Protect Your Home from Flooding Disasters with a Sump Pump

Sump pumps typically last between 7 to 10 years, but their lifespan can vary depending on factors such as usage, maintenance, and the quality of the pump. Some pumps may last longer, even up to 15 years, while others may fail earlier. To prolong the life of your sump pump, it is important to perform regular maintenance, inspect it for signs of wear or damage, and replace worn parts as needed. Additionally, investing in a high-quality pump and having it installed correctly can also help extend its lifespan.

Sump pumps are designed to remove accumulated water from a sump pit or basin, typically found in basements or crawl spaces, and prevent water damage to a building's foundation. They work through the following process:

Sump pit or basin: Water enters the sump pit or basin through drains, perimeter tiles, or natural groundwater seepage. The pit is usually located at the lowest point of the basement or crawl space to ensure that water naturally flows towards it.

Float switch or pressure sensor: A float switch or pressure sensor is activated as water fills the sump pit. This switch triggers the sump pump to turn on once the water reaches a certain level.

Motor activation: When the float switch or pressure sensor is activated, the pump's motor turns on. The motor drives an impeller, which is a rotating device that pushes the water out of the sump pit.

Water removal: The impeller forces water through a discharge pipe connected to the pump. The water is then directed away from the building's foundation to a safe distance, typically to a storm drain or a designated drainage area. This helps prevent water damage and flooding.

Deactivation: Once the water level in the sump pit drops below a certain point, the float switch or pressure sensor deactivates the pump, turning it off until the water level rises again.

To ensure the sump pump operates efficiently, it's essential to perform regular maintenance, such as checking for debris in the sump pit, inspecting the discharge pipe for clogs, and testing the float switch or pressure sensor for proper functioning.

Sump pumps are like insurance. You forget about it until you need it, and they are at work 24/7 protecting your home, foundation, and possessions from water damage. Many homes require submersible sump pumps for everyday use, especially in rainy climates or where the area in which the home sits has the potential for flooding. A submersible sump pump is placed underwater in your sump pump basin.

A sump pump system prevents flooding, protects against sewer backups, and helps prevent foundation damage to your home. A sump pump removes water from the space below and surrounding the foundation of your house. A sump pump pumps water out of the basement and into the sewer system or away from the home to mitigate flooding and damage.

You can install a sump pump yourself, but should you? Sump pump installation can be messy and requires that you work with water and electricity. A sump pump should be installed by a professional plumbing and electrical contractor. They have the knowledge and experience to get the job done safely, efficiently, and reliably. Professional electricians and plumbers have access to all the necessary tools and equipment required for proper installation.

Electric sump pumps need to be plugged into a primary power source such as your home’s electrical system. Submersible sump pumps require a constant source of power from an independent breaker in your home’s electrical system. In the event of a power failure, it’s best to install a battery backup system. 

A backup sump pump is a second, smaller pump that can be used in the event that your primary pump fails. If the power goes out, your main AC pump will not run, and your basement will flood.

Backup sump pump systems will pump intermittently for days, providing a secondary pumping source. For an increased run time, larger backup models can handle extra batteries for extended pumping time.

A sump pump can fail due to:

• An electrical short (typically due to an overloaded breaker) 
• A power outage
• When the pump is clogged with debris
• If the float switch on the main pump gets stuck or fails
• If the discharge pipe in your main pump is clogged or frozen, or if the sewer is full
• When the water contains soap, which can ruin the internal workings of the pump

Your sump pump should be on an independent breaker. It should also be directly plugged into a grounded wall outlet. 

Most sump pumps come with a warranty. If you find one that doesn’t — take our word for it — don’t buy it. A warranty is a lifeline to the manufacturer. You should only buy a pump with a warranty and have it installed by a licensed contractor.

It’s not about horsepower, it’s about how many gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH) the sump pump can handle. The sump pumps we recommend have a minimum GPM rating of 50.

• Tethered switch: This is for larger sump pits, and it allows the pump to switch off for cooling periods, using less electricity and causing less wear.
• Vertical switch: This is for narrow, shallow sump pits that don’t collect too much water and won’t overtax a pump that runs all the time.
• Electronic switch: Great for narrow sump pits, this is a perfect choice if you want a pump that has a depth alarm, but if your soapy laundry or car wash water drains into the pit, it will fry the electronics, making this a bad choice. Know what your runoff situation is before choosing your switch.
• Diaphragm switch: Used most by professionals, but also the most expensive option. This type of pump works based on the water pressure of the space. While it is the most expensive option, it also doesn’t get stuck which is a common issue among other pumps.