What Is a Sump Pump - and Why Is It Important?
For those who live in areas with a lot of intense storms and rainfall, flooding can be a real problem, particularly in homes with basements or lower levels built into hillsides. And, of course, Nashville checks all of those boxes. So to protect their homes against the dangers of flooding, many Nashville homeowners install sump pumps. So what exactly is a sump pump?
A sump pump is a device installed at the lowest point in a home (usually in a basement or cellar) to pump unwanted water out of the house. In essence, it’s a real-time flood defense measure that can help avert hundreds or even thousands of dollars in water damage and is something every homeowner should consider investing in. This blog will outline the different types of sump pumps, how they work, and why they’re so important.
How Sump Pumps Work
Sump pumps are installed in a small pit dug into the lowest point of a basement or cellar, called a sump basin. Every sump pump contains a mechanism that triggers the pump to turn on when it detects a rising water level. When engaged, the pump sucks water from the basin. It sends it out of the basement through a hose (called an effluent), which spits the water somewhere away from the house, usually in a storm gutter or other city-approved disposal location.
Sump pumps are typically hard-wired into the home’s electrical system or simply plugged into a GFCI-protected outlet. Many models also feature a battery-powered backup pump that will engage in the event of a power outage.
Flooding can get out of hand without a sump pump, resulting in foundation damage, extensive water damage to the home and the possessions inside it, or mold growth that can be very difficult to remediate. And since Tennessee is no stranger to severe weather and flash floods, every homeowner would do well to have a reliable sump pump protecting their home.
Different Kinds of Sump Pumps
Pedestal pumps and submersible pumps are the two main types of sump pumps on the market. With a pedestal sump pump, the bulk of the device sits above the sump basin. The pump motor sits just above the basin, while the impeller or intake device sits submerged at the bottom of the basin. This design means the motor tends to last a long time and is more accessible for maintenance and repairs, but it also takes up more space and tends to be louder since the motor is in the open air instead of underwater.
With a submersible sump pump, the pump motor and impeller are housed in one unit, which sits at the bottom of the basin. With the pump submerged in water, these units are quieter, more discreet, and take up less space, but make sump pump repair and maintenance more difficult. Submersible units tend to be a little more expensive than pedestal pumps but are generally considered superior in terms of performance.
Sump pumps also come in different sizes and horsepowers. What horsepower sump pump homeowners need will depend on their specific setup and the distance their effluent needs to travel. When in doubt, homeowners should always consult a professional plumber to determine the right sump pump for them.
Benefits of Installing a Sump Pump
The clearest benefit of having a sump pump is that it protects the home against flooding and the damage it causes. But other key benefits often get overlooked.
Sump pumps also remove gradual moisture buildup that might seep into the basement from smaller rain showers. This keeps the overall moisture level down, which reduces the risk of mold and mildew infestation. A sump pump can even reduce the risk of fire since many electrical fires stem from short-circuits due to flooding. Sump pumps also protect any basement appliances like laundry machines and furnaces. Finally, a quality sump pump can even boost the home’s property value to some degree, adding an extra layer of protection against water damage and natural disasters. Homeowners have nothing to lose and everything to gain when they invest in a sump pump!
About Green Hills Plumbing
Green Hills Plumbing is a locally owned and operated company with expert technicians serving their neighbors in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for sump pump services in Nashville, TN.
