| The job of your sump pump is to prevent flooding in | | | | standing water. |
| the basement of your home. Most basements have | | | | Required in every sump pump is a check valve - a |
| what's called a sump pit designed to be a collection | | | | one way water valve. It allows water to flow from the |
| point for water that seeps in. Under normal situations, a | | | | pump and through the drainage pipes, while preventing |
| sump pump removes this water accumulation from | | | | the water from siphoning back into the basement. A |
| your basement without incident. | | | | cover is also recommended to keep small critters like |
| It is widely believed that the invention of the sump | | | | children from plugging the pipes as they flow through. |
| pump was first used in the north east of the United | | | | Only normal 120v household power is required in most |
| States - New England or the Great Lakes area - used | | | | installations. Unfortunately, under emergency conditions, |
| to eliminate the problem of basement flooding. Modern | | | | normal household power is not available. A battery |
| sump pumps are usually included in new homes built | | | | backup power system consists of a regular |
| including a basement. And by adding this type of flood | | | | automobile battery, and a power generator does quite |
| prevention equipment to older homes, homeowners | | | | well in this situation too. |
| can often see their insurance rates lowered | | | | A regular maintenance schedule of for or five years is |
| significantly. | | | | recommended to keep your basement sump pump in |
| Sump pumps come in two basic types. The | | | | dependable condition for years. Sand and dirt should |
| submersible type and the pedestal type. The pedestal | | | | be removed from the sump pit. Otherwise The life of |
| type pump is designed with the motor located above | | | | components like the check valve could be unduly |
| the sump pit for maintenance accessibility. It is more | | | | shortened, allowing water to flow into your basement. |
| visible, which could be an issue if your basement is | | | | To clean the sump pump, always unplug the system |
| decorated. | | | | first, and scoop sediments from the pit. You can also |
| The submersible sump pump is just that - completely | | | | use a wet/dry shop vac for this part of the job. Finally, |
| submersed in the sump pit. The insides are completely | | | | test the system by reconnecting any pipes removed, |
| sealed off to prevent electrical problems, but it's a little | | | | fill the pit with some water and make sure everything |
| hard to gain access to in the event of a failure - with | | | | works as expected. |