Sump Pump FAQ

Q: What exactly is a sump pump?
A: The basic function of a sump pump is to keep the level of surface water lower than the basement floor. In some cases sump pumps also are used to control the amount of water brought into the basement from the sewer backup
Sump pumps are sometimes installed in yards to control flooding conditions outside the home. Another type of sump pump is a “grinder pump” which is used in disposing of sanitary sewage.

However, when most people think of sump pumps, they associate their usage with basements. These pumps control surface water and help waterproof your basement.

The sump pump usually discharges water out of the basement which the drain-tile system (which lies under the basement floor) has carried to the sump pit.

Years ago, the drainage system under the basement floor would discharge its water into the basement floor drain, which in turn would carry the water into the sanitary sewer. At the time, this was sufficient. However, the growth in population and expansion of home building led to an overload of the sanitary sewage system due to storm water and sewage in the same pipeline. These conditions prompted changes in the plumbing codes, resulting in the mandatory installation of sump pumps (and the subsequent disconnecting of surface water drain tiles from the sanitary sewer). Indeed, many US cities and towns require sump pumps to be installed at the time the house is built and /or before it's sold.

What exactly is purpose and intent of the drain-tile system? It is simply to pick up surface water that builds under the basement floor and around the foundation, and carry it to a discharge point, that's a floor drain or a sump pump.

Often, sump pumps are installed next to basement floor drains that have a history of backing up. As the water backs out of the floor drain, it falls into the sump pit and the sump pump discharges the water outside. This is one way to control sewer back-up, but it’s not necessarily the best way.

Sometimes the sewer will back up with a greater volume of water than the pump can handle, causing the pump to become overwhelmed and not effective. In this case a high-capacity pump may be necessary; this pump would handle any volume of water that the sewer could possibly put into the sump pit. The alternative to pumping sewer backups is to prevent them by installing a gate valve (a manual shut-off valve) in the main sewer line.

Q: Do I need a sump pump?
A: If you have a basement that floods you need one. A sump pump will keep the basement, laundry areas, and storage rooms from causing water damage to your home. Preserving the foundation that supports your home is one of the most important reasons to keep our basement dry.

Q: How do I select the size of sump pump I require?
A: Consider horsepower not size. The horsepower requirement for a house is determined by the area of drainage connected to the sump, the depth to the groundwater, the depth of the basement, and a few other factors. A 1/3 hp pump is standard for most houses.

Q: What is the most likely reason a sump pump can fail?
A: The most common reason for sump pump failure is some type of switching problem. Sometimes the pump can shift inside the basin causing the float that operates the switch to lodge against its side. Debris can also be a factor; it can interfere with the action of the pump switch. It is important for the pump switch and float arm assembly to be able to move freely.

Q: Can the pump “burn up” if the outdoor pipe is obstructed or frozen shut?
A: In this situation it will usually overheat. Fortunately, almost all sump pump motors have thermal protection built in. The thermal relay will reset itself when turned off and allowed to cool down. Realize that while the pump is waiting turn on, it will nor pump water; this can mean that during this time your basement may flood.

Q: How do I check a sump pump to see if it's working?
A: First, be sure the outlet pipe is not frozen shut or plugged up, and that it directs water away from the house. Look inside by opening the lid (if it has one) and make sure it's clean inside and there is no debris causing the pump inlet to be plugged. Next, pour roughly five gallons of water into the sump and listen for the pump to turn on. Make the pump turn on and off at least twice.