Do I Really Need A Sump Pump?

It’s just another rainy morning in the Twin Cities. Or is it? This morning you woke up and noticed that your basement was under water. Not the start you were looking for, right? If only you had a sump pump ready to rock and roll you’d be able to head out to work with a lot less to worry about.

How Low Can You Go

The best place for a sump pump is the lowest area of the basement or crawl space. This is where flooding tends to appear first. Why? If your foundation isn’t completely sealed off, water can come in through the walls, ground or windows.

Pump it Up

A home with a built-in sump pump will have what is known as a sump pit. This is typically the lowest area of the home and therefore, it’s where the sump pump should be installed.

Excess water can be directed out of the house through public drainage or to an area that won’t be compromised by any waste materials. Wherever you decide to pump excess water to, just be sure it’s far enough away that it won’t end up back in your basement.

Moving on Up, and Out

Make sure you are using the right pump for the right application. Sump pumps have different draw methods and can be operated in different conditions. Some must be submerged at all times while others will work even if they’re not completely covered.

Getting Back to Moving Forward

Most pumps have a “priming period” which means the pump does not have water running completely through it. The pump will operate efficiently once the pump is primed and is able to move water and not air. The pump will run until it’s turned it off by you, a timer, or by the amount of water in the area.