What Is A Sump Pump, And Why Do I Need One?

Depending on where you live, a sump pump can be one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home, but there’s also a chance that you may never need one. There’s nothing more soothing than the sound of a delicate thunderstorm. The thunder rumbles and rain tumbles softly on your windows. But peaceful sounds can induce panic when water starts to leak into your basement.

But what should you do if your basement begins to flood? Your basement will stay dry and your house will stay healthy if you have a sump pump that is installed properly.

Due to Calgary’s unfortunate flat terrain, flooding is an issue; chances are, your home already has a sump pump. If you don’t have one, here are a few useful tips from expert plumbing contractors in Calgary to give you an idea of what you should do.

Also Read: Why Should You Not Fix Your Plumbing Issues On Your Own?

What Is A Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a pump that is installed at the basement’s lowest point. Sometimes a pump will have a specialized area in the basement, such as a hole. It will be lower in elevation than the rest of the basement.

A float connected to a switch will be mounted on the pump. When the sump pump hole fills with water, the float activates the switch, which starts pumping water out of the basement through a line connected to the pump.

The Benefits Of A Sump Pump

A sump pump is a small investment that has significant benefits. Adding a sump pump to your house has the following advantages:

Protects your basement from floods.
Protects your basement appliances like the washer, dryer, and extra freezer against corrosion
Protects the paint and other wall coverings from peeling.
Reduces the formation of fungus, mold, and mildew.
Keeps termites and other insect incursions at bay.
Boosts indoor air quality.
Maintains your foundation.

Additionally, having a sump pump shows that your house is prepared for flooding. It serves as protection similar to a home security system. In the end, installing a safety measure like a sump pump will raise your home’s value and you won’t have to worry about frequent plumbing maintenance and repair costs.

How Do I Know If I Need One?

To decide whether you need a sump pump or not, you must confirm whether your home is prone to water accumulation. You will undoubtedly need one if flooding is a problem in the region, but even if you live in a safe location, there’s potential that you may accumulate too much moisture.

We recommend installing a sump pump if any of these conditions is true:

You live in an area that gets a lot of rain or snow.
Your house is situated in a flood-prone area.
You have a finished basement.
You’ve previously experienced water issues.

Sump Pump Installation

Several hardware stores sell sump pumps. You might be able to install it yourself if you do a lot of housework.

In particular, if your home doesn’t already have a sump pump pit installed, hiring a professional to do the task is your best option if you’re not confident about installing a sump pump.

Sump Pump Maintenance

A sump pump needs to be maintained after installation to function properly when you need it. The most important thing is to test your pump frequently. You may check your pump to see whether it’s functioning properly by slowly draining a five-gallon bucket of water into the sump basin. Make sure your pressure or float switch is activated by water. The sump pit should be drained by the pump.

If the pump does not start, it is time to replace it.

Additionally, verify where the sump pump drains. The practice of discharging sump pumps into the public water supply is often prohibited by cities. When there is a lot of rain, doing so might overload the sewer system.

About Jack’d Up Plumbing

At Jack’d Up Plumbing , we provide our clients in Calgary & area plumbing services. We specialize in drain cleaning and other plumbing-related services such as water and gas leak repair, bathroom and kitchen plumbing repairs and installations, water heater and furnace repair/installs, and more. With plenty of experience and knowledge in the industry, we can take on even the most challenging plumbing jobs.

Our prompt response and exceptional customer service make us your best choice for plumbing. Contact us for more information.