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What Is a Sump Pump and How Does It Work?

May 14, 2018|

While it’s mostly inconspicuous, your sump pump plays a critical role in protecting your home from water damage by removing groundwater from beneath your home. Sump pumps are designed to help safeguard your home’s structure and foundation. Without a sump pump, water can rise from the ground beneath your home or from heavy rains and flood your basement, creating a costly and annoying mess.

How A Sump Pump Works

Beneath the sump pump fixture is a pit that collects water. Once that water hits a certain level, the pump will turn on automatically and begin pumping water from the pit through a discharge pipe away from the home’s foundation. The placement of the discharge pipe is important because it has to be placed to ensure the discharged water won’t flow back toward the home’s foundation. The frequency of how often the pump runs is determined by how much moisture is around your home. Think of the sump pump like a toilet tank, activated automatically via a float sensor. Your sump pump functions much the same way.

For more information, see Basement Drain Systems: The Secret To A Dry Basement.

Do You Need a Sump Pump in Your Basement?

Not every home needs a sump pump. Here are a few signs to look out for:

Frequent flooding – If your home is in an area that frequently floods, you will likely need a sump pump to defend the exterior and foundation of your home from water damage.
Your basement has frequent wet spots – Flooding isn’t the only way your basement can get wet. If your basement floor or walls regularly show signs of dampness, you probably have a problem with your groundwater. This issue typically happens in low-lying areas because they’re more prone to collecting water. That’s because the soil has a tougher time draining water efficiently.
You get a lot of snow or rain – If you live in a part of the country that gets a lot of snow or rainfall, more groundwater will build up around your home, requiring a sump pump to keep your basement dry and your home safe.

Since 1994, we’ve helped clients in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and parts of Northeastern Kansas with foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete leveling for their homes. If you need help with a sump pump or have any questions, give Epp Foundation Repair a call to consult with one of our professionals.