Sump Pump ABC's

Keeping the basement & crawl space of a home dry is a large part of the battle in any home preservation.

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, more than 60% of American homes suffer from below-ground wetness. We all know how much damage water can cause in the home: Wood rot, mold, and even electrical issues can stem from water damage.

So How Does a Sump Pump work?

A Sump Pump is generally placed in a sump pit. This is usually a 2-foot deep hole dug into the lowest point of the crawlspace or basement. As the water collects it is funneled by gravity into the sump pit and gets pumped out.

Usually, Sump pumps turn on automatically when water is present. Two primary detectors facilitate this activation: A Float Activator Arm or a Pressure Sensor. A Float Activator works by having a buoyant apparatus that rises with the water level. Once it reaches a certain height the pump kicks on and drains the sump pit. The pressure sensor works as the name implies. As water pools in the sump pit, the weight on the pressure sensor increases because water is heavy. It will eventually activate the sensor when the weight becomes great enough.

A fear some people have is what if the sensor breaks!? While this can happen, these pumps are equipped with a manual activation. If the worst should happen you will still be able to mitigate the damage to your home to a great extent by quickly pumping out that damaging water.

But how does it pump out the water?

Usually, Sump Pumps use a centrifugal type pump to direct water out of your basement or crawl space. When the water in the sump pit reaches the height or the weight to activate a sensor type, it causes a fan-like impeller to rotate. This creates enough force to push the water out of your basement or crawl space.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Pumps?

There are two common types of pumps: A submersible and a pedestal pump. While it seems trivial to have different styles of pumps, they each offer a unique pro & con. A submersible pump is okay with being submerged in water. While a pedestal pump keeps out of the sump pit and away from the reach of the water.

So what’re the important differences? Pedestal pumps are usually cheaper and louder than their submersible alternative.

So, Do You Even Need A Sump Pump?

There are a few factors to consider. The first thing to consider is if you or the previous owners of the home have ever had standing water in the basement or crawlspace. If your basement is always warm & dry then a sump pump probably isn't needed. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your 

basement is wet. So, try this handy test. Tape 2 feet by 2 feet square piece of plastic onto the wall and leave for 1-2 days, then go examine for moisture. Ultimately it is always better to be safe than sorry. Specialty Crawlspace & Basement Companies like CleanSpace NorthWest Provide FREE estimates and inspections. 

So, What are you waiting for? Put your mind at ease and get an inspection from the professionals at Clean Space NorthWest. Check out our Sump pump page https://www.washingtoncrawlspaces.com/sump-pump/system.html to see what Clean Space offers and give us a call at 1-877-698-0260.