Have you thought of having an addition added to your home? Maybe you've considered adding a bathroom in a large hallway. Hiring contractors to make this sort of changes in your home is a way of experiencing growth. You've realized that your home no longer fits your life, and you want to expand it.
Making the decision to add on to your home, or to have any other type of construction work done, is a lot easier when you know a little about construction work. You can learn enough to inform yourself on this blog. We'll venture beyond the basics and into lots of great details.
A Few Things To Know About A Sump Pump Installation And Its Operation
A sump pump could mean the difference between a nice dry basement and water damage to your house or belongings. If there's a chance your basement could get wet, you probably want a sump pump before you store things in the basement or renovate it for extra living space. Here are a few things to know about sump pumps.
The Pumps Need A Basin To Collect Water
A sump pump installation requires a pump, drain, and water collection basin. There are two kinds of sump pumps. One is submerged under the water and the other is a pedestal pump that rests on the floor. The difference between the pumps is where they are placed. Both types of pumps need a water collection basin in the floor and a drain that leads water out of the house.
The basin is installed by busting up the concrete floor of your basement and digging a hole that collects the water that would otherwise spill on the basement floor. Basins come in different sizes, and if your sump pump is a new installation, talk to your contractor about the best size in gallons for the basin and the right size in power for the pump. If you're getting a replacement sump pump, then you can avoid installing a new basin and drains unless the old ones are defective or too small.
Having Two Pumps Is A Good Idea
Some high-quality pumps last for many years, but sump pumps fail at some point. If the problem is with a switch, repairs might be possible. However, if your basement is flooding and the rain is expected to last for hours, you need a quick solution to keep your basement from flooding.
Having a backup pump on standby is a good practice. A backup pump that runs on batteries is an even better idea. Then you'll be covered if the power goes out or if your main pump fails in the middle of a storm. When you have your main sump pump installed, have the backup system installed at the same time and then test them both regularly to make sure they're ready for rain.
Sump Pumps Need To Be Tested Regularly
It's a gamble to ignore your sump and just expect it to work when it starts raining. Sump pumps can fail unexpectedly. Something as simple as debris falling in the basin could block the float switch and keep the pump from turning on.
You can test the pump easily by pouring water in the basin. When the water level is high enough, the float switch should turn the pump on so it empties out the water. If the pump doesn't turn on or if the pump makes loud noises and works differently than it should, have the pump checked or it may not work when you need it to.
Reach out to a professional for sump pump installation or replacement.