Sump Pumps

10/13/2015 (Permalink)

As more and more families use their basements for family rooms, media rooms, offices and extra bedrooms, it becomes more important to keep this space dry. A backup sump pump will help keep your basement from flooding.

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Ideally, a basement will have a variety of safeguards in place:

• Drain tile installed to collect groundwater and direct it to a sump pit where it can be pumped away from the house via a sump pump.
• Landscape graded away from the foundation sloping down toward a storm sewer or a swale that directs the water away from the house.
• Gutters to collect rainwater, and downspouts to empty the water a minimum of six feet from the foundation (the further the better).
• A waterproof barrier installed around the outside perimeter of the foundation.

If any of these basement waterproofing systems are missing or compromised, water may collect around the house and seep through the foundation or floor. The cause of a wet basement may be hard to diagnose and costly to fix. Before you call a basement waterproofing expert, here are a few simple things to try:

• Check your sump pump and its valve operation by pouring water into the sump pit. Be sure it is actually pumped outside.
• Make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
• Check the slope of your lot during the next rainstorm. It's possible the house may have settled and the land may need to be re-graded away from the foundation.

If the water problems are not obvious, check with your local city engineering office. They may have a water specialist on staff, or they may be able to suggest an independent engineer who can diagnose the problem. Once the problem has been identified, they will be able to steer you to the proper basement waterproofing expert for your specific problem.

Install a backup sump pump in your sump pit so you're protected during a power outage, in times of excessive rain or in the event your main sump pump fails. A backup sump pump is a system used to protect your basement from flooding when the main sump pump isn't operating. There are several types of backup systems including battery powered and water powered. When purchasing a backup pump, the most important consideration is the need for a completely redundant system, which includes a second sump pump, second float switch and a secondary power source.

SERVPRO of Carbondale/Clarks Summit/Old Forge deals with many homes' flooded basements. Some do not have a sump pump, let alone a backup one. We also see many sump pump failures, especially from heavy rains where a backup would be helpful since one common reason for a sump pump failure is too much water. Preparedness is the key. You can never be overprepared.

SERVPRO of Carbondale/Clarks Summit/Old Forge is the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area's leading water mitigation and restoration company. Should you experience a flooded basement disaster, call us 24hr/day at (570) 235-1646.