The Dangers of Water Damage
Everyone who has a house with a basement should be aware of the possibility of water leaking through the foundation.
Some leaks will only cause the basement to be slightly damp, but others can do extensive damage to your property and belongings.
If you have problems with water leaking into your basement, the most effective solution is installing, if you have not already done so, a sump pump.
While this will not fix everyone's water problems, it can help you avoid having to get expensive professional help with your foundation.
Also, while sump pumps can save you a lot of money, there are a lot of factors involved in correctly choosing and installing the right pump for your needs, and it is important to know what you are doing.
This article will help you decide if a sump pump is right for you and, if so, guide you through the process of selecting and installing one.
Choosing the Right Pump to Purchase As with most things, the more money you spend, the higher the quality of the product you get.
This does not mean that you should buy the most expensive pump on the market, but simply that you should know your needs before deciding on a pump.
When deciding what you need in a pump, it is important to consider the following features: • Size • Horsepower • Power-Failure Protection Where Will You Put Your Pump? The size of your prospective pump is important because the pump has to fit in the space you have allotted for it.
Most people prefer to place their pump in a pit to reduce the noise it makes.
It is important to know the size of your pit before buying a pump.
Although most pumps will fit in a pit that is 18 inches wide and 24 inches deep, it is cheaper to plan ahead than to have your basement modified to fit your pump.
If your pit is too small a pedestal pump as opposed to a submersible pump may be a better match for you.
They require less interior width space.
How Much Pumping Will Be Done? Perhaps the most important thing you need to know is how strong a pump you need.
This will be determined by how much water your pump will need to handle.
This is where planning is really essential; you first need to get an idea of how much water your basement usually takes on when it rains and how at-risk you are for flooding.
Insurance agents can help you determine the flood-risk factor where you live.
Each pump has a horsepower rating, generally ranging from ¼ to ¾ horsepower.
Knowing how much water you would like your pump to be able to handle and avoiding buying a pump that has more power than you need can save you a lot of money and possibly even prevent water damage.
To decrease the amount of work your pump has to do, you can always use landscaping techniques, like raising the elevation of the soil next to your foundation or irrigating by other means.
Are You Worried About Power Failure? Many people, particularly those who are more concerned with the risk of flooding in their area than with small foundation leaks, choose to buy a submersible pump with power-failure protection-not a bad idea, considering power outages and floods often go hand in hand.
These pumps are equipped with an alarm that alerts you if there is a problem and a battery that serves as a backup power source for emergencies.
Installation The most important thing to remember when installing a pump, whether it is a Gorman Rupp pump or a Little Giant submersible pump, is to follow whatever instructions are provided by the manufacturer.
Generally, this means using 1 ½" to 2" PVC piping with rubber (preferred) or cement couplings, a check valve, and a GFC, or ground fault circuit interrupter.
Make sure your discharge pipe will carry excess water at least three feet from your house's foundation.
It is important to make sure your pump is connected to its discharge pipe before placing it in its pit.
Ideally, your pit will be located at the lowest point in your basement, as this is where water will tend to gather.
The digging of a pit is usually best handled by experts, but installing your own pump is a great way to save money.
Before you are finished, make sure you test your pump by pouring a significant amount of water into your pit.
Maintenance Regular maintenance is very important, especially if your pump does not have a failure alarm.
It is recommended that every two months you check your pipes for obstructing debris, make sure your batteries are fully charged (if you have a backup system), and that everything is plugged in properly.
Additionally, you should remove your pump and clean its pit at least once a year and perform regular checks to make sure your system is working.
If you ever have any doubts or questions, call a professional.
Some leaks will only cause the basement to be slightly damp, but others can do extensive damage to your property and belongings.
If you have problems with water leaking into your basement, the most effective solution is installing, if you have not already done so, a sump pump.
While this will not fix everyone's water problems, it can help you avoid having to get expensive professional help with your foundation.
Also, while sump pumps can save you a lot of money, there are a lot of factors involved in correctly choosing and installing the right pump for your needs, and it is important to know what you are doing.
This article will help you decide if a sump pump is right for you and, if so, guide you through the process of selecting and installing one.
Choosing the Right Pump to Purchase As with most things, the more money you spend, the higher the quality of the product you get.
This does not mean that you should buy the most expensive pump on the market, but simply that you should know your needs before deciding on a pump.
When deciding what you need in a pump, it is important to consider the following features: • Size • Horsepower • Power-Failure Protection Where Will You Put Your Pump? The size of your prospective pump is important because the pump has to fit in the space you have allotted for it.
Most people prefer to place their pump in a pit to reduce the noise it makes.
It is important to know the size of your pit before buying a pump.
Although most pumps will fit in a pit that is 18 inches wide and 24 inches deep, it is cheaper to plan ahead than to have your basement modified to fit your pump.
If your pit is too small a pedestal pump as opposed to a submersible pump may be a better match for you.
They require less interior width space.
How Much Pumping Will Be Done? Perhaps the most important thing you need to know is how strong a pump you need.
This will be determined by how much water your pump will need to handle.
This is where planning is really essential; you first need to get an idea of how much water your basement usually takes on when it rains and how at-risk you are for flooding.
Insurance agents can help you determine the flood-risk factor where you live.
Each pump has a horsepower rating, generally ranging from ¼ to ¾ horsepower.
Knowing how much water you would like your pump to be able to handle and avoiding buying a pump that has more power than you need can save you a lot of money and possibly even prevent water damage.
To decrease the amount of work your pump has to do, you can always use landscaping techniques, like raising the elevation of the soil next to your foundation or irrigating by other means.
Are You Worried About Power Failure? Many people, particularly those who are more concerned with the risk of flooding in their area than with small foundation leaks, choose to buy a submersible pump with power-failure protection-not a bad idea, considering power outages and floods often go hand in hand.
These pumps are equipped with an alarm that alerts you if there is a problem and a battery that serves as a backup power source for emergencies.
Installation The most important thing to remember when installing a pump, whether it is a Gorman Rupp pump or a Little Giant submersible pump, is to follow whatever instructions are provided by the manufacturer.
Generally, this means using 1 ½" to 2" PVC piping with rubber (preferred) or cement couplings, a check valve, and a GFC, or ground fault circuit interrupter.
Make sure your discharge pipe will carry excess water at least three feet from your house's foundation.
It is important to make sure your pump is connected to its discharge pipe before placing it in its pit.
Ideally, your pit will be located at the lowest point in your basement, as this is where water will tend to gather.
The digging of a pit is usually best handled by experts, but installing your own pump is a great way to save money.
Before you are finished, make sure you test your pump by pouring a significant amount of water into your pit.
Maintenance Regular maintenance is very important, especially if your pump does not have a failure alarm.
It is recommended that every two months you check your pipes for obstructing debris, make sure your batteries are fully charged (if you have a backup system), and that everything is plugged in properly.
Additionally, you should remove your pump and clean its pit at least once a year and perform regular checks to make sure your system is working.
If you ever have any doubts or questions, call a professional.
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