water in the |
| slab and a pump and discharge line. The pump has | | | | sump pit to allow you to test the pump. |
| an inlet hole or may have multiple inlet holes and | | | | When inspecting your sump pump, you should also |
| can be made of various materials. Most pump pits | | | | view and inspect the discharge pipe and make |
| are either plastic, metal, or cement. | | | | sure the line is not obstructed and is discharging |
| The actual pump is located inside the sump pit. | | | | freely. If the discharge pipe is obstructed the |
| The pump may be a pedestal style with the | | | | water level in the pit may raise too far and then |
| electric motor located above the pump. The pump | | | | flood the basement. |
| may also be a submersible style pump with the | | | | If excess noise or vibration is heard it may be an |
| motor and the pump located at the bottom of | | | | indication that the pump motor or the bearings |
| the sump. In both styles of pumps there will be a | | | | are worn. Worn bearings may be caused by the |
| 120 volt electrical power line and a float switch to | | | | lack of proper maintenance. Replacement is |
| activate the pump as the water level inside the | | | | recommended in order to make sure the pump |
| sump pit rises. Sump pumps can be powered by | | | | will operate when it has too. |
| an ordinary electrical receptacle and at other | | | | Some other common sump pump problems are: |
| times be powered by direct wiring to the pump | | | | Short cycling or operating continuously. This |
| motor. | | | | condition may be caused by a sticking float switch |
| There is a discharge pipe from the pump that | | | | or debris inside the sump pit. The sump can |
| pipes the water out of the sump pit when the | | | | become damaged. Often metal sump pits rust |
| pump engages. The discharge pipe is often plastic | | | | and corrode. Plastic pits can be damaged by soil |
| pipe. There is no need for a vent pipe on a sump | | | | pressure. All sump pump pits should have a |
| pump because the top of the pit is not tightly | | | | securely fitting lid in order to avoid possible injury. |
| sealed. Sewer odors are also not an issue | | | | It is a very good idea to keep a back-up sump |
| because the pump is discharging ground water | | | | pump on hand so that the existing can be quickly |
| and not waste water from plumbing fixtures. | | | | changed if there is a malfunction. It is also very |
| Discharge pipes from sump pumps that are | | | | desirable to have a battery back up to power the |
| installed on the exterior of the home are often | | | | pump in the event that the power should fail. |