How does sump pump drainage work

The two most common sump pump switches are float activated and pressure activated. The float is a very common method. Within the pit, there is a floating device this has a tilt sensor. If the float rises to a pre-set level, it will activate the pump and allow it to remove all of the water from the pit. If it is a pressure system, the level of water above the sensor causes the switch to activate the pump.

Regardless of the type of pump and sensor being used, there should always be a back-flow or check valve installed in the discharge pipe above the unit. This prevents any discharge water from dropping back into the pump at the conclusion of the pumping cycle.

A sump pump can fail. The most common life span of a sump pump is seven years. The drain tiles can become clogged with debris or root intrusion. You also want to monitor the float activation, as water in the pit should never be high enough to flow back into the drain tiles. However, the most common issue with a sump pump is the easiest to predict — without power the pump cannot operate. To fully protect your foundation, and your home, consider installing some form of alternative power to operate your sump pump.

Also, be sure to check out our seasonal home maintenance checklist for tips on other home care things to monitor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How Does a Sump Pump Work?

At Sobieski Services, Inc. Bradford White Partner Information. Homeowners: Commercial Home Builders New Construction. It attaches to the pump outlet with a threaded connection to facilitate easy removal for regular maintenance like cleaning the basin. Most sump pump systems have an air gap. Normally, the air gap is located where the discharge pipe exits the building.

The air gap may not be literal gap; it may be a slotted pipe or have a vented cover, or one of many possible forms including atrium, candy cane, pipe-in-pipe, and others. Depending on which type of air gap your sump pump uses, it may be susceptible to getting clogged. You should periodically inspect your air gap while the sump pump is running to ensure that water is flowing through it freely.

Any problems with your check valves will increase the back pressure on the pump, putting it under additional strain. Sewer systems are not designed to handle large volumes of runoff resulting from heavy rain or snowmelt. This connection also provides an additional point of ingress for water.

Consider consider disconnecting your pump from the sewer system with input from a professional if you need to design a new outflow path. A stuck float switch may simply be stuck. Clear the debris and see if it starts working properly. Alternatively, float switches sometimes get stuck if the pump has wandered out of its original position. As they run, sump pumps vibrate, and may move themselves far enough that the float switch starts getting stuck on something.

To fix this issue, reset and re-level your sump pump into the right position. The float switch may be stuck in the off position. Try manually raising the float switch by hand to see if your pump turns on. Your pump may not be getting enough power. Sump pumps should have their own dedicated circuit. The pump motor could be overheated. If your sump pump often overheats, it may be too small. The pump could be clogged. Then, unplug the pump and inspect the intake for blockage.

You may need to remove the pump from the sump pit. Water damage accounts for more home insurance claims than fire and theft combined.

Insurers often impose higher flood deductibles for homes in high-flood-risk areas as well. However, in higher-risk areas, customers with battery-backed-up sump pumps are eligible for lower premiums. To get a quote on your own home insurance, click the button at the bottom of this page. If your sump pump fails and causes your home to suffer water damage, your home insurance will only cover the resulting water damage if it normally covers that type of loss.

This depends on how the water gets into your home. In one example, if your sump pump fails during a rainstorm, allowing groundwater to back up through the sump and into your basement, your home insurance would only cover the loss if it normally covers losses caused by the backing up of sewer, septic and sump systems.

Most home insurance policies exclude this kind of loss by default, and would require the purchase of an optional Sewer Backup endorsement that includes sump pump backups. In another example, if your sump pump were to fail during an overland flooding event — like a river that overflows its banks — many home insurance policies would not respond to this kind of damage at all, whether or not the sump pump is functioning properly.

Some home insurance providers offer overland flooding coverage as an optional endorsement. Square One includes overland flood coverage on most of the policies we sell. How often a sump pump runs depends on its local conditions. Some basements are closer to the water table than others, and so their sump pumps run more often. Here are some potential causes:. A faulty check valve. The check valve lets water out, but not back in. Check valves are usually installed near the pump, in the sump pit.

Not every sump pump has a check valve installed. A blocked discharge line. Run the calculations from further up the page to see if you need a more powerful pump. A change in the water table.

Water tables can change over time, especially seasonally. If the water table at your home rises past the height of your sump pit, your pump will run much more often.

Having a battery backup sump pump is important. Though, you can buy combination sump pumps that have both a primary and a backup pump in the same unit. If you live in a flat or low-lying area, or somewhere that gets a lot of snow or rain, you should have a sump pump.

If you discover moisture in your basement, dry it out with a dehumidifier and check back a few days later. If the moisture has returned, you probably need a sump pump.