Sump pumps are found in Indianapolis area homes with basements and crawlspaces, protecting the home from flooding and water damage. There are multiple types of sump pumps available – how do you know which type is the best choice when you need to replace or upgrade your existing unit?
The licensed Indianapolis plumbers of Mr. Plumber explain the different types of sump pumps available for installation in your Central Indiana home. Learn the ins and outs of each system type to determine the best solution for your home’s needs.
Mr. Plumber is here to assist area homeowners with quality installation of reliable sump pump systems. Don’t leave your home unprotected – contact us today to receive an estimate for sump pump installation.
Basement or crawlspace moisture is a problem that affects 60% of American homeowners. Excessive rainfall, significant snow melt, and other issues cause groundwater levels to rise and moisture to infiltrate the home’s foundation walls. Moisture in these below-ground areas causes damage to items stored within as well as foundation and structural damage to the home. Moisture problems also contribute to the growth of mold and mildew, causing further damage to the home as well as health effects to occupants when exposed.
Homes with foundations that sit below ground level experience infiltration of groundwater, which leaves the home’s underground spaces vulnerable to water damage. To combat this risk, homes built on a basement or crawlspace typically have a sump pump installed to remove the excess water.
At the home’s lowest point sits the sump pit, which is a shallow basin that collects incoming water. The sump pump removes water from the sump pit when levels reach a set point. The sump pump moves water away from the home to prevent flooding of the basement or crawlspace, as well as moisture damage.
If your Indianapolis area home is built on a crawlspace or basement, a primary sump pump system is a necessity that protects against flooding and water damage. If your home does not already have a sump pump installed and a sump pit dug, it is possible to retrofit existing homes for installation of a primary sump pump system.
There are two basic types of sump pumps available for use in your home:
As their name suggests, pedestal sump pumps have a motor installed atop a pedestal that sits out above the sump pit. On automatic models, a vertical float switch sits down within the sump pit to detect water levels – when water levels reach a set point, the float switch activates the pump to remove water.
Submersible sump pumps sit down within the sump pit, unlike pedestal sump pumps. The unit is waterproof and automatic models also use a float switch to detect water levels and trigger operation when the volume of water in the sump pit becomes too high.
When evaluating types of sump pumps for your Central Indiana home, another extremely important consideration is how the sump pump operates – is it manual or automatic?
As you can see, a manual sump pump could be problematic. If you are unaware of rising groundwater levels or flooding below your home, you don’t know to turn on the sump pump, opening the door for more damage. Manual sump pumps are typically cheaper to install, but the price difference between these types of sump pumps and automatic models is minimal and not worth the risk to most homeowners.
For many Central Indiana homeowners, installation of a backup sump pump is a wise investment that safeguards against water damage should the primary sump pump fail.
Sump pumps are out of sight and out of mind in most homes, which means homeowners aren’t always aware of malfunctions until it is too late. A backup sump pump turns on if the primary system fails to remove water and hopefully prevent flooding in your basement or crawlspace.
Battery backup sump pumps are a common choice for a backup sump pump system. These units operate off battery power, not the home’s electrical supply, meaning they are able to run during a power outage where other types of sump pumps that are hardwired cannot.
These types of sump pumps use durable marine batteries that power the backup system for various lengths of time, depending on the model and the frequency of pump cycles. They are installed within the same sump pit as the primary unit, with a float switch positioned slightly higher than that of the primary. This way, if the primary pump does not initiate to remove water from the pit, the backup sump pump is able to detect when water levels are too high and start operation.
One nice feature about these types of sump pumps is that many include an alarm, which alerts homeowners when the backup system initiates. This tells you there is an issue that prevents your primary sump pump from working, so you are able to call for sump pump repair.
Another backup option for use when primary sump pumps fail is a water-powered backup sump pump. These types of sump pumps utilize water pressure to pump water from the sump pit, not electricity or battery power. They attach to the home’s water supply line and move water through the pipe at a high rate, which creates suction to empty water from the sump pit.
These types of sump pumps are not valid backup solutions for every home. First of all, their use increases water consumption, which also raises your water bill – for this reason, your municipality may not allow their use. Water-powered backup sump pumps also aren’t a solution for homes on wells, as a power outage shuts off electricity to the well pump, leaving the home without the necessary water supply to operate this backup system. Specific plumbing requirements must be present for a water-powered backup sump pump to optimally work in a home.
Sump pumps protect homes from expensive water damage and moisture problems, when in good working order. For peace of mind, many Central Indiana homeowners choose a strong primary sump pump as well as a reliable backup unit to decrease the risk of flooding in their basements or crawlspaces.
Having trouble deciding between the types of sump pumps available for use in your Indianapolis area home? That’s what we are here for – turn to Mr. Plumber’s plumbing experts to help you identify the right equipment for your needs and budget. Trust our licensed plumbers to install your new sump pump correctly, so it delivers reliable protection when you need it most.
Request an estimate for sump pump installation today – give us a call.