Are you thinking about investing in a sump pump? Learn how these devices can protect your home from water damage (and which sump pump is right for you).

If your home has a basement or crawl space, it’s in your best interest to get a sump pump installed. Even if you’ve never had to deal with flooding before, there’s always a possibility this will happen—and in that case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here, you’ll find a full explanation of how sump pumps protect crawl spaces from water damage (among other issues).

What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a mechanism placed in a dedicated “sump pit” at the lowest point in your home (typically, a crawl space or basement). This device won’t always be active, but it will help remove excess water from the lower levels of your home before it can do significant damage.

When water flows into your sump pit, a valve will indicate that water levels and/or pressure are rising. Once that happens, your pump will turn on, moving excess water into a discharge line and away from your home’s foundation.

The Benefits of a Sump Pump for Your Crawl Space

When you install a sump pump in your crawl space, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:

  • Quick, effective water removal. Sump pumps automatically activate during rainstorms and when groundwater levels are rising. Because of that, you won’t have to wait for basement water removal. Instead, this device will take care of it for you.
  • Excellent indoor air quality. One of the most significant issues caused by crawl space moisture is the threat of mold and mildew growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold exposure can cause symptoms like red/itchy eyes, coughing and wheezing, and stuffy noses. If your crawl space already has mold, you’ll need to invest in mold removal. But by preventing this growth from occurring, sump pumps can go a long way toward helping you breathe easy.
  • Impressive energy efficiency. Sump pumps only activate when they need to do their job. Because of that, they don’t use nearly as much energy as you might assume—especially compared to water removal methods that rely on continuous operation.
  • Additional forms of protection. Sump pumps can keep your home safe from foul odors, peeling paint, cracked floors, and rusting.

Understanding Sump Pump Varieties

Before you get a sump pump installed in your crawl space, you’ll want to understand which product in this category is the best fit for your needs. There are two common varieties of sump pumps (and two widely used backup systems for these devices):

Submersible Sump Pumps

Submersible sump pumps get their name from the fact that they’re submerged and closed in a basin in your crawl space or basement. These pumps contain both a pump and a motor in a single unit.

Due to their submerged design, submersible sump pumps take up minimal space, operate quietly, and are relatively resistant to clogs. On the other hand, they may need to be replaced sooner than other sump pumps since they’re submerged in water. Even so, these are the best sump pumps for homes at serious risk of flooding.

Pedestal Sump Pumps

Meanwhile, pedestal sump pumps sit on a pedestal above a basin and have a hose running to the basin. The motor and pump in these devices are separated; the latter component pushes water through the hose and out to a drain area.

Since these pumps are not submerged, they often have a superior lifespan to submersible sump pumps (and are easier to access when maintenance issues arise). However, they aren’t free of drawbacks—they’re often noisier than submersible pumps, and they usually require more space.

Battery Backup Sump Pumps

When your home is dealing with a major storm, you’ll want to ensure your sump pump is ready to help—but that might not be possible if your power goes out. In situations like these, a battery backup sump pump can give you added protection.

Battery backups with float switches let sump pumps continue to operate after the power goes out. If water rises in your basin, it will trigger the backup’s float switch, activating the battery and allowing your pump to continue operating.

Water-Powered Backup Sump Pumps

Battery-powered backups aren’t the only sump pump backup option worth considering. Water-powered backups use increased water pressure to clear water from your sump pump basin.

If you use a water-powered backup system, you won’t have to replace batteries or keep an eye on your backup’s condition. However, you’ll also have a higher water bill while using one of these systems (not to mention the fact that some cities prohibit their installation).

What Happens When Sump Pumps Freeze?

Since your sump pump is located inside your home, it’s less likely to freeze than you might think. Even so, they can become frozen—and when that happens, you’ll need to know what to do next.

Sump pumps often get frozen when other conditions prevent water from moving through the discharge line. Because of that, the key to treating frozen sump pumps is dealing with whatever’s blocking this line. Once your sump pump is thawed, you’ll need to assess it for any possible damage and potentially repair it before using it again.

Taking steps to insulate your sump pump can reduce your risk of dealing with this situation (and the resulting possibility of damage). To do this, you could install insulation material around the discharge line or bury your discharge line deep underground.

Get Guidance on Sump Pumps From The Pros

When you contact Attic Projects about crawl space sump pumps, you’ll get advice from our team of crawl space experts. We’ll take your home’s needs into account and help you find the right sump pump variety for your situation. We can also give you tips on finding a sump pump made by a trustworthy brand, ensuring you’ll get the durability and reliability you deserve over the long term. Take the first step by reaching out today!