Sump Pumps | Plumber Arlington

Prevention is the best means to avoid basement flooding. Water runs downhill, and if your home is in the path it is going to flood. In the following we will discuss some of the factors that may be causing your basement to flood. These are generally correctable without installing sump pumps. Otherwise, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will provide you with a licensed plumber in Arlington for sump pump installation.

Gutters

Gutters capture the water running off of the roof and channel it away from the foundation. When gutters are being installed, ensure they won’t drain near the foundation. A downspout diverter directs water flowing from the downspout away from the foundation.

Downspouts should be large enough to handle the water that runs off of the roof during heavy rain. The minimum recommended size for a downspout is 2×3 inches, but a larger size will ensure it is adequate during heavier rain, and will be less likely to become blocked by debris that commonly collects in the gutters. To avoid both soil erosion, as well as water seeping into the foundation from the ground the water should flow onto a hard surface such as a splashguard or ideally a driveway or patio that slopes away from the home.

Grading

The grading of soil is important to ensure water doesn’t puddle up and remain, or drain back into the foundation. This requires an adequate slope away from the home. Homes with the disadvantage of being located at the bottom of a slope will have to utilize other means of diverting the water, such as a French drain, for example.

A French drain is a small trench using perforated pipe surrounded by gravel that directs the water flow away from the foundation. In other words, using the example of a home at the bottom of a hill, the water runoff from the hill will collect into the French drain and be diverted away from the home’s foundation.

Check the ground surrounding the homes foundation, rain may have eroded soil creating low spots where water is able to pool and seep into the basement. A shovel may be all that is required to prevent water in the basement. If “patching” is required, ensure you maintain a slope that is highest at the foundation, and slopes away from the home. While gutters generally prevent this, a fallen gutter or an unusually heavy and blowing rain may have eroded soil around the home’s foundation.

Other Factors

Sidewalks, a patio, or a deck should slope away from the home. Decks can be often be “adjusted” to establish the correct slope, while slabs can be re-leveled to ensure proper drainage.

Sump Pump Installation by a plumber in Arlington

If your problem continues after installing gutters and correcting grading problems, you will need a sump pump installed by a plumber in Arlington. The two main types of sump pumps are submersible or pedestal pumps. The following tips will help you to decide the best type of sump pump for your situation:

• If you have an ample sump pit, select a submersible pump, as the sump pit can be covered with a lid. A lid will reduce pump noise and prevent debris from clogging the pit, as well as reducing moisture and humidity problems within the home.
• A sump pump manufactured with a cast iron core will outlast the pump with a plastic core, providing greater reliability and a longer service life.
• The switch should be mechanical and not a pressure switch.
• Having a solid float will eliminate the common problem of a waterlogged and sunken float, and will prevent pump burnout due to the failure of the pump to cut off.

A Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington will be glad to assist you in selecting the sump pump that you require.

Backup Sump Pumps

A backup battery sump pump should be installed next to the primary to provide the “extra insurance” against a power failure or primary pump breakdown. If the primary pump fails or has more water to remove than it is capable of handling, the back-up pump automatically takes over. A Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington can provide the professional installation for you.

Raising the float of the back-up pump higher than the primary pump ensures it will only operate if the primary is failing to pump the water out, whether due to failure or overwhelming amounts of water.

If you aren’t certain you need a back-up pump, or if you’re considering upgrading your primary pump due to its struggle to keep up during excessive amounts of rain, consider a back-up pump first. A Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington can assess your basement’s needs to determine if you need to upgrade the primary pump, add a back-up or both.

The installation of a sump pump and a sump pit is best left to the professionals who have the expertise to assess the size and other factors required for a correct installation. You can count on a Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington for a professional installation.

Sump Pump Maintenance

To ensure the primary sump pump is functional when it’s needed, maintenance is recommended every few months.

Clean the pump inlet screen every 3 months. A clogged screen will overwork the motor, shortening its service life.

Routinely check to ensure the primary pump is plugged in. Accidental unplugging by pets and children can result in a flooded basement.

Every three months check the sump pump’s function by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit, enough to raise the float and trigger the pump to run.

The pump and basin require an annual cleaning and inspection. Cleaning the pit eliminates debris that can clog or damage the pump. Refer to the owner’s manual for any instructions on other necessary maintenance tasks. A Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington can provide this service for you, and provide it during your annual plumbing inspection for your convenience.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will provide you with a licensed professional full service plumber in Arlington as well as in the Fort Worth areas. Thanks for visiting our site.