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A sump pump prevents flooding in basements by collecting excess water and draining it away from the home. There are two types of pumps, submersible and pedestal, and they are usually powered by electricity with the option for a backup battery. A float triggers the pump and most issues can be fixed by unclogging or replacing it.
A sump pump keeps the space under the basement and the basement itself from flooding during excessive storms. The sump is a small tank under the basement that is supposed to fill up when groundwater levels rise, instead of letting the water seep into the basement and cause damage. Using a sump pump to move water forces it to reach ground level far enough away from your home for it to drain properly.
Many homes in humid climates are built with a sump that drains the basement and area under the foundation of excess water. The sump collects flowing water, such as during storm flooding, as well as rising water from a saturated earth reservoir. Installing a sump pump ensures that whether the water comes from above or below, your basement will remain dry and structurally sound. Standing water in a basement is not only inconvenient, but over time it can begin to affect the integrity of your foundation.
There are two main types of sump pumps. The submersible variety combines the pump and waterproof motor into one unit that fits completely inside the sump, so it can get wet. The pedestal, or riser, type places the pump inside the sump with the motor perched on top of a column that extends above the basement floor. A pedestal pump motor is not meant to get wet. Both types connect to a long drain pipe that takes the water to an area at least 20 feet (6m) from your home, preferably to a location where it can drain. The capacity of a sump pump is related to the force of the motor, specified in horsepower, as well as the size of the outlet pipe.
Most sump pumps are powered by electricity. Sometimes people prefer to have a backup emergency pump that runs on batteries, in case a storm cuts them off. A plastic or rubber float, like the one found in your toilet tank, usually triggers sump pumps. When the water exceeds the critical level, the float rises and flips a switch that starts pumping the motor. Most problems with the sump pump performance can be corrected by unclogging or replacing the float.
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