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