If you live in a home that has a basement or crawlspace, there’s a good chance you have problems with moisture and/or flooding. The American Society of Home Inspectors recently estimated that over sixty percent of homes in the U.S. have problems with below ground wetness. So if you don’t have a sump pump installed already you’ll probably need to eventually, or have your current one replaced at the end of its useful life. And if you’re building a new home, the Federal Clean Water Act of 1987 requires sump pumps to be installed in all new construction with below ground spaces, even if it’s not located in an area that is at risk of flooding. Bottom line: you’re going to need a new sump pump. And a sump pump is a great investment, compared to the damage flooding and excess moisture can cause to a home it’s one of the most economical and reliable precautions you can take.
The Basics
Sump pump operation is pretty simple and straightforward, but here’s a quick refresher. The pump is located in the lowest part of your basement or crawlspace, installed in a pit usually about two 2’ deep and 18” wide. As the pit fills up with water it activates the pump by lifting a float or by exerting pressure on a pressure sensitive switch. The water is pumped through a pipe with a one-way check valve installed to keep the water from flowing back into the pit, and the water is directed to a spot outside where it will drain away from the structure. Pretty simple right? Well, even the simplest of jobs can be messed up if they’re not done correctly.
A Case Study in How to Mess Up a Sump Pump Installation
Here’s a real-life example of poor installation from one of our clients. The client had a flooding situation that required the installation of two pumps. They decided to try to save some money by having a friend or relative do the installation, or perhaps a less than reputable company. Whatever the case, it was a botched job. The pit the pumps were installed in was way too small. This causes a couple of problems. If the pit is too small it fills up rapidly causing the pump to be activated more often than necessary. This not only shortens the useful life of the pump and the check valve, but it causes the pump to get overheated and automatically turn itself off to cool down, which means it’s not working while your basement is flooding. It also causes the float to hang up and malfunction.
To make matters worse, the pit was insufficiently covered, allowing dirt and dust to contaminate the pumps resulting in excessive wear and operating problems, and inevitably early replacement.
The Moral of the Story
Here at Greco & Haines, we see this sort of thing all the time. Either a homeowner tries to install a sump pump themselves or has someone do it who doesn’t really know what they’re doing, however well intentioned. The lesson to be learned is that it pays to bring in a well-qualified, experienced and reputable professional to do the job. Greco & Haines has been serving the people of Connecticut since 1963 and has earned a reputation for doing the job right the first time, every time, guaranteed. Don’t risk major damage to your home, call Greco & Haines today.