Benjamin Franklin Plumbing | (417) 823-8400| http://springfieldplumbermo.com

Make Sure Your Sump Pump Is Correctly Installed

If your home has a basement or crawlspace, there’s a good chance you’ll have moisture

problems and/or flooding. The American Society of Home Inspectors has estimated

that over 60% of homes in the U.S. have problems with below ground wetness. The

Federal Clean Water Act of 1987 requires sump pumps to be installed in all new homes

with below ground space, even if it’s not

located in an area prone to flooding. So eventually you’re going to need a sump

pump. A sump pump is a great investment, compared to the damage excess moisture and flooding can cause; it’s one of the

most affordable and reliable precautions you can take.

Sump Pump Basics

Sump pump operation is pretty straightforward. The pump is located in the lowest

part of your below ground space, installed in a pit normally about 24” deep and 18” wide. As the pit fills with water it starts the pump by lifting a float or by activating a

pressure sensitive switch. The water is pumped through a pipe with a one-way check valve to prevent the water from flowing back into the pit, and the water is carried

outside to a spot where it will drain away from the home. Pretty simple, but even the simplest of jobs can go awry if they’re not done correctly.

How Not To Install A Sump Pump

Here’s a real-life example of a poor installation. The homeowner decided to try to

save some money by having a friend do the installation. The pit the pump was installed in was much too small. This causes a couple of problems. A pit that’s too

small fills rapidly causing the pump to be activated more often than necessary. This shortens the useful life of the pump and the check valve, and causes pump

overheating. The pump will turn itself off to cool down, which means it’s not operating while your basement is flooding. It can also cause the float to hang up and

malfunction.

The pit was also insufficiently covered, allowing dirt and dust into the pump resulting

in excessive wear and mechanical problems, and eventually to early replacement.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing | (417) 823-8400| http://springfieldplumbermo.com

Don’t Take Chances With Your Home

Here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we see this sort of thing frequently. A

homeowner tries to install a sump pump themselves or has someone do it who

doesn’t really know what they’re doing. It pays to bring in a well-qualified, reputable plumber to do the job. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has been serving the people of

Springfield for many years and has earned a reputation for doing the job right the first time, every time, we guarantee it. Don’t risk major damage to your home, call

us at 417-823-8400 today.