If your home is in a flood-prone area, you can find yourself working overtime to keep excess rainwater away from your home. A sump pump could provide protection to your basement or storage cellar. While rainwater does eventually soak into the earth or recede, it can do serious damage to your home before it does. Sump pumps move water away from your home by using French drains. The system works by funneling the excess water into a tank with a pump that sends the water away from your home. Adding a sump pump to your home can be an invaluable tool for preventing flooding in your home’s low-lying areas.
5 Signs Your Home Needs a Sump Pump
If you’re on the fence about whether adding a sump pump is the right choice for your property, there are several signs you’re dealing with water accumulation issues. Basements and cellars are typically used for storage, but some homeowners use their basements as extended living spaces. If you’ve experienced any of the following problems in your home, adding a sump pump to your home may be necessary to avoid serious water damage.
It’s time to install a new sump pump if you:
- Your basement has been flooded before
- You’ve experienced heavy rains for two seasons
- You have an older sump pump
- Your home is located in a low-lying area
- You’re considering converting an unfinished basement into a living space
Adding a sump pump to your home can mean less worry and concern about water flooding your basement or low-lying areas. If you live in a flood zone, this is an important feature. Rainy season can leave the ground in your area saturated, and excess rainwater will look for a place to settle. The weather changes each season, so if you have a sump pump but haven’t needed it in recent years, you may want to consider keeping it in good condition and having it serviced. Excess water will travel to the lowest point on your property, so even if your home isn’t in a flood zone, it could still be at risk for water accumulation.
Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Home
Once you’ve decided to add a sump pump to your property, you will need to choose the right system to meet your needs. There are two types of systems, each with its own benefits.
A sump pump can be installed in the following types:
Submersible Pump: A pump motor functions underwater, allowing it to pump more water per minute. These systems are best for homes prone to heavy flooding. They can pump more water faster than pedestal systems.
Pedestal Pump: A pump motor that sits above the water tank. These systems are best for the occasional emergency situation. They pump water slower than a submersible system, and they cannot process solids or particles. While pedestal systems are usually the more affordable of the two systems, it could be a bad fit if you need more than occasional water removal.
A sump pump takes excess rainwater invading your home and relocates it outside away from your house. The motor of a submersible sump pump sits in the water tank while the pedestal pump is housed in the tank, but the motor is raised above the water. Submersible systems are quieter because the motor is beneath the water, but if your submersible unit fails, it could be a costlier repair.
These signs are historically reliable, but every home and situation is different. If you’re still not confident a sump pump is a good solution to protect your home, the next step would be to contact a plumbing specialist to answer additional questions you may have. At the end of the day, each system has pros and cons. Protecting your home is what’s most important. You need to know your basement or cellar is safe from potential flooding.
All Pro Plumbing, Heating & Electrical offers residential and commercial customers safe and affordable sump pump services. Call our experienced technicians today at (909) 500-8193 to schedule an appointment.
