When many homeowners think about flooding, the first thought is catastrophic deluges of water where the entire house becomes submerged. Although this is certainly a major problem in certain geographical areas, it isn’t as widespread as
moderate flooding. It can cost thousands of dollars to repair even a small amount of water damage if it hits in the wrong place. Luckily, there is a way to combat this risk; sump pumps. This relatively simple equipment can provide you with protection from flooding.
The Sump Pump Basics:
Sump pumps are designed to provide protection for a single area against flooding damage. It requires a pit or sump to be dug at the lowest point. All of the water flowing into this area will move downhill into the sump. A sump pump is then installed either in or above the sump. Pipes are connected to the pump, so water can be directed out of the house. Once the water reaches a certain level in the sump, the pump activates to move all of the water out of your home.
Advantages of Installing a Sump Pump:
There are certain areas of the home that are more prone to flooding damage. Crawl spaces, basements and other low area of your home can be vulnerable to flooding, which can have very costly consequences for the homeowner. Basements, in particular, tend to be home to appliances such as washing machines air conditioning and furnaces that can be expensive to replace or even repair. This means that should your basement flood; you could need to replace all of your HVAC equipment. Additionally, you may need to pay for replacing drywall and flooring before you even consider what you have lost in personal items. A sump pump can provide you with the reassurance that in the event that water starts to accumulate in your basement, it will be safely moved out of your home automatically.
Fitting a Sump Pump:
Although there are sump pump kits available at hardware and home improvement stores, it is usually a task best left to the professionals. You need to ensure that your sump pump is situated in the optimum placement and calibrated correctly to provide you with adequate protection. There is no point in installing a sump pump and then finding that it fails to protect your home and belongings in the event of a flood. An experienced professional plumber will assess your home for areas that may be vulnerable to flooding to ensure that your new sump pump is correctly installed.
Sump Pump Maintenance:
Once your sump pump is installed, you will need to think about maintenance. As with any type of pump, your new sump pump will contain moving components that will need attention periodically. It is a good idea to incorporate sump pump maintenance into your regular maintenance schedule around your home. During your
annual plumbing inspection, don’t forget to have your plumber check your sump pump is operating correctly, so you can be confident that your home is protected against flood damage.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
