Sump Pump Reviews – Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
The most commonly asked question when it comes to sump pumps is: What is a sump pump? In our sump pump reviews on the other pages, you can come across explanations about it several times. But we want to make a brief explanation in here as well. A sump pump is a pump that is placed in a basement above or inside a sump pit to drain underground water from your home. You can differentiate between two main types of sump pumps – pedestal sump pump or submersible sump pump.
The submersible models are inside the sump pit, under water, like their name suggests. While the pedestal models are above ground. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks. The sump pump is very useful to move large quantities of water from your basement in critical moments. For instance, during storms, hurricanes, and floods. Having one means a difference between paying large bills for repairs. Or just paying a reasonable bill to set up the entire system to drain the water away.
Common Asked Questions About Sump Pumps
HOW DO WE WRITE OUR SUMP PUMP REVIEWS?
Most of our time is spent searching the internet for relevant information about sump pumps and their accessories which will keep your basement dry when the harsh times come. -please click here to see sump pump alarms and other accessories- We try to look over as many sites, sump pump reviews as possible to get as much useful info as possible and also to make sure that all those writings are true.
We also try to incorporate user reviews whenever possible and we try to emphasize them since they are not being paid to promote the product. Sometimes it is difficult to get information on some
products since there are no user sump pump reviews and/or the company did not provide any details about the model in question. In those cases, we recommend that you give a local professional (a plumber or an electrician) a call to find out more.
For further info, see our best sump pump choices
WHICH IS THE BEST SUMP PUMP BRAND AND WHY?
It is difficult to say which one is the best brand since what is THE best is a very subjective term. The best sump pump is the one that takes care of your problem for a reasonable price. We can only present you the information for the products in question and try to look over customer experience. That job becomes even more difficult when there are no user reviews of those products. That was the case in many of the sump pump reviews we gave. When you ask yourself the question: “Do I need a sump pump?” and then answer: “Yes!” try getting all the relevant info about your location before making a choice on the brand and model.
HOW DOES A SUMP PUMP WORK?
Or maybe the best crucial question would be “what do you do if your basement is flooded?” or “how do I stop my basement from flooding?” waterproofing your basement with some home improvement techniques could be an answer for this question. but when you go deep inside of details you will see the real proper efficient solution for the problem: Sump Pumps. But, We talk about the situation if you are the homeowner already. If you’re not, please check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if a flooded basement is covered by homeowners insurance. (Probably not because Sump pumps typically won’t be covered by insurance policy as default. But it can easily be added on for a fraction of what it would cost to repair and replace water-damaged items in your home)
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A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawl space. “So what is the function of a sump pump?” Its job is to help keep the area under the building dry and to prevent it from flooding. Usually, sump pumps are installed in specially constructed sump pits. Water flows into the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil. The sump pump’s job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building so the basement or crawl space stays dry.
please click here for related sump pump reviews to see what is the cost to replace a sump pump
DO PLUMBERS FIX THE SUMP PUMP?
Plumbers (and even electricians) can fix sump pumps, but some of the intricate workings of the devices are best left to specialists. While plumbers can deal with the most common issues, waterproofing specialist knows the details about their workings and are familiar with various sump pump models. This knowledge is necessary when working on the piece of machinery that is in a damp environment all the time. You should always take care of a sump pump failure right away since you cannot know when the next storm or flood is coming.
HOW DO I REPLACE A SUMP PUMP?
Assuming your pump was doing its job well before it broke down, it is best to replace it with the same model. It is the easiest solution since all the connections are still there and it will cost less because of that. The models on a pedestal will last longer since they are not in water (that requires waterproofing which is prone to failure). Pedestal sump pumps are easier to replace since they are above the sump pit and you do not need to break the concrete to get them out. They, on the other hand, require more maintenance, and they also take up space.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO INSTALL A SUMP PUMP?
Pump installation cost differs model to model and depends on how you will do it. Briefly, Submersible sump pump models are more difficult (expensive) to replace, and they have a shorter lifespan. Sump pump replacement is cheaper and easier than the installation and many homeowners opt to do it themselves.
For further info about sump pump installation and maintenance reviews page
DO I NEED BATTERY BACK UP SUMP PUMP SYSTEM?
A sump pump will not work without electricity. Since it is needed the most during a flood or a storm, you cannot have it not working during a power outage. As you know, those are most common during those times. If you are in areas that experience power outages, then getting a battery backup sump pump or for the better option, combination sump pump backup will save you lots of money in the long run by preventing large repair bills. Since you can never know when a power outing will occur, you need to make sure that the battery that you get lasts long enough to weather through the storm.
For further info about battery backup sump pumps
WHAT IS THE BEST HP SUMP PUMP FOR MY HOUSE?
When buying a sump pump, the most important thing to consider after choosing which type you need is the strength of the motor. If you get a weak one, it will not be able to handle all the water during storm seasons. If it is too strong, you will be wasting capacity. It is always better to err on the side of caution and get a stronger one if you are unsure. The stronger the models are, the more power they are going to use and you should factor that into your electricity bill.
For further info, see our best sump pump reviews page
DOES SUMP PUMP PRODUCTION MATERIAL MATTER?
There are two types of sump pumps when it comes to the material – plastic sump pumps and cast-iron sump pumps. Cast-iron pumps are by far a better option in this matter. Because they offer a much better value for money than the plastic ones. Plastic pump casings cost less since the material is cheaper. In addition, they are lighter so it is less expensive to ship them. On the other hand, you will probably need to replace the casing several times during the pumps life. So it will be more expensive in the long run. They are also more prone to damage than the cast-iron casings. When it comes to heat dispersal capabilities, cast-iron casings do a much better job of cooling the motor then the plastic ones. Overheating can be a major cause of pump failure.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY SUMP PUMP FREEZES?
The first thing you should do is to turn off the pump. Because leaving it running could damage the motor because it will work on empty. After that, find the drainage pipe and disconnect it from the motor. You should then use a screwdriver to chip away any ice in the pipe to prevent pipe damage. You should do it gently. After you are done, a little bit of water will exit the pipe and that means that the pipe is clear from ice. The final step is to attach a wider temporary pipe to the motor since it is less prone to freezing. If the sump pump has been damaged, you should call a reputable repairman.
HOW DO SUMP PUMPS FAIL?
There are many reasons why pumps fail and we will talk about the most common ones. The most common is a power failure. This can be mitigated by getting a battery backup or a generator. You should also protect your electrical system from power surges. The pump could malfunction because it is of the wrong size, because of improper installation, switch problems, lack of maintenance, frozen or clogged discharge lines or because of a product defect.
IS SUMP PUMP FAILURE COVERED BY INSURANCE?
If you have home insurance, the pump itself is usually not covered by it. However, this type of coverage can be easily added on to your homeowner’s policy in the form of what’s called an “endorsement”. Since dealing with the fine print is not something that a homeowner usually does, it is best to call an insurance agent and get a direct confirmation.