What is a Sump Pump?
Choosing a good sump pump for your basement is important to prevent any moisture or flood-related issues. A sump pump is either pit or basin positioned under the basement floor that includes a container and a pump to remove any standing water. To prevent flooding in your home, you should initially ensure there is proper grading, appropriately diverted downspouts, a foundation drain, and a waterproof drain. Your last defense is selecting the best sump pump for your basement.
Types of Sump Pumps
Pedestal Pump
The design for this kind of pump is an upright electric pump, but its motor isn’t designed to get wet at the top. This pump operates with a float activated switch.
Electric Submersible Pump
Electric submersible pumps are designed to operate underwater. This pump can run off of a sealed internal switch or a float activated switch. A float activated switch is when the water rises to the point of float and then the switch activates the pump.
Water Powered Pump
Connected to a municipal water supply this type of pump functions by utilizing a valve. As water flows through the main where suction is formed and pulls the water out of the sump and goes into the discharge pipe.
Battery-Powered
Usually this type of pump should be located next to the main pump, and it comes on when the main pump can’t keep up with water inflow, during an electric outage, or main pump failure.
Backup Sump Pump
Powered by a generator these pumps are rated for a particular pump’s operational needs or the required wattage.
Choosing the Correct Size Sump Pump
After deciding on the specific type of sump pump for your basement, you have to determine the size needed for your home. Consider the following before selecting the size of your pump: the lift required for water discharge and water flow or capacity. A chart can be utilized to determine the flow vs. height of the lift needed for each type of sump pump. Determining the capacity is done by considering the drain area and the depth to the groundwater. Also, measuring the flow rate and the amount of water entering the basin while there is heavy rain can determine capacity.
