Do You Need a Sump Pump? Find Out Here

A sump pump is designed to protect a single area from damage caused by moderate flooding. The system won’t be able to protect against the kind of flooding that would submerge the entire room, but it will be able to prevent quite a bit of damage if deployed properly. Installing a sump pump involves digging a small pit at the lowest point of the area. This pit is called the sump. Any water that enters the area will flow downhill into the sump. The sump pump is then installed either directly in the sump, or above it, with a pipe extending from it out of the house. As the water level inside the sump gets higher, the sump pump activates and pumps it out of the house. This prevents the room from flooding, because the water level never rises out of the sump.

If you’ve ever had to pay to have water damage repaired in your home, you know how costly it can be. Even a minor amount can cost thousands of dollars to repair, if it’s located in the wrong place. That’s why you don’t want to take chances in areas that you know to be vulnerable to flooding. Basements and crawlspaces often contain a variety of different systems, like heaters, air conditioners, water heaters, and electrical wiring, which you really don’t want to be exposed to large amounts of water. Even if the sump pump only protects the space in which you install it from flooding a handful of times over the years, it can easily pay for itself in savings on repair costs.

As we’ve already mentioned several times, the two areas that most commonly see sump pump installations are basements and crawlspaces. Those aren’t the only areas that may need one, though. Any room that is below ground-level, or that is commonly exposed to water when it rains, might benefit from the installation of a sump pump. If you aren’t sure whether or not an area of your home needs a sump pump installed in it, consult with a professional. They’ll be able to tell you whether or not the added protection is worth the investment.