• October 19, 2020
  • Tim Wolstencroft
  • Blog

As homeowners, many of you may have dealt with the nightmare of basement flooding. Sump pumps are meant to help homeowners avoid structural damages to their house as well as enormous repair costs resulting from basement flooding.  If your basement doesn’t already have a sump pump, you need one for sure. However, it is important to identify the type that will work best for your requirement. In this brief article, we will discuss everything you need to know about sump pumps and their functional patterns.

How do Sump Pumps Function?

As already mentioned, sump pumps are used to move accumulated water away from the basement. Usually, these sumps are constructed beneath the basement floor’s main surface. Commonly referred to as a basin, this pit holds the sump pump. Equipped with special type of valves, these pumps can sense escalating levels of pressure or water. When the level of water goes too high, the excess water is automatically pumped out by sump pumps using a discharge line connecting it to a designated drainage area.

Sump Pump Types:

  • Submersible: In these pumps, the pump and motor are contained in one unit and remain submerged inside a basin. As they are completely submerged, these pumps occupy less space in the basement, are usually quieter, and less prone to clogging. This is the best option for homeowners that face major flooding concerns.
  • Pedestal: Unlike submersible sump pumps, a separate motor and pump is found in pedestal sump pumps. The motor of the pump sits on a pedestal above the basin. Compared to submersible pumps, these sump pumps have a higher lifespan and are easier to maintain because of better accessibility. However, they take up more space and can be quite noisy.
  • Battery backup: If you are looking for some additional protection from flood damage, these sump pumps are your best bet. They can operate even during a power outage, owing to a battery backup with float switch. Naturally, these sump pumps can be a lifesaver when power goes out during a storm.
  • Water-powered backup: These sump pumps have a water-powered backup capable of clearing the basin’s water by increased water pressure. Water-powered systems don’t require monitoring the backup or battery replacement.

Which one do I need?

To ensure safety for your home, selection of the right sump pump is extremely important. The pump chosen by you must be equipped with sufficient horsepower to be able to handle the flooding level. However, avoid using a higher horsepower than your necessity as this will lower the pump’s lifespan because of cycling and repeatedly turning on and off. A submersible pump with one third horsepower should be enough for an average-size home that is not located deep into the water table and receives an average level of rainfall. However, a half horsepower pump may be required for houses that have serious seepage issues, located deep inside the water table, or has a drainage point located farther.

If you want to find out more about sump pumps and their usage and/or selection, please contact us immediately at Tru-Flow Pumps. We are one of Australia’s most trusted names when it comes to delivering efficient, reliable, and cost-saving pumping solutions.