What is a Sump Pump?

If you’ve never owned a home before or you don’t live in a climate that experiences severe storms, chances are you may have never heard of a submersible sump pump. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, more than 60 percent of homes in the United States experience issues related to “below-ground wetness”. However, it’s probable that even more homeowners will have to deal with a flooded basement at some point in their lives.

The purpose of a sump pump is to keep homes and other buildings dry. They prevent basement floods, protect paint, appliances and the home’s foundation, and they safeguard buildings against other costly damage that can be caused by excess water and/or dampness. Sump pumps also protect your home and your family from moisture related issues that can cause health concerns such as mold, mildew and fungus growth.

Sump pumps are exactly what their name implies, pumps that are located in what is called a sump pit or sump basin, a hole that is dug at the lowest point of the home, usually in the basement or a crawl space. Sump pump systems remove water that has collected around the basin in the water table after a rain or snowstorm by leading the water into a nearby location that is specifically meant to hold or drain water.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Sump pumps aren’t always active. In fact, they sit on standby until it’s time for them to do their job. Most sump pumps are hardwired to your home and run off of the home’s electricity. And, they generally have a battery backup system in case of electrical failure.

When heavy precipitation occurs, the soil that surrounds your home becomes oversaturated, meaning there is nowhere for the excess groundwater to go. So, as opposed to flooding your basement floor or creating other water-related problems, the water will flow towards the sump pit. When the sump pit begins to fill, this activates the sump pump float switch (a level sensor that alerts your pump of rising water levels in the sump pit) to turn on the pump.

The pump then moves the water from the pit through discharge pipes that run away from your home to a place where the water can safely drain from the foundation such as a storm drain, dry well or detention pond. The discharge pipe generally has a one-way valve at its end called a check valve to stop any water from flowing back towards the house and into the pit.

If you’re interested in seeing how a sump pump works, check out this great video from AMRE Supply.

Do I need a Sump Pump?

As you may have guessed by now, the main criteria for needing a sump pump greatly depends on the climate of where you live. However, there are a handful of other reasons that may make you want to consider installing a sump pump in your home:

• You live in a region that experiences heavy rain or snowfall.
• Your land is likely to flood. Whether the soil on your property drains poorly, your plot is low-lying or you’re surrounded by hills or other highly elevated land, your home is more likely to be surrounded by rising groundwater during rainfall, snowstorms and spring runoff.
• You have a finished basement. Even if you don’t live in an area that is likely to experience basement flooding, consider installing a sump pump to protect your investment and downstairs living space from moisture and other potential water damage.
• You’ve had issues related to water before. If your basement has already flooded or it consistently experiences high moisture levels that become an issue, a sump pump could be a worthwhile investment.

As always, if you’re not sure whether or not your home needs or would benefit from a sump pump, give a licensed plumber a call. They will be able to help you make a decision from a professional and experienced perspective, as well as help you select the best types of sump pumps for your home and perform the sump pump installation when the time comes.

In addition, consider having regular sump pump maintenance performed on your home’s system to prolong its lifespan, especially during the spring when thawing and runoff is common. Check out the Waste Water page on our website to learn more.