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Basement Sump Pumps
What to Consider when Buying a Basement Sump
Pump
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Unfortunately moisture problems
are frequently synonymous with basement and crawl spaces. Sometimes these
moisture problems are quite severe to the point of water literally filling
up the basement or crawl space. If you have a basement or crawl space with
this situation, then the installation of a basement sump pump maybe your
only or cheapest solution.
Water entering a basement or
crawl space occurs because the surrounding ground around the home becomes
water saturated.
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The water, in an attempt to find a
lower pressure, frequently finds its way into foundation cracks or seams, thus
filling up the basement or crawl space. You can either attempt to prevent the
ground water from nearing your home’s foundation by the installation of a
perimeter drain, or you can install a sump pump. Installing a perimeter drain
around the home requires extensive excavation work and thus is expensive and
very disruptive alternative.
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Consequently the installation of
a basement sump pump is frequently the best solution.
Basement sump pumps are
typically installed in the basement or crawl space, near where the water
comes in or where the water initially collects.
The installation of a basement sump
pump involves the cutting of the basement floor and the creation of a small well
or basin area, about the size of a 5 gallon bucket.
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The basement sump pump sits in this
basin and turns on, when water begins to collect in it. The basement sump pump
has a float, or switch mechanism, that is used to automatically sense the water
level in the basin and activate or deactivate the sump pump accordingly. Water
discharged from the basement sump pump is typically directed out a basement
window, via a hose to a low point on the property. A check valve sits in series
with the discharge pipe/hose to prevent the back flow of water into the basin
when the sump pump turns off. |
Submersible Sump
Pumps vs Pedestal Sump Pumps
There are two main types of basement
sump pumps, both of which require electricity to operate.
Submersible Sump
Pump
The submersible sump pump sits
totally submerged in the basin area. With a submersible pump, both the pump and
motor are fully integrated into a sealed unit that sits in the basin. It is
ideal for finished basements due to the fact that they are quieter; however
they have the tendency to have shorter life spans due to the fact that they
constantly sit in the basin which frequently has water in it. Submersible sump
pumps are also typically more expensive then the pedestal types.
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Pedestal Sump
Pump
Pedestal sump pumps sit outside the
well area, or at least their motors do. A pedestal sump pump has its pump at
the bottom of a pedestal and the motor elevated two to three feet up on top of
the pedestal. With a pedestal pump, only the pump, along with a float switch,
is submersed into the basin. The motor stands above the water collection basin,
and is not meant to get wet. Pedestal pumps are noisier due to the fact that
their motors are not submerged in water, however they are less expensive and
easier to maintain.
Key Basement Sump
Pump Features / Attributes
When looking into buying a basement
sump pump take care to consider the flow rate and head pressure. The gallons
per minute (GPM), or gallons per hour (GPH) flow rate is key in determining how
much water can flow through the pump. The head pressure determines how
vertically high the sump pump can lift the water. For example, if a sump pump
advertises a high flow rate but a low head pressure, the water may not be able
to be lifted high enough to dump it out the basement window.
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Higher powered motors, e.g. ½ HP,
typically will offer adequate flow rates and head pressures for most
residential applications.
Basement sump pumps are manufactured
in a variety of materials, including plastic, cast iron, alloy metals, and
stainless steel. It is best to select models that are less likely to corrode,
and that can support a high flow rate and head pressure.
Basement sump pump prices range from
$40 to $800.
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