For many homeowners, a sump pump is out of sight so out of mind. Others mistakenly believe, too, that a sump pump’s function is to keep their basement dry. What a sump pump really does is to keep the water table around your structure below the level of the basement, maintaining stable soil and the integrity of your foundation. They play a critical role in helping you avoid costly basement floods and foundation damage.
To understand what a water table is, imagine digging a hole straight down beneath your home. The point where you hit water, or the level where water exists under there, is your water table. In areas like greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga and Geauga Counties where we get significant amounts of rain and snow, the water table can rise. The sump pump detects these rises in the water table, and then kicks on to move water away from the structure in order to lower the water table back below basement level. In some instances a sump pump can also replace an exit line when local conditions prevent enough fall to properly move water away from your structure.
Sump pumps are too important to simply set and forget. If you’re a homeowner in Northeast Ohio, understanding why you need a sump pump can ensure you treat it with the respect and maintenance it deserves.
I have a dry basement. Do I really still need a sump pump?
If you live in Northeast Ohio, there’s a good chance you already have a sump pump located in your basement or crawl space. Identifying your sump pump should be easy. Look for a circular pit that may or may not have a cover on it with one pipe coming out.
What Is a Sump Pump and What Does It Do?
A sump pump is a small pump that sits in a hole in the basement floor called the sump tank, (hence the term sump pump). You can probably find it tucked into a low lying area near a wall or corner in your basement. They will usually have a cover over them to protect the pump and keep debris from falling into the sump tank. Its main purpose is to keep your water table below the level of your basement floor.
Here is an example of what a typical sump pump looks like and what you will find under the cover:
Does a Sump Pump Keep My Basement Dry?
If your sump pump is installed correctly based on your water table and has adequate horsepower for the area of drainage needed for your home, it does help prevent water leaking and seeping in your basement. It helps keep your basement dry by moving water away from your home’s foundation to a place where it is no longer problematic, such as a municipal storm drain or a dry well.
However, the main function, again, is to maintain the appropriate water table. In doing so, sump pumps maintain soil stability. By keeping the water table low and pumping water away, the soil surrounding your home’s or business’s foundation is less likely to cause settling and shifting that can result in foundation cracks. So while most homeowners focus on keeping water out of the basement, experienced sump pump installers and inspectors focus on their role in structural integrity. A dry basement, they know, requires much more than just a sump pump!
Should I have a Sump Pump Installed?
The importance of protecting your home or business’s foundation from a rising water table can’t be overstated. Unstable soil leads to foundation cracks which in turn allow for more moisture and damage to your foundation.
If you’re still not convinced to install a sump pump on that alone, you should consider calling an experienced sump pump installation company when
- You’re planning to finish your basement as a living area.
- You’ve noticed water in your basement on the floor level.
- You want to increase your home’s value
How Often Do I Need to Replace My Sump Pump?
Hopefully, we have convinced you that your sump pump needs to be working correctly at all times to protect your home’s foundation. One of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make is forgetting to replace their sump pump before disaster strikes. When a sump pump fails, homeowners suffer a flooded basement and thousands of dollars in repairs. Clearly, replacing your sump pump before it fails is ideal.
Like any other home appliance, a sump pump doesn’t last forever. On average, you need to replace your sump pump every 7-10 years. However, other factors indicate it might be time for a change or a professional checkup. For instance:
- If your sump pump is running constantly, it may need replacing sooner. It’s also a good idea in this situation to ask a sump pump expert to assess if your sump tank is located in the best location and if your pump size is adequate.
- If your sump pump isn’t kicking on at all, there may be a problem with the pipes or pump. Finding and fixing the problem before the next big snow or rain storm is an excellent idea in this case.
- if you don’t know how old your sump pump is, it’s time to call a professional. They can assess the make, model, and size of your pump to make sure it will meet the demands of your drainage area.
Whatever you do, don’t just take your sump pump for granted. If you do, you may find yourself with a flooded basement or foundation damage, both of which are thousands of dollars more expensive than maintaining or replacing your sump pump!
To help take the worry out of making sure your sump pump remains in good working order, Sitework Developing offers an Inspection service contract, their experts will come on site twice per year to make sure your sump pump systems are functioning properly for you.
Sump Pump Installation, Inspection, and Repairs Near Cleveland
If you are considering the addition of a sump pump, or need help diagnosing and correcting problems with your existing sump pump, call the experts a Sitework Developing, Inc.
We have the tools and resources needed to help you
- Set up backup sump pump power and systems, so you don’t face a sump pump failure in a power outage
- Identify any pipe blockages (even when they are underground) with our camera snaking
- Assess the size, location, and depth of your sump pump to ensure its working in accordance with your water table
- Evaluate the surrounding drainage and footer tiles to ensure peak drainage to prevent early burn out of your sump pump
Cleveland and Northeast Ohio’s climate can pose specific drainage problems to homeowners, and our experts have solutions. With over 20 years of experience, our team can help you maintain and improve your sump pump functioning.
Call Sitework Developing to get high-quality sump pump and drainage solutions done the right way, the first time.
Superior Service
As members of the Cleveland community for over 30 years, we hire and train your neighbors. As a result, you’ll know whom to contact with your questions as your project progresses. Our crew will offer an honest assessment of what work needs to be done and give a free estimate. We’ll only recommend work that is absolutely necessary to get your home in prime condition. We won’t tack on any extra services to drive the price up either. After all, as your neighbors, we believe in treating you as we’d like to be treated. In short, Sitework Developing doesn’t just get the job done right the first time, we treat you right during the process, too.
Call the Best Sump Pump and Drainage Contractors Near Cleveland
Don’t let a sump pump problem worry you and keep you up at night any longer. A simple solution can prevent further damage from occurring. Call Sitework Developing for a full assessment of your foundation’s health. Our free estimates answer your questions and allow you to plan for the long-term health of your home’s or business’s foundation.