If you live in a flood-prone area, near a body of water like a lake, river or the ocean or an area with a heavy rain season, a sump pump in your basement, crawlspace or lowest point of your home is a must as it can save you money, manual work and headaches. If your sump pump system fails during an event like a heavy rainfall season, high tide or hurricane, your basement and lower parts of your home can flood in minutes causing extensive damage to your valuables and property, not to mention the huge expense that comes with basement flood cleanup. It’s important to understand what sump pump type is best for your house as there are several options available depending on your needs and house infrastructure. Learning how pick the right sump pump for your home is one of the best things you can do to protect it before you’re in trouble.

Different Kinds of Sump Pumps and Their Use

A house sump is a low space that collects liquids such as rain water and prevents the flooding of spaces like basements and crawl spaces. A sump pump as the name implies, is a pump used in that space for the removal of the collected water. Sump pumps come in diverse shapes, sizes, applications and power and they all function similarly but in fundamental different ways. There are two main types of sump pumps to consider when shopping: pedestal and submersible. Each type has its pros and cons, and you must carefully weigh them to determine which is best for your particular situation. The following list of individual characteristics and features will help you understand which factors to consider when choosing the right one for you.

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Submersible Sump Pumps

Submersible sump pumps are comprised of one motor and pump built in a single unit and generally they sit inside the basement’s sump. It is usually enclosed in a waterproof container because of the setup that lets it rest in water. The underwater operation reduces the noise level and helps with the cooling of the pump’s motor. This kind of pump also filters debris that otherwise would clog the pump. This sump pump may come with a free-moving float switch that can be set to a pre-set depth, so that the pump turns on when water levels rise above the pre-set level, which protects your home from flooding. The pump turns off automatically when water level in the basement system or other areas are below the pre-set level.

When installing a new submersible sump it is recommended to keep in mind that you will need a large power cord as submersible pumps must be plugged directly into the electrical receptacle without using an extension cord and it might require heavier gauge wiring to ensure sufficient voltage at the motor for proper pump performance. The right kind and length of the pump’s power cord will protect you against malfunctions, short circuits and electrical shocks.

Pedestal Sump Pumps

Pedestal sump pumps stand at floor level, rather than sitting under floor level like the submersible sump pumps and they are usually used in situations where the sump pump pit is either very narrow or shallow to use a submersible sump pump as the pedestal pump sits next to the sump pit rather than within. Pedestal sump pumps have their motor mounted high, on a place that will stay dry and well above the sump basin and it’s important to ensure that the motor is mounted in an area where it won’t get wet or submerged since it is not waterproof. Due to the lack of a waterproof motor, pedestal sump pumps are only appropriate for shallow sump pits. Some of their cons are that they run louder than their submersible counterparts and they can’t easily handle particles that may wind up in the water.

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Battery and Secondary Sump Pump Backups, a Wise Investment

During a storm, severe winds and lightning can knock out power lines and to avoid your sump pump from shutting down due the lack of power, we always recommend investing in a battery backup system and a second sump pump. When it comes to protecting your home and your belongings from flooding and water damage, preparedness and forward thinking are a must, and this is where having battery backups and a secondary sump pump will make the difference in the unfortunate event your primary pump fails, becomes overwhelmed, or in the case of a power outage. They’re well worth the investment.

Protecting Your Home Also Increases Its Value

A sump pump that’s in good working condition makes the home more attractive to a potential buyer and might raise the property’s value overall. A basement that’s kept dry is more likely to be structurally sound, clean and mold and mildew free, than one that floods nearly every time it rains. When you invest in a quality sump pump, an emergency battery backup and a secondary sump pump, you are not just protecting your home and gaining peace of mind, you are also increasing the value of the property by keeping it safe from floods and water damage, and in case you decide to sell or rent the property, peace of mind for your future buyers or tenants.

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.