How a Sump Pump Can Prevent Your Home from Being Flooded

Summer is in full swing now, and that means there’s rain across the country – and plenty of it, too. If you’re concerned about flooding, especially in your basement, there are things you can do to protect yourself. Waterproofing is an option, of course, but it won’t stop all flooding. By far, the best way to prevent this is with a sump pump.

Why Flooding Occurs

Flooding can occur in your home (in basements and crawlspaces, especially) for many different reasons. Things like ground sloping toward your house instead of away, leaky gutters, clogged downspouts, and even a blockage in floor drains can all lead to catastrophe. You can take steps to prevent much of this, but things can and do happen on occasion. Installing a sump pump is an investment in your home, and while it is an expense at first, it can pay for itself if it helps to stop just one flooding event.

What a Sump Pump Does

A sump pump moves water from the location where it is installed, called a sump pit, to another predetermined location that is far away from your home. The sump pit is at the very lowest point in your home, either in the basement or a crawlspace, so it is the first location to fill with water. As it does, the sump pump’s purpose is to remove excess water before it can escape from the pit and cause damage.

There are a couple of different types of sump pumps available, too. The pedestal type has a motor on a column that juts out of the sump pit. The main benefit is the simplicity of repair and the lower cost of operation. The submersible type is constructed in such a way that the entire pump, including the motor, sits in the pit itself. It’s quieter than a pedestal sump pump.

Automation is Important

Almost all sump pumps are automated.  Automated sump pumps work via a float mechanism that is much like the one in the back of a toilet tank. Once the float reaches a certain height, the motor triggers and the pump turns on. After the float moves back below that point, the pump turns itself off. This offers protection even while you’re away from home, which provides you with additional peace of mind.

Sump pumps can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in damage simply by redirecting floodwater out of your home. Though they can cost a few hundred dollars to install, they can pay for themselves in a single rainy season. Be sure to contact a professional to learn more about your options and get an estimate for sump pump installation.