Do I Need A Sump Pump? (The answer: Maybe)
It’s that time of year again. The time for April showers and spring cleaning. Some things in your home are easy to ignore and forget about, until you have a huge problem on your hands. Don’t let a flood caused by heavy spring rains be that problem! Prepare your home with a sump pump.
What is a sump pump?
“What is it?” and “Why do I need one?” are just a couple of the most commonly asked questions about sump pumps. To the answer the question of whether or not you need one, you should evaluate where you live. Since Ohio is a predominantly wet area, there is always the potential for flooding in your home’s basement or crawl space.
Our local communities are full of underground water tables, rivers, streams, creeks, lakes etc. If communities build too close to a water table, the chances are high that residents could be living with water in their basements every year. Especially in the years when the snow and rainfall is higher than average.
What does a sump pump do?
A sump pump is an electrical pump that’s usually located in the basement. It’s purpose is to drain water out in case of flooding. In areas where flooding is common (like Ohio), the pump is generally located below the water line. It may also be placed below the sewer line. The main goal is to eliminate the possibility of water overflowing into your living areas. Secondary to that, its job is to prevent damage to your personal property and assets. Even just an inch of standing water can be detrimental in a finished basement with furniture and carpeting. Investing in a sump pump could potentially save you thousands of dollars for the cost of replacing and repairing.
How do you/should you maintain a sump pump?
A typical sump pump will operate up to a period of five to seven years, maintenance free. Yet it’s important to check them monthly, especially before rainy seasons. It’s also worth inspecting during times of the year when you’re more susceptible to flooding. Cleaning the sump pit (the hole dug into the ground to collect water) from debris will keep the sump pump working in most cases. Dirt, sand, and gravel may accumulate within the sump pump itself, clogging the pump to the point of making it inoperable. A routine check by a plumber can give you piece of mind.
What choices do you have in choosing a sump pump & battery backup system?
Generally speaking, the most common sump pump is called a submersible sump pump, which is located down inside the sump pit. It’s usually enclosed in a sealed housing unit to prevent electrical short circuits when water collects in the pit. To go along w/ your primary, submersible sump pump is a battery backup system. This 2nd/backup system can save you in the event of a power outage. This is all too common around the Miami Valley region in which we live in. A battery backup can run up to 6 straight hours on a fully charged battery.
We supply & install Blue Angel brand sump pumps & battery backup systems. Blue Angel Pumps are made in the USA. Contact us today to learn more!
