Looking for reliable sump pump services in Salem, MA? Call Spencer Home Services at 978-440-6021 today!
If you have a basement, you understand it’s at a higher risk of flooding than the rest of your house. Since our basements often act as storage rooms, game rooms, or offices, we don’t want them getting wet any more than the rest of the home.
If you’re wondering, “How do sump pumps work?” allow Spencer Home Services, one of the top-rated plumbers in Salem, MA, to explain the ins and outs behind sump pumps.
How Do Sump Pumps Work?
Sump pumps are sewage pumps that help reduce flooding during heavy rain. If you don’t have a direct drainage line in your basement, a sump pump can help mitigate flood waters as they arrive at the lowest point in your house. Sump pumps function in a basin that fills up with water before being pumped by the sump pump up and through a drainage tube that leads outside.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Sump Pump?
If you’re considering a sump pump, there are plenty of reasons why you may want one for your home:
Protects Your Floor, Walls, and Stuff
Since a sump pump rests at the lowest point in your house, water will naturally flow into it. If your house rests on an incline, this can help the sump pump more effectively move the water out of the house.
If you use your basement as a storage room, placing your sump pump on the opposite end of the room can help mitigate the damage to anything you store, protecting your basement from the worst flooding during rainy seasons.
Helps Mitigate Flooding
The entire purpose of a sump pump is to help fight flooding when it’s at its worst. If you don’t have a drain pipe, or if you do have a drain pipe on one end of a large basement, a sump pump can help by dispelling water during a flood. With a sump pump, you’ll never have to worry about harsh flood waters in your basement again.
Keeps Basements Dry
Basement flooding is inconvenient not just because of the danger to your items but also to the home’s infrastructure. Linoleum tile and flooring are both sensitive to damage via flood waters, even after you clean and dry as much as you can in the aftermath. If your basement has sensitive flooring, like wood planks or linoleum, having a sump pump can prevent the worst while you make your own flood prevention efforts.
What Types of Sump Pump Can I Get?
How do sump pumps work without power? With or without electricity, there are a few sump pumps you can get for your basement floor:
- Pedestal Sump Pumps: Pedestal sump pumps are vertical machines that have a motor at the top, pumping water from the basin to the discharge pipe. With easy access to the motor, it’s easier to check valve or motor functionality when undertaking maintenance.
- Submersible Sump Pumps: Submersible sump pumps are one of the most common types of pumps and only work as the water level rises. Since they function underwater, the pump is down in the pit, where the water flows.
- Battery Backup Sump Pumps: The battery-powered type of sump pump is the best option for power outage situations. If you frequently encounter storms where flooding and power outages happen simultaneously, you can lose the stressors of a standard sump pump by opting for one that operates on independent power.
- Combination Sump Pumps: If you want the best of both worlds between a battery-operated sump pump and one that uses electricity, consider the combination sump pump. In the event of a power failure, this sump pump operates off of a battery, making it the most versatile option.
- Water-Powered Sump Pumps: If you want to opt out of the notion of needing a battery or generator for your sump pump, try making the water work for you with a water-powered sump pump. Much like the submersible sump pump, this one only works underwater, making it a much quieter but ultimately more expensive option for your basement.
Get a New Sump Pump With Spencer Home Services in Salem, MA
Now that you know the answer to the question, “How do sump pumps work?” why not start relying on one? For all your plumbing repairs, installations, and needs, call the team with 40 years of experience at Spencer Home Services.
Installing a sump pump in the summer before the biggest rain seasons come is a great decision for your household and basement. Call Spencer Home Services today at 978-440-6021.
