A sump pump is a crucial plumbing equipment typically installed below the basement floor to remove excess water from your home. It helps prevent flooding, electrocution, property damage, and mold growth, especially after a heavy storm or plumbing system damage. If you live in a house without a basement, your sump pump installation process will be slightly different. Here’s what to expect.
Sump Pumps in Home Foundations
After heavy rainfall, excess water tends to accumulate around or near the house. Prolonged water accumulation can weaken the foundation and cause cracks to appear due to the pressure exerted by the house. These cracks create a pathway for water to enter the house, encouraging mold growth and other safety hazards.
The only reasonable solution to this problem is installing a sump pump at the lowest point around your home or in the crawlspace. It draws all the water accumulated around the house and pumps it to a well, pond, municipal drain, or even a grassy area.
How it Works
Sump pumps are almost always paired with a basin (or pit) to collect water from around the house. Inside this pit, there’s a float switch that rises with the accumulating water. When it reaches a designated height, it will activate the sump pump.
The sump pump has a small fan-like device that spins rapidly to create a low-pressure area inside the pit, drawing water to a pump that pushes it out through a discharge line. Once water is cleared, the float switch will drop, turning off the sump pump.
Alternatives to Under-Basement Floor Installation
If you don’t have a basement to install the sump basin, you can set it up in the crawl space: the section of your home between the ground and the first floor. These spaces are typically five feet tall, which is more than enough for a sump pump system.
It is highly recommended that you hire a qualified plumber to install the sump pump in the crawl space. They have special tools and expertise to safely and efficiently do the job.
The Set-Up Process
The installation process starts with digging a hole that’s about two to ten feet deep at the lowest point in the crawl space. The chosen location should have easy access for future maintenance and repair needs.
Your plumber must ensure there’s a slope leading up to the hole for easy water flow. So, they may install drain tiles stretching from the foundation wall to facilitate water movement.
Next, they’ll place several inches of pea gravel or river rock at the bottom of the sump hole to stabilize the basin. Then, they’ll install a sump pump liner. This is usually a plastic or metal bucket that prevents dirt and debris from getting inside the basin and clogging the pump. Note that the pea gravel may provide additional filtration for the sump pump.
The following step is installing the basin. This is where water will accumulate first before it is pumped away. The basin will have a discharge pipe and, sometimes, a cover. Your plumber will place the pump inside or atop the basin, depending on the type you purchased. Once everything is set, they’ll connect the sump pump to a power supply and test it for proper functioning.
Types of Sump Pumps
Not all sump pumps are the same; some are built to work best in heavily flooded areas, while others are designed to handle small homes with relatively moderate rainfall. Here are the four main kinds you can buy today.
Submersible Sump Pumps
Submersible sump pumps are placed at the bottom of the sump pit. They contain the pump and motor in one unit and operate underwater. Due to their design, they save space, run at very low noise levels, and are very efficient. They are also quite durable.
Pedestal Sump Pumps
Unlike submersible sump pumps, the pump and motor of pedestal sump pumps are not inserted inside the basin. Instead, they are placed above and close to the basin. The pump is designed to draw water from the pit and send it through a hose and out to a designated drain area.
Pedestal sump pumps work best in limited spaces and buildings with minimal flood risk. Their build makes them easier to maintain and gives them a longer lifespan. However, they tend to be a lot louder than submersible sump pumps.
Battery-Powered Backup Sump Pumps
Battery-powered backup sump pumps are ideal for areas that experience power outages during a storm. You can get a submersible or pedestal sump pump with a battery backup.
Water-Powered Backup Sump Pumps
Water-powered backup sump pumps take advantage of the pressure from the municipal water supply to create a suction that draws surrounding water into their basin. They don’t require a power source and will work indefinitely. However, you’ll notice a spike in your water bills, and they are less powerful than other types of sump pumps.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Sump Pump
There are a lot of features and specifications to a residential sump pump system installed in crawlspaces. To ensure you get the best deal, consider the following factors when making your purchase.
1. Sump Pump Materials
The material of your sump pump is by far the most important factor to consider because it determines the system’s longevity, effectiveness, and repair and maintenance frequency. Thermoplastic sump pumps should be your last option. Cast iron sump pumps are durable but tend to overheat and rust after approximately ten years.
Aluminum is the best material available today. They don’t rust and can withstand every pressure your sump pump system will face during its lifespan.
2. Horsepower
An average residential home only needs a 1/3 horsepower sump pump system. They have enough power to handle vertical lifts of up to 10 feet pits.
If you live in a slightly bigger home with an above-average water table, you should consider a ½ horsepower sump pump system. They are 35% to 40% stronger than the 1/3 horsepower counterparts.
3. Minimum Warranty
A warranty is a manufacturer’s way of cosigning their product’s build quality. Typically, the longer the warranty, the better the system. Plus, you can have peace of mind knowing that in case your sump pump experiences issues, you won’t have to bear replacement or repair costs.
4. Additional Features
Finally, look for handy accessories that can help improve your experience with your sump pump. For instance, some types come with alarms that go off when something is wrong. Also, you can find sump pumps with anti-freeze lines that will prevent water from freezing up when the temperatures drop too low.
Contact Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling for More Information
If your Indianapolis, IN, home doesn’t have a basement, call Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today to discuss other viable options for installing a sump pump system. Our team has experience addressing the unique plumbing challenges of every kind of home, ensuring effective and reliable sump pump solutions. You can also call us for other services, such as downspout installation, plumbing system inspection, and septic tank maintenance.
