Tracking Down a Musty Smell in a 100-Year-Old Home
If you have a musty odor that seems to be coming from your older home’s crawl space, you’re not alone. Mold growth is incredibly common in these spaces, and that can easily…
Storms don’t have to mean stress. With a sump pump protecting your crawl space, you’ll feel confident knowing your home has the defense it needs against moisture, mold, and costly water damage.
Our in-house inspectors will provide you a detailed inspection report so we understand exactly what needs to be done, to take you where you want to be. Make sense?
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A sump pump is a piece of equipment that is placed in a sump pit at the lowest point of your home, typically a crawl space or basement. Sump pumps are crucial devices that can save homes from extensive water damage and costly repairs.
Sump pumps activate only when needed, and remove water from your basement or crawl space and away from your home. The valve senses when water levels or pressure escalate as excess water flows towards the sump pit. As the water fills the hole, the sump pump float switch activates and turns the pump on. Once the pump is on, water is moved into a discharge line and away from your home’s foundation to prevent flooding and pooling water.
In rainy climates like Washington, a sump pump is essential to prevent flooding in your home. Any homeowner that has an underground level–a basement or crawl space–should have a sump pump installed to protect their home. Not only does a sump pump alleviate flooding, but it also helps to keep crawl space humidity levels low, reducing the chances of mold and mildew growth.
If you do not currently have a sump pump installed, take a look in your crawl space or basement for potential signs that you have water damage issues from past flooding:
Keeps water from accumulating during heavy rains or plumbing leaks, protecting your home’s foundation, floors, and stored belongings.
Reduces the risk of wood rot, warping, and shifting caused by prolonged moisture exposure in beams and joists. Excess groundwater pressure around the foundation can also lead to cracks and settling. A sump pump relieves that pressure by moving water away from the home.
By keeping the crawl space dry, sump pumps reduce the conditions that allow mold, mildew, and allergens to thrive. Crawl space moisture can raise humidity levels upstairs. A sump pump helps keep the entire home more comfortable.
Many pests—like termites, rodents, and mosquitoes—are drawn to damp areas. A dry crawl space makes your home less inviting.
Less moisture in the crawl space means your HVAC system doesn’t need to work as hard to regulate temperature and humidity.
Knowing your crawl space has protection against unexpected flooding or long-term water damage helps you worry less about costly repairs.

Sump pumps are a vital part of maintaining any Washington home. If you don’t have one, you’re missing out on a valuable layer of protection. A sump pump can prevent extensive water damage in your basement or crawl space.
The pump installation costs will always outweigh the cost of the extensive repairs you’d need to pay to remedy any damage. The average costs depend on the size and setup of your system and if there’s any existing water damage in your home.
For the highest quality sump pump information, contact Attic Projects. No matter where you live in the Seattle area or what type of home you have, trust our team to protect your most significant investment.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.




Yes, a sump pump can freeze. However, a frozen sump pump usually means the discharge line exiting the pump is frozen. Although the pump can freeze, it’s not as likely to happen because it’s kept inside your home. Still, it’s possible and usually caused by a previous condition that stops water from passing through the discharge lines. To treat a frozen pump, whatever is blocking the line must be removed. Typically, it must be thawed and assessed for damage that may have occurred. Before it can be used again, the sump pump must be restarted.
Adding some insulation to your sump pump can help prevent a frozen discharge line, just like it does for plumbing pipes that course through your home. This helps prevent the water from freezing and keeps it moving through the line. Other insulation methods include burying the discharge line deeper underground or using hay and a tarp to protect the line. Insulation may help keep your sump pump from external damage and contain any existing leaks. If you notice that your sump pump does freeze this winter, seek professional help to unthaw the frozen discharge line. Prompt attention is crucial to protecting your home from water damage.
If your sump pump is constantly running, it could signal an underlying issue that needs attention. While some on-and-off operation is normal, continuous running might mean the pump struggles to keep up with water or that there’s a constant water source. Attic Projects suggests having your sump pump checked by a certified professional to identify and fix potential problems. Regular maintenance and prompt intervention can keep your sump pump in top shape, ensuring reliable protection against basement water issues in California and Washington.
While a sump pump mainly tackles water issues, it can indirectly help control radon levels and other gases in your basement. By handling water and dampness, which can create conditions favorable for radon, a sump pump may indirectly support efforts to manage radon. For specific radon mitigation, additional steps like proper ventilation and sealing might be necessary. Attic Projects understands the unique conditions in your California or Washington basement and can suggest tailored solutions.
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Our in-house inspectors will provide you a detailed inspection report so we understand exactly what needs to be done, to take you where you want to be. Make sense?
"*" indicates required fields