How To Prep Your Sump Pump for Spring

What’s a Sump Pump All About?

With spring knocking on the door, it’s time to ensure all the excess water generated by the inevitable snowmelt doesn’t inundate the home. The best way to defend against the danger of flooding, especially in the lowest areas of the home, such as basements and crawl spaces, is to install and maintain a sump pump.

How a Sump Pump Operates

A sump pump is a home’s first line of defense against flooding, especially in places that get a lot of rain or areas that don’t get a lot of drainage. As a rule of thumb, though, sump pumps are a good thing to have if there is an underground area of the home because these places will inherently risk getting flooded. A sump pump installation is recommended to counter this risk so that water that collects in these low-lying areas can be pumped out before accumulating.

Sump pumps are installed in a sump pump basin dug up in the lowest area of the home, where water automatically pools because of gravity. Valves in the pump sense rising water levels, which automatically sets off the sump pump float switch, subsequently triggering the pump to start pumping water.
This mechanism means homeowners don’t have to worry about flooding because sump pumps automatically pump out water before it can accumulate.

How To Tell One Sump Pump From Another

Choosing which sump pump to install in the home isn’t like being at a buffet table or a department store—there aren’t many different types, which narrows down a homeowner’s choices. But that isn’t a bad thing at all. There are only two kinds of sump pumps, which also means that it isn’t very difficult to make a choice. Homeowners either get a submersible sump pump or a pedestal sump pump. There isn’t much that’s in between. 

Homeowners opt for a submersible sump pump because these kinds of pumps sit below ground and are submerged in the water in a sump pump basin. This design allows it to take up less space and make little noise. Being submerged in water not only helps it run more quietly, but the water also helps keep the motor cool and prevent it from overheating. But the biggest advantage of a submersible pump is its powerful motor. It can remove water and small debris quickly, which is an advantage to homes prone to constant flooding.

On the other hand, a pedestal sump pump is chosen for its ease of installation and maintenance. This is because pedestals sit above the water, usually on the basement or crawlspace floor, and as such, they are easier to access for maintenance and repairs. Pedestals are also more affordable and last longer, but they aren’t as powerful as submersible sump pumps.

While either pump works just as well keeping water from flooding basements and crawl spaces, homeowners also have the option to get either a sump pump battery backup or a combination pump sump pump, which is either a pedestal or a submersible pump combined with a battery-powered backup so that they have even more peace of mind in knowing that their basements will not flood even if they lose electricity that usually powers the primary sump pump. 

Maintaining Your Sump Pump

Because sump pumps are installed as a preventive measure against flooding, it is necessary to ensure that they are always ready to do their jobs in emergencies. This is why it is necessary to maintain the sump pump by keeping it clean and free from debris and by testing it every once in a while to ensure it is still pumping out water as it is supposed to. If problems with the sump pump arise, it is best to call an expert plumber who can resolve them expediently.

About Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating

Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating has been the trusted plumbing and heating solutions provider serving Nassau County for over 110 years. With over a century of heating experience, Charles Krull & Son has seen it all and is committed to providing timely service and quality workmanship for its customers. Their team of experts is both personable and professional, providing award-winning service with straightforward, flat-rate pricing. Call them today for a sump pump service in Malverne, NY.

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