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Being a homeowner in Alberta, especially by Edmonton, means there are certain flood risks to account for—because water damage can be costly, but it can also be very preventable! One of the best ways to protect your home and property is by ensuring you have a sump pump that works.
Sump pumps serve the very important purpose of helping to prevent flooded property. They’re typically installed in the basement or below-ground levels of a home or business and work to collect water in a sump basin, or pit, and then force the water safely away from the structure so that the property doesn’t flood. Let's take a closer look at everything that you should know when it comes to sump pumps!
There are various different types of sump pumps, but the two most common in residential homes are submersible pumps and pedestal pumps.
The former sits in sump wells and, fitting to the name, is able to effectively operate while under water. They turn on when a float is activated, which suggests that the water has built up to a point in the basin where it needs to be forced out. Pedestal pumps utilize a float as well, but they operate above the sump well. They’re also typically much louder than submersible pumps. While not as common as submersible pumps, pedestal pumps are still found in homes today.
Good sump pumps come with a variety of features to help keep basements dry. Arguably the most important feature, however, is the battery backup. Sump pumps run on electricity, but during a storm, it’s not unusual for a home to lose power. Battery backups keep the system working during an outage. Other notable features include a water level alarm, which will sound if the water level in the basin exceeds the top of the pump, sump liners that help prevent a sump pit from clogging, and a check valve to prevent any water from returning to the pit.
It’s recommended that any sump pump installation and/or repair be conducted by a plumber or similar professional. Sump pump installation can be messy, as drilling into the foundation is often required. What’s more is that the installation must be carried out according to local building codes, something that the average DIY’er may not be familiar with.
Sump pumps tend to be composed of similar materials. For instance, there’s always a drain line to the exterior of the home, which takes the water that’s being forced out of the pit and pushes it away from the property. There’s also often a liner that houses the pump itself, the float which helps activate the pump when water levels in the pit reach a certain level, and the electrical line that plugs into the outlet to keep the pump operating. While the actual pump can be made of various materials, cast iron is quickly becoming the industry leading material when it comes to quality.
Depending on the amount of heavy rainfall that occurs in your area, as well as your home's risk of flooding, a sump pump upgrade may be necessary in order to sufficiently protect your basement and foundation. Some homeowners even consider a secondary sump pump to complement the first. In addition, a back-up battery is always helpful in case of power outages!
While sump pumps are a vital part of a basement’s waterproofing solution, they’re not without their troubles. The most common sump pump issues involve electrical failures, a stuck switch, an overworked pump that fails, and a frozen discharge pipe. In all of these instances, the sump pump may not properly or as expected, leaving the basement at risk of flooding. To ensure your sump pump works as your best line of defense against water damage, make sure to get your sump pump inspected and cleaned regularly—especially after heavy rain!
The obvious warning sign that there’s something wrong with the sump pump is when water intrusion is spotted in the basement. Even if the sump pump is on and working, signs of water intrusion signify that the appliance isn’t doing its job properly—thus either requiring repair or the installation of a secondary system to help out. Other warning signs that can signify imminent failure include unusual noises, frequent cycling on and off, and elongated run times. All of these signs are reasons to schedule your sump pump maintenance!
Sump pumps generally have a standard lifespan of about 7-10 years depending on usage, how much rainfall you get in your area, and whether it has received regular maintenance. We recommend having your sump pumps serviced before spring brings the storm season, but if you have missed your annual inspection, it's also important to schedule maintenance after heavy rain in any season. That way, you can ensure you know the working condition of your sump pump and get any necessary repairs done on your own time—before you find out the hard way.
As a crucial part of any home's basement waterproofing strategy, a good working sump pump—complete with a battery backup system—can give you peace of mind, especially during periods of heavy rainfall when flash flood warnings may be issued. Sump pumps work to safely and effectively distribute built up water away from the home’s foundation to prevent the basement from flooding, which means having an efficiently working sump pump can be the difference between flooded basements, water damage, and damage to your property.
Call ProSolutions today for more information on sump pumps!
