Although the right location may be a desirable asset for many families and businesses, structures built within a floodplain or on certain types of soil might experience occasional flooding and other basement water problems.
A wet basement is more than just an inconvenience; it is also a problem that can cause extensive damage to building foundations.
One common solution for wetness in a basement or crawl space is a sump pump system.
If you have a wet basement, a sump pump may be the solution needed to keep that lower area dry.
What Is A Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a submersible piece of equipment that extracts water from a basement if flooding or considerable leakage occurs.
Sump pump systems are frequently installed in areas where flooded basements are common because they can quickly remove water from a basement and keep the area dry before water starts to accumulate on the floor.
They are useful for any basement water problem that could result in flooding, whether caused by groundwater intrusion or even a broken water pipe.
How Do Basement Sump Pump Systems Work?
Sump pumps are installed into a pit that is dug into the basement's foundation.
Water is guided to the pit via drainage pipes or channels installed in the basement flooring where it starts to pool.
Once the water reaches a certain volume in the pit, the pump activates and water is pumped out of the pit and basement to an area outside of and away from the basement.
As such, basement sump pump systems are typically left running all the time so they can activate whenever necessary and prevent flooding due to water accumulation beyond what is in the pit.
There are two types of basement sump pump solutions available:
- Submersible pumps that sit in the pit and water while running.
- Pedestal pumps that sit on a pedestal out of the pit and the pedestal serves to detect water accumulation.
Both of these pumps work essentially the same way to prevent basement water problems by removing water from the drainage pit.
When Is A Sump Pump Appropriate?
Sump pump systems are recommended for many homes based on the individual risk of basement flooding.
Homes on flood plains top the list of recommended areas, as basements there are more susceptible to even minor flooding after rainstorms and periods of high water content in the soil.
They are also recommended wherever the soil itself holds a lot of water or as a way to keep basements with a leaking foundation dry when other methods are not appropriate.
Some homeowners prefer to install a sump pump in their basement as a precaution against broken pipes and unexpected flooding from a malfunctioning water heater or washing machine.
Sump Pump - Your Wet Basement Solution!
If you experience basement water problems that are more than just some occasional dampness, a sump pump might be an effective wet basement solution.
For anyone who lives in a floodplain or area with very wet soil or if you just want protection against any potential flooding, a sump pump can help manage all of those issues.
Talk to an experienced foundation repair service about whether a sump pump is a solution for your wet basement or if there is some other solution to remedy the problem!
