Detroit Real Estate

How sump pumps work

Sump pumps are needed to help protect some Metro Detroit basements from flooding or getting periodic water in the basement.  When the soil around a home gets saturated with rain water, that water can leak into the basement. Water looks for the area with the least amount of pressure to get into.  And water damage in the basement can cost thousands of dollars to replace carpeting or your belongings

Many Metro Detroit homes have sump pumps.  Though some do not because they are in a very sandy area.  Sump pumps are recommended and needed more in areas which have lots of flooding,  or when part of the house is below the water table line. However they're very useful as a preventive measure in any house which has a basement.

A sump pump is a pump (machine) which sits in a small hole in the basement floor. The hole is referred to as the sump hole or sump pit, and it's designed to catch any water that might enter the basement of a home.  Many homes have a pea gravel and drain tile system that drains into the sump pump.  This keeps the basement from getting flooded, because the water is actually diverted into the hole and then moved away from the house by the sump pump

As water fills up the sump  hole, the sump pump kicks on and starts pumping the water out and away from the house.   Usually you want to pump it out about 30 to 50 feet away from the house.

Sump pumps have a float which triggers them to turn on and off. When the water rises in the sump pit hole, the sump pump float rises as well. When the sump pump float reaches a certain height, the sump pump automatically turns on and starts pumping the water out and away from your home.

Most sump pump plug into an outlet.  But it is becoming more important to have a backup system in case of power outages.   Some home owners have bought sump pumps that use car style batteries as a power backup.  But there is even a better backup system that is operated off the water pressure in you plumbing system. 

I recommend you to have some sort of backup system.  Sump pumps are needed during storms and flooding, and these are common times for the electricity to go out as well. If the electrical power goes out and you don't have a generator to run the sump pump, you could be in trouble.  You need a backup power source, ito prevent flooding in your basement.

If your sump pump doesn't work water will start seeping through cracks in the floor, cracks in the wall, and between where the wall and floor meet.

I hope this give you a little understanding of how sump pumps protect your basement.  If you are a metro Detroit first time home buyer feel free to give me a call with any questions or if you are are looking for an agent that will look out for you.

Russ Ravary your Local Metro Detroit real estate agent