Three FAQs Regarding Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are your basement’s or crawlspace’s first line of defense against flood damage. In the event of a flood, they will pump large amounts of water out of your home thus significantly limiting the long-term impact of the flood. 

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From our water damage restoration experts at Restoration 1 of Low Country here are a few FAQs we frequently encounter regarding sump pumps. 

What Kinds Of Sump Pumps Are There?

There are four main types of sump pumps you have to choose from and these aren’t the only options but they are the most popular. There are pedestal pumps, submersible pumps, water-powered backup pumps, and battery-powered backup pumps. These each have different advantages and disadvantages depending on your circumstances. 

Pedestal pumps are great when you have a small basement that is mostly used for storage. They cannot pump as large quantities of water as other types of pumps and are fairly noisy, but they are smaller and more affordable. Submersible pumps are preferable for large basements that are frequently lived in. This is because they can pump larger amounts of water and are less noisy.

Along with one of these basic types of sump pumps, experts also recommend that you keep a backup pump on hand. One option for a backup pump is a water-powered backup pump. This requires water to run so it will increase your water bill, but it will activate immediately in the case of a flood. You can also choose from a battery-powered pump. This is set to activate if the power goes out so you can still pump water out of your basement in the case of a power outage.

How Do I Install A Sump Pump?

You may wonder, “Do I need a plumber to install a sump pump?” and the answer is: Yes. This is not the household project to put your DIY skills to the test. If it is improperly installed or wired, it can malfunction, not operate correctly as floodwaters rise, and cause a lot more headaches and expensive repairs than the initial cost for installation. A sump pump for a flooded basement can save a lot of trouble when set up properly.

What If My Sump Pump Fails?

That is just what the backups are for! If your sump pump fails during a flood, your water or battery-powered backup pump will help stave off the floodwater. Hopefully, the pump fails because of a simple clog or other minor problem, but anything more serious should be handled by a professional water damage restoration company.

Without getting too technical, there is still a lot to know about sump pumps. Fortunately, you don’t need to be an expert. As long as you have a functional sump pump installed, you will be well prepared to mitigate the damage and clean up the mess. Finally, for whatever mess you still have to deal with when it comes to water damage, give us a call at Restoration 1 of Low Country to help, a water damage company you can depend on.