What does it mean if a house doesn't have a sump pump?
Without a sump pump, excess water that seeps or pours into a home can damage the foundation, creating cracks and issues throughout the house. The more water accumulates outside of a foundation, the more pressure builds up, and water can find a way through concrete.
Not every home will have one, but in areas with a lot of moisture or a high water table, they can save a homeowner from a big flood. If you do have a sump pump, it is most likely in your basement or crawl space.
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.
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. Once they see a sump pump, they're going to look more closely for signs of water damage.
To do this, a trench is dug to the depth of the footings of affected walls. Drainage pipe is installed at the bottom of the trench to collect water that seeps from above and carry it to a part of your yard away from your home or into a drainage pit. A coating and a vapor barrier are added to exterior walls.
A professional installation will range in cost from $600 to $1,800 for the sump pump unit plus labor, with an average cost of around $1,200. Final cost will depend on a variety of factors, including location and the complexity of the installation.
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.
The biggest indicator that you need a sump pump is if your basement has flooded before. That either means you need to install a sump pump or that your sump pump needs to be replaced. Another key indicator that you need a sump pump is if there's water buildup anywhere in your basement.
Adding a sump pump to your existing basement can be a valuable home improvement project that helps to prevent water damage and flooding. By following these steps and properly maintaining your sump pump, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your basement is protected from water damage.
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.
What is an alternative to a sump pump?
There are ways you as a homeowner can protect your property from suffering enormous amounts of damage from flooding, including a sump pump. Sometimes overlooked, however, are alternative drainage systems like French drains, gutters, and waterproofing work that may serve as a more effective protective measurement.
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.
According to HomeAdvisor, sump pump costs range from $641 to $2,035, with the national average at $1,296. A pedestal pump costs approximately $60 to $170, while a submersible pump costs between $100 and $400. Labor can run between $45 and $200 per hour for installation.
Sump Pumps are a Great Tool for Your Home
Investing in a sump pump can save you a fortune on potential damages. Having a home that already comes with a sump pump is even better as buying one and installing it yourself can run a few hundred dollars.
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.
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.
Sump pumps can be found in both residential and commercial settings and are designed to protect your property from flooding and water buildup. Even if your basement area is not prone to flooding, if you have excess moisture around your home's foundations, a sump pump may 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.
While plumbers are the appropriate contractor to call for a plumbing leak, a proper and effective sump pump installation should be completed by a certified basement waterproofing specialist. Contact a local dealer today!
There are several common reasons for water seeping up through your basement floor, including backed up or collapsed drains, leaking pipes or appliances, a cracked foundation, clogged gutters, and poor drainage.
Can you still get water in basement with sump pump?
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.
Allowing water to remain present in the basement can increase the level of humidity in the entire home, causing unpleasant conditions and making HVAC systems run longer. More importantly, water in the basement can be a catalyst for the growth of mold, which can create serious health problems for the home's residents.
You can use a sewage pump in a sump pump application if your sump pit often fills with small debris and your system can manage significant horsepower (HP) and gallons-per-hour (GPH) loss.
- Removes Flood Water from Basement. ...
- Performs Better than Waterproofing. ...
- A Water Powered Sump Pump Always has Power. ...
- Sump Pumps are an Active System. ...
- Sump Pumps Require Electricity. ...
- Requires a Pit. ...
- Unsightly Appearance.
A sump pump needs to be installed to keep the crawl space dry. With it, you will ensure the stability and safety of your home.
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.
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.
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.
You can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up the water, then dump it outside. The larger, 5 or 10 gallons wet/dry vacuums are most suitable for this task. Dump at least 20 feet away from the house.
No. It is an indication of the owner taking the proper measures to prevent flooding in the basement. Water leaks into nearly every basement because concrete is porous.
Can snakes come up through your sump pump?
These snakes like dampness. Their main food source is bugs such as crickets, worms and spiders. They may have entered through a drain or sump pump.
The sump collects water from around and under your foundation. It has nothing to do with your plumbing.
As long as you have requested the necessary inspections and disclosures, the presence of a sump pump should not prevent you from buying a home. If the inspection turns up with any water damage, be ready to negotiate. Ask the seller to either make repairs or lower the selling price.
The biggest indicator that you need a sump pump is if your basement has flooded before. That either means you need to install a sump pump or that your sump pump needs to be replaced. Another key indicator that you need a sump pump is if there's water buildup anywhere in your basement.
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.
While homeowners insurance protects you against some forms of unexpected water damage, water back-ups and sump pump overflows are usually not covered. You may purchase optional water back-up coverage that may pay for damages in the case of sewage back-up or a malfunctioning sump pump.
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.
There are ways you as a homeowner can protect your property from suffering enormous amounts of damage from flooding, including a sump pump. Sometimes overlooked, however, are alternative drainage systems like French drains, gutters, and waterproofing work that may serve as a more effective protective measurement.