What Aspect Should People Consider Before Purchasing the Sump Pump?

Do you need a sump pump? Have you taken the time to consider what type of sump pump you want? Here are some things you should know before installing one!

These are only some of the questions you need to ask yourself before purchasing a sump pump. Hold on! Before you spend around $1,000, first find out if your home even requires the need of a sump pump. After that, consider what kind of sump pump you want, how it should be installed, and the safety procedures to follow. For many people, the area which they reside makes it a requirement to own a sump pump. However, if you are in a location where this device is not a requirement, that doesn’t mean you don’t need one.

Sump pumps are used to eliminate moisture and prevent flooding in a household. If your basement always contains a musty smell and seems to feel damp/humid, your house might have a moisture problem. A way to check this theory is to tape a small piece of plastic onto your hard-surfaced walls and floor of your basement. In a couple of days, remove the plastic, and if it’s wet, you need as sump pump.

Uses And Types Of Sump Pump

Another factor that determines the need for a sump pump is location. If you live in a place that is prone to flooding, a sump pump might be a good idea. Let’s say you live in an area that is super dry but has heavy snowfall, you too might need a sump pump because fast melting snow could lead to a flooded basement. After you have decided whether or not you need a sump pump, take the time to determine what kind you should purchase. There are two types of sump pumps to choose from: automatic and manual. An automatic sump pump turns on automatically when it feels an increase in outside pressure (water) or if water reaches the float activator arm of the pump. Manual sump pumps work only when you turn it on.

Although automatic pumps are easier and more reliable, manual pumps are a bit cheaper. The next question to consider is whether you want a submersible or pedestal sump pump design. A submersible pump is submerged into the pit where water accumulates. At the bottom of the submersible design, a pump is ready to suck the water up through the machine and out into pipes, to be led away from your household. A pedestal sump pump is located above the pit on a long stick (like a pedestal) to be kept away from the water. This pump has a long tube that sucks water out of the pit and out into the pipes. Although pedestal pumps are cheaper than submersible pumps, they are also louder.

Qualities in Sump Pump

Now, you want to think about how much horsepower your sump pump should contain. If your house is prone to intense flooding, you will need more horsepower than a home with a minor moisture problem. The higher the horsepower, the more work the pump exerts. It would be a waste of money to purchase a sump pump with too much or too little horsepower than needed; so think about how extreme your moisture problem is. With the right equipment and tools, one could install or replace a sump pump on their own. However, this process involves a lot of labor and can end up costing more if you’re not too handy in installation. Although, this decision is solely based on the consumers opinion.

If you think you are capable of installing a sump pump on your own, go for it. But if you aren’t trustworthy with tools, call a professional. As with every form of machinery, there are safety precautions to follow to allow reliable and safe use. If you already own a sump pump, always stay up to date on your pump maintenance to see if the device needs fixing or a replacement.

Check your sump pump at least once a year to ensure it’s in good condition. Make sure you have a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) to plug your sump pump into. A GFCI is an electrical outlet that trips the circuit and cuts off electricity when it suspects a loss of current due to an electrical imbalance in the flow of a circuit. This gadget is known for being much safer than other appliances and can save you from electrocution or a fire. Keep in mind that the GFCI should be close enough to the sump pump that an extension cord is not required. Never plug your sump pump into an extension cord unless you want to risk serious injury.

Tips For Choosing Sump Pump

A little pro tip for your sump pump is to always make sure you have a battery backup. Sump pumps run off of electricity, so if there is ever a power outage, you’ll need a back up battery to be certain that your pump still works. Back up batteries are also good because during the event of a massive flood, power outages usually occur and a backup battery is exactly what one needs to fight against a flooded home. Another tip to consider after installing a sump pump is an alarm system. Having an alarm system will let you sleep at night knowing that if your sump pump were to malfunction in any way, you’d be informed with enough time to fix the problem. There are many types of sump pump alarms to choose from. If you have Amazon Prime, you might even be in luck to receive free shipping with your pump alarm purchase.