According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, more than 60 percent of American homes suffer from below-ground wetness, but even more homeowners are likely to have to deal with a flooded basement at some point. It doesn't take much water to cause thousands of dollars of damage. A moist basement can also lead to mold and mildew growth, bringing with it all its related health and breathing hazards.
A sump pump is an electric pump typically placed in a pit in the basement, crawl space or the lowest point of your home. During periods of heavy rain or snow melt, water that would otherwise flood into your basement is diverted into the pit. When the water level reaches a certain point, a float valve activates the sump pump, removing the water from your home so it doesn’t flood the basement. Sump pumps send water away from your home to any place where it is no longer problematic, such as a municipal storm drain or a dry well.
Sump pumps are a cost-effective way to prevent major damage to your basement and protect your valuables. They have been a common fixture in homes in low-lying areas or places where rapidly melting snow can lead to flooded basements. However, recent legislation, including amendments to the Federal Clean Water Act, has made sump pumps a requirement in homes that aren't necessarily at a high risk for flooding. Today, sump pumps are common in new construction.
Sump pumps are very reliable when properly maintained. However, It is not uncommon for a sump pump to accumulate gravel, dirt, sand and other debris over time, which could prevent it from working properly . That is why it is very important to test your sump pump periodically and to have it serviced if necessary. Otherwise, you can’t be sure if your sump pump is going to work when you need it –and when your sump pump doesn’t work, even a moderate rainstorm could spell trouble for your home!
If you have a sump pump that has recently stopped working or if you would just like to have it inspected and tested, so you can be sure it will work when you need it, Septic Solutions can help.
Our expert technicians will diagnose your issue and provide you with an upfront, written estimate. We can clean or repair your malfunctioning pump or, if necessary, replace it. All of our plumbing trucks are fully stocked with replacement parts and new sump pumps, so in most cases, we can provide same day service, 7 days a week! We always have technicians on standby, even on holidays.
Here is a quick way that you can check if your sump pump is working:
Find it in the basement and pour a 5-gallon bucket of water into the pit. This should cause the float switch to activate right away, which will in turn activate the sump pump to drain all the water. If this doesn’t work, call Septic Solutions for a free repair estimate.
Adding a backup system is a great way to make sure your sump pump works well at all times.
The problem with a regular sump pump is that it runs on house current, and we all know that during a storm, often times the power goes out. This disables a regular sump pump and leaves your home vulnerable to flooding. Septic solutions offers battery and other forms of backup systems that will enable your sump pump to continue to work, even during a power outage.
Septic Solutions has many years of experience installing sump pumps, from standard installations to very challenging settings and situations. We will be happy to quote an affordable solution for your home or business.