Sump Pump System Diagram: How It Protects Your Basement

Sump Pump System Diagram: How It Protects Your Basement

Whenever there is a risk of flooding, a sump pump is the hero of your basement, somewhere in the background doing its thing to hold off the water. Most homeowners, however are unsure of how a sump pump system is supposed to work and of all the parts. In this article, we are going to take you through a step-by-step process on how your basement is safeguarded by a sump pump system. We will explain each section of the system and how all the sections interact with each other to make your house safe and dry.

What Is a Sump Pump?

The sump pump is a little electric pump put in a hole, termed sump pit or sump basin, beneath your basement floor. Its role is eloquent but basic to pump water accumulated in the pit and carry it to a safe distance away from your home.

When there is heavy rainfall or when there is thawing after a snowfall, you can end up with a pool of water in your basement, where the water seeps in. This leads to enormous issues in the long run, such as the appearance of molds, foundation cracking, and losses of stored goods.

A sump pump provides you with peace of mind because when installed and maintained, a sump pump ensures that you never have a wet basement, despite the worst storms.

Sump Pump System Diagram

We will outline the various components involved with a typical sump pump system below, along with how each component functions to keep your basement dry:

Sump Pit (Sump Tank):

The sump tank is a hole burrowed into your basement floor, a hole shaped like a circle. It normalizes water that trickles through the soil or behind your foundation. It is normally constructed out of hard plastic and comes fitted with a cover to prevent contamination by debris.

Sump Pump Unit:

This is the primary pump which lies in the pit. It starts with the rising of the water in the pit to a specific level. The majority of the homes possess either of the two types:

Submersible Sump Pump: Is located in the pit, at the bottom of the water. It is awesome and quiet.

Pedestal Sump Pump: It is on top of the pit and long pipe penetrates the pit downwards. It is more serviceable and louder.

Float Switch

The float switch is a little device rising above the water in the pit. As the water level increases, the float goes up. When it gets to a predetermined height, it switches the power on to the pump.

Check Valve

On the discharge pipe, this one-way valve is mounted. It prevents the flooding of pumped out water into the pit.

Discharge Pipe

This is the pipe which holds the water up and out of your basement. It normally runs off and out of your foundation, and, as a result, water does not back up.

Battery Backup System

A backup battery is present in many sump pumps. When your power goes out because of a storm, the battery takes over, and you can continue using your pump.

Alarm System

Certain sump pumps also come with an alarm which goes off once the water level becomes high and when the pump fails.

This collective effort of all these parts makes a reliable system. Once water enters the pit, the pit gets filled up, and the float switch operates in such a way that it switches the pump on, and the water is released through the discharge pipe.

How a Sump Pump Protects Your Basement

Just so we can get a clear picture of how your sump pump system protects your basement step by step, let’s do it using the following steps:

Water Collects in the Pit:
Water flows towards your home foundation because of rain, melting snow and groundwater. What flows in your basement instead of pooling there goes into the sump pit.

Float Switch Rises:
A float switch gradually rises as the water in the pit rises.

Pump Activates:
At the “on” level the float closes the switch and completes the circuit to supply the pump with power.

Water Pumps Out:
The pump motor engages, and pulls the water up in the discharge pipe and out of your house.

Check Valve Closes:
Once the pump switches off, the check valve prevents the water from going back into the pit.

Battery Backup (if installed):
When the power leaks and you are left in a storm, the battery unit makes your sump pump move easily, and this way, you won’t have a flood of water.

This automatic routine course of action will repeat itself whenever there is a water accumulation, providing you with a safety blanket, always, no matter how hard you work.

Common Problems and Solutions

As much as the best sump pump systems are in place they can develop problems when they have not been well taken care of. Some of the issues that become a common problem among homeowners and the ways to prevent them include:

Pump Doesn’t Turn On:
It can occur when the float switch is jammed or the motor has gone dead. To ensure that the pump works, pour water in the pit regularly to make sure that the pump turns on.

Clogged Discharge Pipe:
The pipe can be blocked by debris or ice or critters. Have a screen on the pipe, inspect it in spring and fall.

Power Failure:
Also provide battery backup or generator that will power your pump through storms.

Pump Runs Continuously:
It may indicate that the switch is locked or there is an overflow situation where water is getting back in. Test the float and the check valve.

Strange Noises:
It can be the buzzing or clicking, which indicates a dead motor or deteriorated parts. It is necessary to call a professional in case you hear something strange.

Most of these issues can be avoided with regular maintenance, and your system should keep you satisfied several years into the future!

Tips for Keeping Your Sump Pump in Top Shape

Test It Monthly:
Put a bucket of water in the hole and look to see whether the floating device will appear, and if it works.

Clean the Pit:
Wash away the mud, rocks and other litter that may prevent the intake.

Inspect the Discharge Pipe:
It is necessary to ensure that water flows freely outside and away through your foundation.

Check the Power Source:
Be sure that the pump is plugged in and the battery is charged.

Schedule a Professional Inspection:
The system should be inspected by a plumber once per year so the minor issues can be identified.

The steps do not consume much time and could save you thousands of dollars in repairing the water damages.

When Should You Replace a Sump Pump?

The average lifetime of a sump pump is about 7 to 10 years. If you have to replace your sump pump earlier, it can be caused by:

• The pump is subject to recurrent issues
• It has gotten loud or faulty
• It is more than ten years old
• You have experienced recurring basement floods

When you observe any of these signs in your sump pump, it would be better to change it to avoid trouble when the next big storm comes.

Why Professional Sump Pump Installation Matters

Although other homeowners attempt to use a sump pump independently, there is a huge benefit to having a sump pump professionally installed:

• Right fit to your house
• The pit has to be properly sealed
• Secure electrical connection
• Dependable diversion of discharge
• Warranty protection

A well-licensed plumber maintains a proper operation of everything, and this assures you that your house is safe.

Call Lifetime Plumbing Today

Lifetime Plumbing understands how a dry basement is extremely important to the family comfort and safety. We are also there to help you, whether it is installing a new sump pump, servicing an old system, or installing a backup battery.

Get Lifetime Plumbing to defend your basement in addition to what you cherish therein.

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