Sump Pump 101

Sump pumps. We talk about them a lot, because they’re a vital part of the waterproofing process - maybe the most vital part. But what do they do? And are they really necessary? Isn’t the floor drain in your basement enough?

The answers to the questions above are, in order: A lot, Yes, and Absolutely not.

First, let’s talk about life without a sump pump. If you have a floor drain, it’s hopefully installed at the lowest point of your basement floor; that way gravity can do its job and the water will flow to it. Then, the water enters the drain, which is usually connected to the sewer line, so that’s where it exits.

But what if there are multiple “low points” in your basement? Or what if you get multiple inches of rain and the sewer system is at capacity? Where does the water go?

If you don’t have a sump pump, you already know (because you’ve spent sleepless nights trying to stay ahead of it) - the water goes back into your basement. It’s not uncommon after a heavy rain for water to gush back through the drain and wreak havoc on your basement, and there isn’t much you can do other than Shop Vac it and hope. And if there’s another low point away from the drain? Hope you like standing water!

By installing a sump pump, you regain control of your home and remove chance from the equation. Water will run into a crock the same way it runs into a drain, but that’s where the differences end. Especially when tied into a perimeter drainage system (like our WaterGuard), a sump pump proactively discharges water not into the sewer line, but up and out of the basement to a place in the yard where it won’t just run right back in. Where you might not discover a drain flood until you happen to go into the basement, a sump pump will get rid of water independently, and the sound of it kicking on is the only way you’ll know there was a problem.

Now, all sump pumps are not created equal. Many people run into problems because their pump gets damaged or clogged; this is almost always due to the pump not having a cover. Installing a cover keeps the pump mechanism protected from physical trauma and debris alike, which ensures that your pump will run smoothly.

Ayers offers multiple sump pump options, depending on your home’s needs. If you have a crawl space with flooding issues, our SmartSump is your best bet. It’s designed to fit with our CleanSpace encapsulation system so everything stays water-tight and protected. For basements, the SuperSump and TripleSafe are both options, depending on how severe or frequent your flooding issues are. In addition to high capacity outputs, the SmartSump and SuperSump have an optional UltraSump battery available for installation, and the TripleSafe has it built in. This means that, when a storm knocks out your power, your sump pump will keep going and prevent your basement or crawl space from flooding.

Sump pumps aren’t pretty, and they don’t have a glamorous job, but they’re a vital part of keeping your basement dry and your home and belongings protected from the effects of standing water. Imagine the peace of mind that will come with knowing your basement is protected - even when it’s raining, and even when the power goes out. No more long nights bailing water in shifts to keep it from ruining your stored boxes, and no more dealing with that pervasive damp smell.

Call us today at 1-800-638-7048 to find out how adding a sump pump to your basement can change your life!