Most folks might not know a sump pump until their basement is ankle-deep in cold water suddenly. It’s a scenario that many Calgary plumbers know all too well since a damaged sump pump can quickly turn into a plumbing emergency. Knowing what a sump pump is and how it works can better understand any issues that might arise in the future and deal with them accordingly.
What is a Sump Pump?
In 1946, the sump pump was invented by U.S. Navy electrician Karl Niedermeyer to help prevent large amounts of water from collecting under a house’s foundation. It became a mandatory inclusion for homes after the late 80s since it helps prevent groundwater intrusion by removing water accumulated in the sump basin. Typically the collected water from the sump basin comes from storms or when the groundwater level is above your basement floor – hence why you can find a sump pump in the basement.
How Does a Sump Pump Function?
First, where can you find a sump pump in your basement? You can find a sump pump by knowing where the sump basin is located – usually in a corner or against an outside wall. Once you find it, you will see many holes in your sump basin wall, all of which connect to a drain pipe. Depending on your home, some drain pipes will come from weeping tile pipes outside the bottom of your home’s foundation, while others connect to interior drainage systems under your basement floor.
When groundwater collects and flows into a drain pipe into your sump basin, the sump pump kicks into gear when it reaches a certain level. Depending on your sump pump, it activates in one of two ways: a pressure sensor or a float activator arm. The pressure sensor sends a signal to your pump when water pressure exceeds a certain level. A float activator arm uses an attached buoyant ball that floats on the water’s surface, where the sump pump is activated when the water level reaches a certain height.
Once the sump pump gets into gear, an impeller inside your pump draws water out of the sump basin and sends it up a discharge pipe. You can expect the discharge pipe to empty far from your home’s foundation.
How to Maintain a Sump Pump?
Maintenance is important. If you have issues with your sump pump, it can become a bigger issue. A faulty sump pump can result in terrible water damage like flooding, warped wood, cause rot, and lead to mold growth that can be expensive to cover the costs on.
Some factors that indicate a damaged sump pump:
- Strange noises
- Visible rust
- Vibrates too much when running
- Infrequent pump usage
- Running too much
- Irregular cycling
- Older than seven years
- Motor stuck or motor failure
For maintenance, it’s recommended to get a sump pump regularly inspected every three to four months, with a more in-depth one to be done annually by a plumber.
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