Does a sump pump use a lot of electricity?
The most energy-efficient sump pumps use less than 0.5 horsepower. A ⅓ horsepower sump pump uses around 800-1050W while running and 13,000-4,100W to start up, whereas a 0.5-hp sump pump uses more than 1.5 times that amount just to start up.
What happens when the sump pump cycles too frequently? If you hear your sump pump running, that's a sign it's working and pushing water out of the sump pump pit. However, if it continuously runs and not from the amount of water entering the pit, that means there's an issue with the system.
If the sump pump continuously operates without water in the pit, it may overheat and die, leaving your basement vulnerable to flooding and extensive water damage. You'll also be saddled with the pump replacement and installation cost.
While a sump pump signifies a seller is taking the initiative towards addressing moisture in the home, its presence in the basement will typically raise the antenna of buyers, agents, and home inspectors.
It's perfectly normal for a sump pump pit to always have some water in it. This water can be the result of rain, snowmelt, or seepage from the ground. That being said, when the water rises to a certain level, this should trigger your sump pump's float switch. This will cause the pump to turn on and start working.
A sump pump should only run when it is needed. This could be a significant amount, and for various reasons. If you live in a very wet climate, then the water table may be higher than your basement floor, which means that the pump could run 2 or 3 times a day for a couple of minutes.
Sump pump and/or liner is too small or too big - The sump pump may just not be big enough to handle the job, so it runs continuously to keep up (see #1 above). Or the pump is powerful enough but the sump pit may be too small, causing it to fill up too fast and triggering the sump pump to work overtime.
Since discharges can't be run into sewer or septic systems, the only option is to run them out into your yard. A professional sump pump installer will work with you to determine a good location for the discharge to exit your home and pump the water to a place where it can run off efficiently.
A clogged drain line can make a sump pump run even with no rain or excess water in sight. Over time, the drain line can fill with debris making it difficult for water to pass though. When water can't drain it will build up in the basin causing the pump to malfunction. If not repaired, the pump can overheat and fail.
Overworked Sump Pump
If you've recently experienced heavy rains, your sump pump may be overwhelmed by a heavy flow of water. When your sump pump is overwhelmed or overworked, it can end up breaking down or malfunctioning.
Can a sump pump empty into sewer?
It is critical that sump pumps discharge to the yard or storm sewer, not to the sanitary sewer. It is illegal to connect your sump pump into your sanitary lateral. Not only can this cause serious health and safety concerns, it is also costing county rate payers.
The average homeowner sump pump is between 1/3 and 1/2 horsepower. The average discharge rate is between 2500 to 3200 gallons per hour (gph) or 42 to 53 gallons per minute (gpm).
Like other appliances and equipment in your home, your sump pump won't last forever. Averaging about 10 years, you might not notice your sump pump has malfunctioned until it has stopped working. And once it does, water damage to your home and the belongings within it can follow closely behind.
Does having a sump pump affect insurance cost? Having a sump pump can not only protect your home from flooding, but it can also lower your coverage costs. Since a sump pump lowers your risk for a claim, some insurers offer discounts for your due diligence to mitigate potential accidents.
One of the main and biggest causes of a sump pumps natural life span being shortened is a lack of maintenance. Having a regular schedule set up with a trained sump pump specialist is a sure fire way to keep your sump pump healthy, lengthen its lifespan and get the most out of your waterproofing investment.
Can installing a sump pump get you a discount on insurance? Sump pumps are just one of many ways to prevent flooding in your home, and installing one could minimize your risk of having to make an insurance claim. As a result, homeowners and renters with sump pumps could qualify for a discount on home insurance.
FAQs About Installing and Running Sump Pumps
Pedestal sump pumps, which are smaller than submersible sump pumps, usually feature around one-third to one-half horsepower motors, which amounts to about $15 to $20 per month in electricity costs.
A sump pump is a relatively inexpensive water mitigation system. But like any piece of equipment in your home, it will eventually fail which can result in flooding, water backups, or water damage to your basement.
Many plumbers solve only simple sump pump problems. But a sump pump is often part of a system that keeps the basement or crawl space dry. So if the water problem in your basement or crawl space extends beyond your sump pump, a plumber likely won't be able to help.
Overworked Sump Pump
Sump pumps safely discharge water that would otherwise flood a home's basement or foundation safely away from the property. Heavy rains can cause your sump pump to work overtime to protect your home against flooding. This increases the risk of the sump pump overheating or getting burned out.
Can I pour vinegar in my sump pump?
This can build up on the sump pump's impeller and cause damage. DON'T use concentrated bleach or vinegar on your sump pump. When using the recommended cleaning compounds, follow the needed water dilution to keep your sump pump safe. DON'T disassemble the unit invasively while cleaning.
After first emptying the sump, a pressure jet pump is used to clean it of silt, dirt and algae. A potassium permanganate solution is then used to disinfect the tanks. Attention is also paid to clean the sump cover too which can collect a lot of dirt. Connecting pipes, foot valves, floating ball valves are also cleaned.
Ensure your sump pump doesn't sit on debris such as silt or gravel, which could be sucked up into the pump, ruining the motor. Instead, place it on steady, flat bricks. Also, ensure the sump basin has a filter fabric around it to stop debris from coming in.
What Causes a Sump Pump to Short Cycle? In most cases, short cycling is a symptom of a fault in your pump's float switch—a device which floats on the surface of the water in your sump basin and then turns your pump on when the water reaches a particular level.
Never unplug your sump pump.
While you might think you don't need your sump pump drain hose over the winter months, you shouldn't unplug it entirely. If a warm front comes through, snow melts and a rainstorm hits, you might end up with a wet basement all because you forgot to plug your sump pump back in.
You basically need to pour enough water in the pit so that it triggers the float by itself, engages the pump's motor and hence, the impeller should drain the water in the sump. If the water you pour engages the pump and the water gets dispelled, then your pump is working properly.
If your home or business was built atop a basement, it's best to have a sump pump installed. Even if you've never had wet basement or moisture issues before, sump pump installation provides assurance that you'll have the tools needed to protect the space should emergency flooding ever occur.
The Facts:
The average discharge rate is between 2500 to 3200 gallons per hour (gph) or 42 to 53 gallons per minute (gpm).
The sump pump uses a standard three prong cord and can be plugged into the nearest 110 volt outlet.
A sump pump should only run when it is needed because the water in the basement has reached a certain level. Those who live in areas where it rains frequently will see their sump pump running fairly often. In some cases, it might turn on a few times per day.
Will sump pump keep basement dry?
A sump pump can help protect your home from moisture intrusion and deter the growth of mold, mildew and fungus. Sump pumps are self-activating electrical pumps that are installed below basements and crawlspace floors. They help to remove rising groundwater before moisture seeps into the house.
Generally, sump pumps can run for six to 24 hours continuously, depending on how heavy the rainfall is and the quality of your pump. to keep your home's low areas dry.
If your house is built on a concrete slab (no basement) then odds are there is no sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to take water that surrounds your foundation and pump it outside before it can seep into your basement. So—no basement—no need for a sump pump.
What Causes a Sump Pump to Short Cycle? In most cases, short cycling is a symptom of a fault in your pump's float switch—a device which floats on the surface of the water in your sump basin and then turns your pump on when the water reaches a particular level.
Generally, water from your washing machine, shower, dishes, dishwasher, and maybe even the toilet, flows into the sump pit. No matter which type of sump pump you have in your home, they won't last forever.