Home / Sump Pumps

Sump Pumps -
Only Half Of What You Need!

Submersible sump pumps are used to pump water out of a basement to an outside location. Unfortunately, this is only half of the battle. How will you get water to the sump pump? In order for sump pumps to be useful to your water problems, you must first understand how the sump works and what its limitations are.

Water powered, submersible sump pumps work in a simple method. Part of the sump is a float. Whenever the water level causes the float to reach a certain level, the pump is activated and pumps the water through a pipe to another location. Its the exact opposite of how a bathroom toilet works. In a toilet, the water flows in until the float reaches a certain level, cutting off the water supply. With a sump pump, the water level raises the float until it reaches a certain level. This turns the sump pump on.

Many homeowners believe that installing a sump pump will solve their basement water problems. This is, unfortunately, not true. How will you get the water coming into your basement to the sump pump? Certainly, you can sweep the water over the the sump pit, but who wants to do that? The best solution is to attached a drainage system to the sump pump. The drainage system will collect the water before it gets into the basement (keeping the environment dry), and flows the water to the sump pit. Then (and only then) will a sump pump be effective in keeping your basement dry.

Many builders today install a sump pump when constructing the home. The exterior foundation drains are tied into the sump pit, and effectively keep water out of the basement. If the exterior drains become clogged or damaged, the system will not work.

In the end, remember that a sump pump alone is only half of the battle. Once you have a system to channel the water to the sump pump, you'll be rest assured your basement is dry and usable.

Need a professional evalaution for your basement waterproofing needs?
CLICK HERE to see how you can get our evaluation free of charge.