One of the most effective ways to protect your Fort Lee home against flooding or leaks in the basement or garage is to have a sump pump installed.
If you live in an area with a high water table or one that experiences heavy rains, a sump pump serves an essential function: removing excess moisture from your basement or crawlspaces. A sump pump stops expensive water damage problems, protects your belongings, reduces humidity, and prevents the development of dangerous molds and mildews. This simple device will turn on automatically when water starts to enter your home and remove that water by pumping it into a separate pipe or directly into the sewer system.
Sump pumps require professional installation to make sure that they work correctly at removing water from your home and placing it in the wastewater system. A poorly installed sump pump in Teaneck, NJ is as bad as no sump pump at all, so always look to experienced plumbing professionals when you need installation.
If you need a sump pump installed or serviced contact our team at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc., where excellent customer service is our #1 priority.
How a Sump Pump Works
Sump pumps come in two standard models: pedestal and submersible. Both work from similar principles, however, and both require a sump, an excavated spot with a gravel base inside your basement that draws and collects water.
A sump pump activates when the water in the sump rises high enough to activate a float or pressure sensor. Water then flows through a pipe past a check valve (to prevent the water from running back out) from the action of a centrifugal pump. An impeller spins to move the water toward the side of the pipe, and this causes an area of low-pressure to form in the center of the pipe. The water in the sump, which is at a higher pressure than the area in the pipe, now rushes in to fill the empty space, where the force of the spinning impeller pushes it out through the pipe and into the wastewater system of the home.
The key to helping a sump pump effectively remove unwanted rainwater and runoff in your home before it causes damage is to ensure that water is directed into that pit. If you have a finished basement, one of the most effective ways to do this is with a set of French drains that gather and funnel water to the pump.
Sump pumps use electricity to run, so you don’t need to worry about using an extra energy source. You do need to worry about keeping the power system from the water, and this is another reason to always have professionals handle sump pump installation.
Now, let’s take a look at the specifics of pedestal and submersible sump pumps.
Pedestal Pumps
A pedestal sump pump is the less expensive model: essentially a small stand, with an impeller to move the water on the bottom and a motor to run it on the top. The motor is not designed to be submerged under water. It detects waters that arrive in your basement, then activates the impeller, which rotates rapidly and uses centrifugal force to pull the water into a pipe. The water then flows through the pipe and out of your home, to be deposited safely outside or in your local sewer system.
Submersible Pumps
Submersible pumps don’t need to protect their motor from rising floodwaters. Instead, the whole device is placed in a sump pit – a hole dug at the lowest point in your property and where floodwaters drain into during a storm. It works in the same manner as the pedestal pump: using the spinning impeller to move water out of the basement. However, it’s also quieter, more efficient and lasts longer than a pedestal pump. The only downside is that it tends to cost more and requires a little more effort to install.
Add a Sump Pump to Your Teaneck Home
When you call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc. regarding a sump pump in Teaneck, NJ, our plumbers will find out whether a submersible or pedestal pump is the right match for your home, determine how powerful it needs to be, and then take care of creating the sump in the right spot and installing the pump so it works efficiently. We will also handle maintenance and any repairs you may need to keep your sump pump operating for many years.
