Any house in the Columbus, OH area that has a basement is at risk of flooding. Ground water rises due to a strong storm or heavy snow melt – when the water level is higher than the foundation, it is possible for water to seep into basements through cracks and openings in walls or the floor. Without a reliable sump pump that is installed properly, this area of the home can quickly flood.
A flooded basement can lead to severe damage and property losses, causing thousands of dollars and needed repairs. Sump pumps are a type of plumbing device that is used to remove water from the lowest point in homes, which is commonly in basements. A sump pit is dug at the lowest point in the house to collect any water that seeps into the area – the sump pump activates when water in the sump basin reaches a predetermined level, causing the motor and impeller to runand the check valve to open in order toextract water from the pit. Water travels through a discharge hose and is expelled in a location away from the house.
The certified Columbus plumbers at Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers installation, repairs, and maintenance services for sump pumps in Columbus area homes. The right sump pump system will offer superior protection against flooding and damage in any circumstance. We recommend a primary pump that is either a submersible pump or pedestal pump as well as a battery backup sump pump that can operate in the event of a power outage to the home.
How Sump Pumps Work
The sump pit or sump basin is a small area that is dug out to sit below the level of the foundation in basements and crawl spaces and collect water that seeps in during periods of heavy storm rains or melting snow. The sump pump is a device that extracts water from this basin and moves it out of the basement or crawl space to protect the home and possessions stored in these areas.
As groundwater rises and seeps in through the foundation of the basement walls or floor, gravity causes the water to flow to the lowest area. This is why the sump pit is installed in this is zone. The design of the system provides sufficient collection of moisture to keep the basement dry and to protect the home’s foundation.
The sump pump’s motor and impeller work to pump water out of the basin. The check valve opens to allow water through the discharge hose and closes by gravitational pressure once pumping needs are met.
Submersible Pumps and Pedestal Pumps for Columbus Homes
The primary pump of a home is one of two types: a submersible pump or a pedestal pump.
- Submersible pumps sit down inside of the sump pit. The unit has a float switch which detects rising water levels while submerged. When float switches elevate to a certain position, they will activate the submersible pump.
- Pedestal pumps are installed above the sump basin. The motor is positioned out of the water so it is not submerged.
Should Homeowners Have a Battery Backup Sump Pump Installed?
The purpose of a sump pump system is to protect the home from flooding and water damage. The primary pump system uses the home’s electrical power to operate. In the event of a power outage, the primary pump will no longer be able to run when needed, no matter if the float arm tells the sump pump to activate.
It is also possible for sump pumps to fail at any point in time, and pump failure will leave your home without this line of defense against floods. You may not even know that your sump pump is not working properly until you find flooding in your basement. Sump pump failure can happen if sump pumps are not well maintained, if they have reached the end of their service life, if there are manufacturing defects, or if specific components break.
For these reasons, it is very wise to pursue installing a battery backup sump pump system. The backup pump is installed alongside the primary pedestal pump or submersible pumps but instead of connecting to the home’s electrical power, this unit has a dedicated battery that is used to run the unit when needed.
The backup pump system will activate when it receives a signal that says the main pump is not working at all or is not working correctly. Its float switch is typically set slightly higher than the float switch of the primary pump, causing it to activate when water climbs slightly higher than the water level at which the main sump pump would activate.
Installing a battery backup pump offers the best level of protection you can get for your basement or crawl space. If your primary pump fails or it is unable to handle the volume of water spilling into the area, you have a second piece of equipment that will drain water out of the house and keep your belongings dry.
Choosing a New Sump Pump
For most homeowners, replacing the sump pump before a critical failure is a priority. Sump pumps can last a varying amount of time, depending on how much they are used, how many hours they run, and how long they were running during each use.
When you replace a sump pump, whether it is the primary main pump or the secondary backup pump, there are many units to choose from. How do you determine the right sump pump for your home? The plumbing experts at Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can help you search through your options and determine the equipment that offers the features and functions you desire.
First you need to evaluate how many gallons of water must be removed from a basement area and the height at which water must be pumped to exit the house. This information will help you determine the amount of horsepower you need in a new submersible sump pump or pedestal pump. Many models have audible alarms which will alert homeowners when the sump pump turns on and runs, to provide some warning of water infiltration in the basement or crawl space so damage control can be done.
Sump Pump Repairs in Columbus, OH
It is critical that sump pumps work properly in order to protect your home’s basement or crawl space. If the pump is unable to drain water away from the house, it is time to call your plumber for repairs. Because the sump pump is not used frequently and is located out of sight in most homes, it’s wise to test the pump regularly in order to determine if there are power issues or other problems with the pump’s performance.
Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbingperforms sump pump repair for all types of submersible sump pumps and pedestal models, as well as battery backup sump pumps. Contact us to schedule a repair service visit with a licensed Ohio plumber.
Maintenance for Sump Pumps in Columbus, OH
After you install a new sump pump, be sure to account for its maintenance needs. Thorough maintenance can make a difference in the level of protection your pump will offer. Failing to meet the sump pump’s maintenance needs can result in flooding that leaves you with thousands of dollars of damage to repair. Not all homeowners realize that standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding damages caused by sump pump failure, meaning you will be on the hook financially to pay for the repairs and replacement items needed due to a bad sump pump and flood.
Have your sump pump professionally inspected and maintained by a licensed plumber at least once per year. A maintenance inspection as well as the service will search for issues and make sure they are corrected so that the sumps work properly when needed.
Homeowners should also take care to maintain the sump pump throughout the year outside of professional services. Regularly check the sump pit to ensure there are no debris, mold, or dirt deposits that could clog the discharge hose or check valve. Clean the sump basin and sump pump regularly to help maintain its condition.
Test your sump pump regularly to make sure it is running correctly and will work when needed. Pour a bucket of clean water down into the pit until there is enough water to raise the float arm. Once they float arm activates the pump, observe its operation to make sure it turns on correctly and discharges water through the hose. Check the connector between the pump and discharge hose, as well as the exit point outside the house. plastic pipe fittings may be damaged end block the exit point. These should be replaced immediately.