Have you heard of a sump pump before? You might have; after all, it’s an essential part of basement waterproofing for houses in areas with heavy rain.
But even if you haven’t heard or don’t know much about these pumps, then worry not! We are here to help you with how sump pump works so that you can see whether you need one or not.In this article, we will talk about what is a sump pump and how does it function. So, keep reading!
Table of Contents
What is a sump pump?
A sump pump is an electronic device used to remove accumulated water from sump basins. It’s commonly installed in basements where water gets collected easily. Also, it’s used in houses in areas with heavy rainfall.
During the rainy season, houses often start flooding as the groundwater enters through cracks in the house’s foundation. When the water level rises in the sump basin, the pump automatically turns on and pumps out the water.
A sump pump is made of either plastic or metal. It’s usually submerged inside the sump basin. However, there are also other variants available for different requirements. The primary function of a sump pump is to drain the water away from your house so that it no longer causes any problem.
Sump pumps often come with an alarm to warn you about the rise in water level when it becomes too high. You can even buy battery backup sump pumps for added protection as they work even during a power outage.
How does it work?
Now that you know what a sump pump is, you might be wondering how it works. Well, for starters, it’s installed in the lowest part of the basement. A hole of about 2′ deep and 18″ wide is dug into the basement floor to make a sump pit/basin. Also, the pump is placed in this pit.
Now, whenever the basement starts flooding, the water will enter the basin and get accumulated there. As a result, the pump will get activated.
A sump pump has a float switch that activates the pump. It rises with the rise in water level, and the pump starts draining the water out from the basin. From here, the water is taken out of the house through discharge pipes and discarded far away.
These pumps work really well in various conditions, including heavy rainfall, storms, and melting snow.
Conclusion
Now that you know a few things about sump pumps, you can see whether your house needs one or not. However, if your house is in an area with heavy rainfall and strong storms, we suggest you invest in a good sump pump to keep the property safe. Also, according to your requirements, you can look for different sump pumps like submersible, backup, or pedestal sump pumps and choose the one that seems the best to you. For more information, you can check out our website, Sumppump zone.