What is a Sump Pump and How Does it Work?

5/24/2023 (Permalink)

A sump pump automatically directs excess water to a designated discharge area, such as a creek, pond, lake, or neighborhood drain.

You may have heard from your neighbors, friends, family, or coworkers about how their sump pump saved their home during a thunderstorm, but not have a clue as to what they’re talking about! So…what is a sump pump?

A sump pump is a kind of pump typically located in a basement or crawl space that removes excess or accumulated water to a place where it can be safely drained away, outside. The water may enter from drain backups, rainwater, or flooding. The device is equipped with valves that sense rising water levels and automatically pump out any excess water to a designated discharge area, such as a creek, pond, lake, or neighborhood drain.

Do I Need a Sump Pump?

Having a sump pump can be somewhat of a lifesaver in times of heavy rain and storms in your area. Living in and around Cincinnati, this may be a good idea due to the heavy rain and snow we get throughout the year. This can be especially helpful if your property is on a flood-prone plot, you’ve experienced water problems in the past, or if your basement is finished.

Here are some of the advantages of installing one in your property:

• Prevent and defend your home from flooding
• Reduce mold, mildew, and fungus growth
• Improve indoor air quality
• Keep the basement or crawl space drier
• Meet a requirement for homeowners insurance coverage of basement flooding

Sump Pump Failure

Sump pumps are not a perfect preventative or protective solution to your home or business. Sump pumps do have a chance of malfunctioning, or failing, should discharge lines become clogged or frozen. The most common mechanical failure is a stuck or faulty switch, or the motor may become burnt out.

If a sump pump fails in your home causing a water backup, your homeowner’s insurance will more likely cover any damage costs due to the water damage.

As always, should your Cincinnati home or business need water damage restoration, you know who to call: SERVPRO of Northwest and Northeast Cincinnati, the disaster recovery PROs. We work directly with property owners and insurance companies for a smooth claims process. Our crews are ready 24/7 for emergency restoration services.