Sump Pumps: What You Need to Know

January 11, 2017

When you think about flooding, you mostly think rain. But, here in New Jersey, snow can be just as big a culprit. The snow that melts from our large winter storms has to go somewhere and hopefully that somewhere isn't your basement. Studies show that 90-95% of all basements will experience issues with water penetration. Just one inch of water can take hours of clean up and leaves your home at risk for mold, rot, and other major issues. Sump pumps are an easy solution to help address this issue. A sump pump will help keep your basement and beneath your home dry.

How do sump pumps work?

Sump pumps are installed at the lowest point of your basement or crawl space. Water accumulating in your basement flows into the sump pit and is pumped, through pipes, back out of your home. The pipes empty out and send the water away from your home's foundation. Most sump pumps are equipped with a check valve that keeps the water from flowing back into the sump pit.

Sump pumps are triggered by a float activator arm or pressure sensor that indicate when water is present. Float activator arms are connected to a buoyant ball that raises the drain cover, similar to a toilet tank. A pressure sensor is activated by the weight of the water. Manual sump pumps are also available, but are not nearly as convenient.

Once the pump turns on, the impeller uses centrifugal force to push water into the sides of the pipes. The water from the pit fills the low pressure void in the center of the pipes. Sump pumps use electricity with your home's standard current, so they do not require their own grounded outlet.

Sump pumps are a critical component to any home with a basement. They offer the peace of mind that your basement can handle any water that may seep into it. Contact us today to talk about one of the many sump brands we carry and which one may be right for you home.