Sump Pump Installation, Repair, and Maintenance

A sump pump is a miniature pump that is configured in a basement to control the flow of water from rain or storms. Most types of sump pumps are installed in a sump pit in your home. To prevent your basement from flooding, a network of drain pipes is connected to your sump pit in your basement. These pipes are designed to move water from the ground to your sump pit. Once the groundwater reaches the pit, your sump pump will flush the water out of the pit and away from your house.

Float Switch or Pressure Sensor Utilized to Activate the Pump

The average size of a sump pit is 2 feet deep and 18–20 inches wide. To remove water from your pit, the sump pump relies on pipes that run in the opposite direction of your property. These water pipes are utilized to flush water away from your property. Once your pit becomes filled with water, the float switch or a pressure sensor will activate the sump pump to remove the water.

A float switch is equipped with a resilient ball that floats on the surface of the incoming water. This will cause the arm of the float switch to rise as the water level increases. On the other hand, a pressure sensor is engineered to detect an increase in pressure from water. Once the pressure becomes too high, the sump pump will turn on to manage the quantity of water in the sump pit. The latest energy-efficient sump pumps on the market feature a safety option that allows you to activate the pump with a malfunctioning float switch or pressure detector valve.

The spinning fan is activated to move water to the drain pipes.

After the float switch or pressure sensor detects an unsafe level of water in your sump pit, a fan mechanism is activated to push water to your drain pipes. Once the fan is turned on, the pressure near your pipes will decrease. This will cause the water in your pit to become attracted to the drain pipes. As a result, the water in your sump pit will begin to be flushed away from your home.

Types of sump pumps

All types of sump pumps utilize your electrical supply to protect your basement from the negative consequences of water damage. If you’re thinking about investing in a sump pump repair or installation for your house, you should become familiar with the two main types of sump pumps. The first type of pump is called a pedestal sump pump.

Pedestal sump pumps

Pedestal sump pumps are connected to a long rod that is designed to keep the pump away from the water in the sump pit. Since this type of sump pump is not located in the pit, it produces noticeable sounds while it's activated. A water line stretches to the base of the sump pit to flush water away from your house.

Submersible sump pumps

Submersible sump pumps are built with water barriers that allow them to operate underwater in your sump pit. These water barriers are designed to protect the motor and electrical parts from water damage. This type of sump pump features a screen to keep excess dirt, debris, and particles away from the pump. Once a submersible sump pump is activated, water is collected through the screen and pushed to the integrated water lines. Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc provides dependable sump pump repair, installation, and replacement services to homes in Illinois. We offer safe and efficient plumbing services in areas such as Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Wheaton, and Elmhurst.

Prior to purchasing a new sump pump, it’s important to become familiar with horsepower ratings. Horsepower is a metric that is utilized to measure the total quantity of power a sump pump is able to create to remove excess water from your sump pit through drain lines. Most homes with a standard water table will require a ⅓ horsepower submersible sump pump to eliminate excess water. On the other hand, an average-sized house with a larger water table may need a½ sump pump.

If you live in a home with an abnormally large water table, you should consider investing in a ¾ or 1 horsepower submersible sump pump. You will need a sump pump with a high horsepower rating if you live on a low piece of land. Houses that are built with deep basements may also require a 1-horsepower sump pump to prevent flooding issues. If you need help choosing a horsepower rating for your submersible sump pump, give our team a call by phone at (630) 968-0783 or book an appointment online. Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc provides proven and fast sump pump installation and repair services near you in Downers Grove and other areas of Illinois.

While sump pumps are designed to last for long periods of time, they have a limited lifespan that is dependent on operating schedules and water quality. As your pump begins to reach the end of its life cycle, you may begin to notice various types of issues. To help you diagnose problems with your sump pump, we have compiled a list of signs that it may be time to replace or repair your sump pump.

Empty Sump Pit

When a sump pump is activated while there is little to no water in a sump pit, this is an indicator of a problem with the drain pipes or system. To resolve this issue, you should check your drain pipes to confirm if there is a blockage. If your drain lines appear to be clear, immediately call a plumber to receive help diagnosing the cause of your empty sump pit.

The sump pump is running continuously.

While it may be normal for your sump pump to operate continuously on a rainy day, it should not be running for a long period of time on a sunny day. If your sump pump is too small for the sump pit in your basement, the pump will be required to operate frequently to maintain a safe water supply. If your sump pump is running continuously throughout the day, this may also be a signal of a broken check valve. This valve is engineered to prevent water from running back into your sump pit. Once the check valve in your sump pump is broken, water may begin to flow from the drainage pipe into your pit. This will cause your sump pump to activate frequently during the day to flush water away from your property.

Frequent Flooding

If you continuously notice a steady stream of water entering your sump pit, this is an indicator of a high water table. This type of problem can be fixed by either lifting the sump pump or installing a second pump in another area of your basement. Ultimately, the easiest way to prevent floods in your basement is to schedule a sump pump installation, repair, or replacement appointment with a licensed plumber. Give our team a call by phone at (630) 968-0783 or fill out our Contact Form to receive help.

Disturbing Sounds

Although it may be normal for your sump pump to produce noise while it operates, it is not normal for a pump to produce a knocking or grinding sound. These noises are a signal of issues with the motor of your sump pump. If you notice a motor issue early, it may be able to be fixed by a licensed technician.