common you could need a sump pump installation. It doesn’t take much water to cause thousands of dollars of damage, and if
Sump Pump Installation
If you’re in an area where the water table is high, or where rapidly melting snow or sudden heavy rainstorms are common you could need a sump pump installation. It doesn’t take much water to cause thousands of dollars of damage, and if you have a damp basement, mold can be a serious problem, and a good sump pump could be worth its weight in gold. A wet basement can cause all sorts of problems beyond water— including rust, rot, mold, and unhealthy air quality.
What is a Sump Pump?
Sump pumps, are pumps located in your basement or crawlspace, and are designed to prevent excess rain or ground water from entering the house. Most residential sump pumps are installed in pits, called sump pits, and help to keep your basement dry by pumping the water out of the pit, away from your house.
How Does a Sump Pump Work?
A sump pump is a normally installed in the lowest part of your basement, or in a crawlspace. A hole is cut in the concrete floor, and the pump is placed in the sump pit (sometimes called a sump basin) A pipe is attached, which then runs up, and out of the house, and releases the water several feet away from the foundation. When there is a flood, excess rainfall, or water from rapidly melting snow, instead of leaking into your house through any tiny cracks, it flows into the sump pit. Sump pumps are activated by a float, similar to the one in your toilet tank. When the water in the pit causes the float to rise to a certain level, the pump is activated.
Sump pumps require electricity to operate, and because they’re always either in water or very near water, the outlet should have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Also, because electricity often goes out during a heavy rainstorm, it’s highly recommended that you also have a battery operated pump as a back-up. If the power goes out, and the pit begins to fill with water, the battery-powered back-up pump will automatically start operating.
Sump Pump Installation
If you are experiencing water problems you may need sump pump or secondary sump pump installation, especially if you have finished basement or if you store valuables there. If your primary pump fails or is overwhelmed, the back-up pump automatically takes over. For extra insurance, a battery backup pump can also be installed. When the power goes out, as it often does in a storm, the battery-powered pump can continue pumping for up to two days, depending upon the demand.
We also recommend buried downspouts and freeze relief to keep water from re-entering the home.
For more information on sump pump cost, or a free quote on sump pump installation call (518) 227-0058 today or submit a request for quote below to schedule a free in-home consultation!