Keep water away from your home by installing a sump pump for regular use!

If you are a homeowner you have probably heard neighbors mention installing a sump pump or even having problems with an existing sump pump that is already installed in their homes. If you aren’t familiar with what a sump pump is – you aren’t alone! This is a term we tend to hear periodically, but may not know the use of the common household appliance.

Let’s take a look into the world of the sump pump, understanding what they are, and what purpose they serve for your home.

What is a Sump Pump?

Let’s begin with understanding exactly what we mean when we talk about a sump pump. A sump pump is an appliance that is installed in the basement floor of a home or crawl space, typically anywhere that groundwater will collect.

Water can easily find its way through the foundation of your basement or cracks in the floor, causing flooding which leads to mold and mildew. The purpose of a sump pump is to keep the water away from your home and carry it as far away from your home as possible.

The sump pump sits in a specialized sump pit, created specifically for the pump itself. This pit collects the excess water as it flows through drains or directly through the soil. Most sump pumps are equipped with a device that signals when the water has reached a specific level, and automatically turns the pump on, drawing the water away from your basement or crawl space.

The sole purpose of a sump pump is to keep your home from flooding, and free of mold and mildew. Without a sump pump, water can find itself trapped in your basement, soaking the carpet or foundation with no place to escape.

Mold thrives in an environment like this – wet and dark – and when it goes untreated, can become a major household hazard. Experts like those at McMahon Services can assist with any mold remediation services, but a sump pump should help with this problem before it forms!

Deep Dive into how a Sump Pump Works

We vaguely discussed how a sump pump works in the section above. Let’s dive a little deeper and learn exactly how a sump pumps keeps water away from your home.

When installed properly, a sump pump will be the correct size and power for your area. A professional can help you quickly determine what size sump pump is appropriate for your home size. There are resources available online for those DIYers to size a sump pump yourself.

It is important to choose the proper size sump pump, always erring on the side of caution is highly recommended. A larger sump pump is better than a sump pump that is too small. A sump pump that overflows defeats that purpose of a sump pump all together!

Once you’ve determined the correct size, a sump pump will sit inside a special pit known as the “sump pit”. This pit allows water to drain naturally into the hole through different methods. This could be drains placed strategically around your basement or crawlspace or even natural flow of groundwater directly to the sump pit.

Once the pit is full of water, the automated flotation system will turn on, causing the sump pump to turn on and start its purpose – pulling water from your home and back outside where it belongs. The excess water flows through a hose which leads to an area away from your home where the water can flow freely away from the foundation.

Your sump pump is powered by electricity – and proper installation is imperative for proper functionality.

When Do I Need a Sump Pump?

Did you know, more than 60% of American homeowners suffer some type of moisture in their basement or crawl spaces? If you notice a musty smell when you enter your basement, or see signs of flooding including:

  • Wet flooring
  • Standing water
  • Water marks on walls
  • Mildew
  • Mold

You may be part of that 60%. Hiring a professional restoration service to rule out any signs or traces of dangerous mold is your first step. After this, installing a sump pump is necessary to keep your basement dry.

If your home sits in a flood prone area, it’s highly recommended that a sump pump be installed immediately. Homes that sit in a flood area typically already have a sump pump installed. Proper maintenance should happen every 6 months to keep the sump pump in proper working order.

Keeping water away from your home is one of biggest complaints from homeowners. Using a sump pump will take away some of the guesswork and keep the manual labor of watching for signs of flooding or water damage to a minimum.

If you do feel like you suffer from excess water damage, call McMahon Service today to schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our expects. We will identify any issues and put together a game plan to assist you with removing the problem and keeping your home free of moisture as quickly as possible. Call us today for more information!