Premier Sump Pump System

Most basement waterproofing systems rely on a sump pump as the final mechanism to get the water out of the basement. The sump pump is the heart of the system. If the heart stops for any reason, the system fails and your basement gets flooded despite all the money you paid to dry it up. That's why if you are going to rely on a sump pump, you should make sure it's reliable.

Despite any stories you have heard over the years about folks getting flooded because their sump pump was on the blink again, today's sump equipment is better than ever and very reliable – that is if you have the right equipment. With the wrong equipment, you'll be the one telling tales of woe about your pump failing and causing your basement to flood one day.

The Pump is only part of a sump pump system
Besides the pump itself, there are other elements of a good sump pump system that are very important.

The Sump Liner
You don't want your pump to clog in a muddy hole in the floor. And you don't want it in a 5-gallon bucket that doesn't hold a lot of water and will cause the pump to “short cycle” (go on and off very quickly). Instead, you should have a sturdy liner or housing for your sump pump.

Lifetime Warranty?
No pump manufacturer gives a lifetime warranty on their pumps – and there is a good reason why. A lifetime warranty doesn't make a pump better. Some irresponsible contractors will tell you there is a lifetime warranty (or many years) on their pump – “free replacements forever” – to seduce you to buy their whole solution. This is irresponsible. Ask yourself, “How do I know when to call to get my free replacement?” The answer is when the pump has failed and your basement is flooded.

Air-Tight Sump Lid with a Floor Drain
The sump should have an air-tight lid to prevent water from evaporating out of the sump hole into your basement, to stop stuff from falling in that can clog the pump or switch, and to quiet the system. Depending on the cover, it can also make the installation look good too. Instead of a necessary evil in your home, you have a thoughtfully engineered system.

When you have a plumbing leak and the water floods out onto the basement floor, you'll want to use your sump hole to drain the water away. A sump lid with a floor drain is the answer.

A Stand for the Pump and a Check Valve
A “CleanPump Stand” elevates the pump off the bottom of the sump liner, allowing sediment, mud, debris, or gravel that washes into the sump liner to settle to the bottom of the sump liner without clogging or otherwise affecting the pump. It also keeps the check valve and discharge pipe clean.

Pump Alarms
How would you know if your sump pump has failed and you were in danger of being flooded? Unless you have an alarm, the answer is, when your basement is already flooded. A battery-powered alarm that automatically sounds off when the water reaches a level above the point where the pump(s) should normally turn on is essential.

What if my pump fails? What if the power goes out?
You need to plan on...

• The power going out one day – which usually happens in a big storm with rain
• The pump coming unplugged
• The circuit breaker tripping
• The primary pump failing
• The primary pump not being able to keep up with the amount of water in a very heavy rain

Remember all the stories of woe people have told you about the sump pump failing and them getting flooded? These are the reasons they were talking about. You don't have to go through that if you get the right equipment.