Sump Pumps - Your Complete Guide

Howard Shachter, vice president of U.S. Waterproofing, explains what a sump pump is and why it is an essential component to many basement waterproofing systems.

A sump pump is a specific type of a pump that takes water out of a floor basin, also known as a sump, and deposits it away from your home. Sump pumps are essential components of many basement waterproofing systems in homes that are subject to regular flooding. Flooding could be a regular problem because the foundation lies below the water table or due to a plethora of other causes. There are two main types of sump pumps: An “ejector pump” pumps sewage into the sewer system. It goes by that name as it ejects solid material and breaks it down for the treatment plants. Sewage plumbing should always be separate from storm water systems for health reasons and municipal codes.

The more common type of sump pump is only designed to pump water, usually unwanted storm water that has collected, out of the basin. The path for the discharge from pump, depending on local ordinance and where and how your house is built, can either lead out into the backyard on your own property or into the storm sewer public utility, usually located in the street. A primary electric sump pump is usually commonly hooked directly to a home’s electrical system, and it is in charge of most of the work carrying away the unwanted water. In addition, there are also battery-powered backup pumps that take over when the primary one is incapacitated, usually because of a power outage. Ironically, due to the fact that rain storms often cause power outages, your sump pump is usually left without electricity when you need it most, which is why any basement waterproofing specialist will insist you invest into a battery-powered backup pump.

Sump pumps vary in pumping capacity, switch type and longevity. For a more detailed guide as to what to look for when purchasing a sump pump, please refer to What to Look For When Buying a Sump Pump.

Keep in mind that like all mechanical devices, a sump pump will not last forever. They usually tend to last for about 7 to 10 years before they need replacing, and sometimes may need repair if a foreign objects get into them. Another good reason to have a battery backup is for when the day comes that your primary unit dies, your backup unit can do the job until your main unit gets repaired or replaced.