Properly installed sump pumps can save the day for homes with basements and crawlspaces. They can also save homeowners thousands of dollars. Sump pumps are good insurance against the damage flooding can bring to a basement. The damage is especially costly when it’s a finished basement. A basement rec room can suddenly become a wrecked room.
Think of the expensive carpeting, furniture, home entertainment systems, workshops and other things of value that are part of your basement’s living, working, and hobby areas. And think of what little value they’ll have after sitting or floating in three feet of water. Consider the costly risk of water and flood damage. In this light, the price of a sump pump is a bargain.
Sump pumps can be an essential piece to your drainage or sewer system. If your discharge lines are higher than your perimeter drains or sewer line, you’ll definitely need a sump pump to draw the water or waste up and into the city sewer system.
Even if your home hasn’t flooded before, many residential basements will flood at some point. As a homeowner, do you want to wait ‘til after a flood to act? An ounce of prevention can save you the grief of having to remove hundreds of pounds of wet drywall and carpeting.
Even if your basement is spared from a flood, your basement may still have moisture that can lead to mould. Sump pumps prove their value here, too—saving you from not only financial stress, but from possible health issues. If there’s any question about your home’s ability to handle unexpected water from heavy rain or snowmelt, a sump pump is a wise investment.
There are two types of pumps:
The pedestal type has the motor mounted above the sump. This makes it more visible (sump pumps aren’t pretty) but also easier to service. While pedestal type pumps usually cost less, they also don’t last as long.
The submersible type of pump has the motor mounted completely inside the sump and sealed. This not only makes it more visually appealing. It’s also safer, especially if you have children in your home. The main drawback is the pump is harder to reach. Submersible pumps are usually pricier, but they usually last longer. If you already have a sump pump in your home, but the pump is more than 5 years old, make sure it’s still doing its job. A sump pump isn’t just to sit there to look pretty. Again, it doesn’t look pretty. It’s there to literally bail you out when the “tide” is high. Sump pumps normally last up to 10 years, but you don’t want to find out in the middle of a downpour or sudden flood that yours isn’t working properly.
If you already have a sump pump in your home, but the pump is more than 5 years old, make sure it’s still doing its job. It’s there to literally bail you out when the “tide” is high. Sump pumps normally last up to 10 years, but you don’t want to find out in the middle of a downpour or sudden flood that yours isn’t working properly.
Groundhog Excavating can inspect your existing sump pump and make recommendations. We can also install one if you don’t have one. It’s important to have your sump pump plumbed in correctly and that the proper pipes and fittings such as back-flows and unions are installed correctly. Groundhog can ensure that it is.
The importance of a backup
A battery backup and/or a high water alarm system is also a good idea for extra peace of mind. A battery back-up will guard against power failures that are too common, given the wind and rain we get on the west coast. After an electrical failure, a battery-powered pump can keep pumping for up to two days, depending upon the demand. Make sure to check it for proper operation a few times a year.
A secondary pump installed right next to the first is also a good idea, too. It can be installed so that If your primary pump fails or is overwhelmed, the backup pump automatically takes over.
Sump pump or drainage questions? Get in touch with us at Groundhog Excavating today. We offer free estimates for our services. Phone 778-233-7499. You can also use our online contact form.