Blog

Photo By IcemanJ at istock

Does your basement flood every time it rains? Are you tired of getting out the wet/dry vac and cleaning it up? If there is a leak in your basement you may be able to fix it, but if your land slopes down into the foundation of your home you may have larger issues. It may be a good idea to talk to a plumber in Saginaw, TX to find out if a sump pump might be the answer to your problem.

While most people have heard the term before, most people are not aware of what the sump pump does. As your plumber might tell you, a sump pump is a great device that can help prevent flooding at the lowest point of the house. It is hardly noticeable once installed, but this small device may mean the difference between dealing with flood damage the next time you get a severe storm in your area.

If your interest is piqued, you may want to keep reading to find out if a sump pump is the answer to all of your plumbing problems. Even if you know that you need to install a sump pump, finding out a bit more about it may make you more comfortable with the process when a professional comes to your home and talks to you about installing one. Most people find it’s easier to invest in a plumbing solution when they understand what all is included.

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a device that is meant to be submerged in the area of your home where water collects. It is usually installed carefully at the lowest point in the house and sunk into the floor by a Saginaw, TX plumber. The idea is that before any water can collect the sump pump can push it back out of the house.

The sump pump only runs when it detects the presence of water, so, for the most part, the pump is simply on standby. However, when heavy rain starts to hit the ground the soil around the foundation of your home will become saturated to the point where the water starts to build up. Instead of allowing it to seep into your basement, the groundwater is funneled towards the sump pit which fills slowly with water. The sump pump has a sensor on it that flips when the water starts to pool and will turn on to divert the water away from your home.

By directing the water towards another location, the groundwater is not able to reach into your basement floor. Most times a sump pump pit is directed to empty into a storm drain, retention pond, or drywall although if necessary it could simply be diverted to another area on your property that will not be affected by property. Since the sump pump does not turn on unless there is flood water in the sump pit, it is an extremely energy-efficient way to save your basement or home from flooding.

What Are the Advantages of Going with a Sump Pump?

Still a bit wary after talking to a plumber in Saginaw, TX? There are a lot of benefits to sump pump installation that makes the idea worth talking over with your plumber. While it requires installation by a plumber, after the initial cost a sump pump requires very little maintenance by the plumber and prevents very expensive flood damage.

To start, the major benefit of installing a sump pump is preventing further flood damage in your basement. Once the pump is installed by a plumber you should not have to deal with any more flooding if it is installed properly. It should be noted that a sump pump needs to be properly placed at the right slope and angle to divert water efficiently, so it is best to hire a professional plumber in Saginaw, TX to install the device. While it is possible to install it on your own, any miscalculations will allow water to still flood into your home defeating its purpose. Instead, you will end up calling an emergency plumber to deal with the flood damage.

Why Is It Important to Stop Basement Flooding?

Some people don’t use their basements for much, so occasional flooding doesn’t bother them much. While it may be easier to ignore flooding if you don’t store anything of value in your basement, continual flooding can still cause problems for the foundation of your home and your health. No doubt you have some type of wall covering or paint on your basement walls, and if the basement continues to flood it will slowly destroy. Even if you simply have concrete walls the continual flooding will slowly start to eat away at the cement comprising the instructional integrity. Chances are if your basement floods you already have water stains along the cement walls. These water stains can turn into areas where the cement cracks or buckles, and that can be a very expensive repair to remedy.

Even if you don’t use your basement, you probably have your washer or dryer in the basement. You may have a spare freezer down there that you use from time to time as well. Depending on the height of the floodwaters, flooding can damage your major appliances as well. Remember that they rely on electrical connections and are not designed to deal with water from the outside. Thus, any safety guards are inside of the machines. Flooding could destroy your washer ironically which is costly to replace. At any rate, continual exposure to water will lead to corrosion that will eventually interfere with their ability to work as well.

The problems don’t stop here. Even if you never step foot in your basement and keep your appliances on the first floor of your home, eventually flooding will lead to fungus, mildew, and mold growth. All of these undesirable organisms thrive on moist, damp, and humid environments. Any plumber will tell you a flooded basement is a perfect place for them to grow. The growth of certain molds and fungus can be very dangerous to your health and for someone with respiratory issues or allergies even deadly in some cases.

Mold and fungi are not the only living organisms that love a damp basement, termites and other insects do as well. They will find themselves drawn into your basement along with the groundwater and eventually they will travel upstairs into your living space. These unwanted house guests can quickly wreak havoc on your home, so it’s best to call a plumber to install a sump pump to deter them from finding a home with you in the first place. They also can be extremely hard to get rid of, so you don’t want to start battling them if you can avoid it.

Improve the Condition of Your Basement with a Sump Pump

Keeping the above benefits in mind, a sump pump can help you turn your basement into usable space. If the only reason you don’t use your basement is the flooding, then removing the risk of flooding with a sump pump can help you create new space. A sump pump not only helps preserve the structural integrity of your home, but it will create a dry basement that is comfortable year-round. Many people put dens in their basements because they stay naturally cool and are comfortable.

Once a sump pump is installed you don’t have to worry about the weather outside, because you won’t have to deal with flooding anymore. Instead of dreading the weather forecast, you can rest comfortably in your basement in all weather conditions. As a bonus, homes with a sump pump usually fulfill the requirements for basement flood damage on basic homeowner’s insurance policies. Thus, if for some reason your sump pump fails or water does seep in through another pathway, your insurance will have to cover the property damage.

Should I Install a Sump Pump Outside My Home?

At this point, it should be easy to see that a sump pump comes with plenty of benefits, but you still may be unsure whether or not a sump pump is the right choice for your home. You should always consult your local plumber, but there are a few basics that can provide some clarity on the matter.

First of all, if you live in a region that is subject to a lot of heavy rain or snow it is a good idea to consider a sump pump. Obviously, snow is not a high concern in Saginaw, TX, but during the spring the area does receive a large amount of rainfall due to thunderstorms and hurricane winds from the Gulf. Tornadoes are also common during the spring and bring severe weather with them.

While the excess rains from severe weather may not be a problem for everyone, it is if your home is built on a slope or a plot that is prone to floods. Properties that lay below hills or mountains are more likely to have excessive groundwater levels during storms. In addition, if the soil near your house does not drain well you may have flooding problems even though the land appears to be relatively flat. Chances are you know if you have had flooding problems in the past. If you are considering a sump pump for a newly purchased home and unsure of its need, take a close look at the cement walls in the basement. Look near the edge of the wall where it meets with the flooring. If you see staining along that area there is a good chance it’s from past flooding. A plumber should also be able to spot signs of past flooding.

Finally, even if you don’t think you are a high flood risk you might want to consider having a plumber install a sump pump if you have a finished basement. A finished basement is quite an investment, so it is worth your time and money to protect your investment with a sump pump. Outside of the protection that a sump pump offers, keep in mind that it will activate the flood insurance clause in your homeowner’s insurance. Thus, the simple presence of one ensures that the money you place into your finished basement is protected.

Turn to A Professional Plumber for Sump Pump Installation

As mentioned earlier, a sump pump needs to be installed at a carefully measured slope to be effective at diverting water. It also needs to be placed far under the ground, therefore, it is a task best left to a professional plumber in Saginaw, TX. Installation cannot be completed with a simple shovel and some piping. If you are going to disrupt the soil near the foundation of your home then it is advisable that a professional plumber handle the installation. You don’t want your foundation to become unstable.

Additionally, the area around your home contains a lot of piping and lines such as sewage lines, electrical lines, plumbing, etc. You can’t blindly dig and hope for the best because breaking one of these utility lines can lead to large costs and potential safety hazards. A professional plumber can access city building plans and safely plan the location of your sump pump based on them.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, TX has been helping Saginaw customers with their flooding issues for years. We can come out and assess your basement flooding to see if a sump pump is the right flooding solution for your home. Before placing a sump pump it is important to determine if any other plumbing issues may be contributing to the flooding issues such as the floor drain or a broken pipe. Once these potential problems are ruled out, we will talk to you about how a sump pump could help safely divert water away from your home. If you are ready to talk to someone about your basement flooding, give us a call at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today.