In many homes, the sump pump is the primary line of defense that helps to ensure that the basement or crawl space should hopefully never flood. Basements and crawl spaces can be at risk of flooding as a result of them having a concrete foundation that sits below ground level. Despite its strength, you may not realize that concrete is also quite porous. That means you can end up with water seeping through the foundation and into your basement or crawl space when the soil around and especially underneath the foundation is overly waterlogged.
This issue is why you’ll find that many homes in low-lying areas and places that receive heavy rainfall or are otherwise prone to flooding have a sump pump and sump basin in their basement or crawl space. Here, we’ll provide a full overview of the different parts of a sump pump system and everything else you need to know about sump pumps and how they work.
How a Sump Pump Works to Prevent Flooding
One of the most important parts of a sump pump system is the sump pit or basin. The basin is essentially just a large plastic container with holes in the sides. The basin is buried so that the bottom of it typically extends down at least two feet below the foundation floor. The fact that the basin is below the foundation floor means that water in the soil underneath the foundation first starts to fill up the basin instead of just soaking through the concrete and coming up through the floor.
When the basin begins to fill with water, the sump pump’s float or switch triggers the pump to start running. As the pump runs, it pulls water up out of the basin and then pumps it through a series of pipes that lead directly outside the building. In most cases, a sump pump is powerful enough that it can fully drain all of the water out of the basin within a minute or so. Once the basin is dry, the float or switch then signals the pump to shut off. During periods of heavy rainfall or when the ground is overly waterlogged, the pump will then keep turning on again every few minutes as the basin continually refills.
Types of Sump Pump Switches
The switch is an essential part of a sump pump since it is what signals it to run when needed. It also then turns off so that it doesn’t run needlessly and potentially end up burning out. The most common type of switch is a float, which can be either a tethered float switch or a vertical float switch. A tethered float switch is quite basic and just consists of a float that has a steel ball in it. It is attached to the pump with a short piece of line or cord. As the water in the basin rises and lifts up the float, the steel ball moves and triggers an electric switch that turns the pump on.
Vertical float switches are instead mounted on a vertical rod that the switch slides up and down on. When the float slides up far enough, it pushes against a lever that triggers the pump to turn on. One advantage of a vertical float switch is that it can only move up and down, whereas a tethered switch can basically float freely in the water. The issue with the switch only being loosely tethered and floating freely is that it can potentially get pinned against the side of the basin. It will then not move up and down with the water. That’s why vertical switches are considered more fail-proof and also a much better option if you have a smaller or shallower sump basin.
The two other main types of sump pump switches are diaphragm switches and electronic switches, both of which just sit in the bottom of the basin and can’t float. Diaphragm switches are also fairly basic and work by sensing pressure or weight. When the basin begins filling with water, the water eventually creates enough pressure that it causes the diaphragm in the switch to contract. That activates the switch and turns the pump on.
Electronic switches are the most advanced and generally considered to be the most fail-proof option since they don’t really have any moving parts like the other types of switches do. This type of switch just uses electric probes that carry a small electrical current that allows them to detect the presence of water in the basin. When water is present, it creates a circuit between the probes that allows the current to flow with less resistance. A sensor in the switch continually measures the resistance and triggers the pump to run when the electrical resistance changes from what it is normally at.
How to Choose the Right Type of Sump Pump
There are two primary types of sump pumps, submersible and pedestal, and each one has some unique advantages and drawbacks. The main part of a pedestal pump is mounted above the lid on the basin. There is then a long tube connected to the pump that sticks down to the bottom of the basin. Submersible pumps instead rest on the ground at the very bottom of the basin.
Pedestal pumps are typically cheaper, but also not as powerful as submersible pumps. A pedestal pump is a good choice if your home is less prone to flooding and you have a smaller basin. However, if the water needs to travel a longer vertical and/or horizontal distance, you’ll want the added power of a submersible pump.
Submersible pumps tend to have a shorter lifespan since they are prone to rusting as a result of frequently being submerged in water. That said, pedestal pumps can easily end up burning out if they run for a prolonged period due to the motor overheating. This is less of an issue with submersible pumps since the water surrounding the pump as it’s running helps to cool down its motor.
The other thing to consider when choosing between the two is noise level. Submersible pumps are extremely quiet since the water also helps to muffle most of the sound from the motor. That’s why most experts recommend a submersible pump if your sump basin is in the basement so that you don’t get disturbed by the sound of the pump running like you usually would with a pedestal pump.
Understanding the Role of a Sump Pump Alarm
Many sump pump systems nowadays also have an alarm. This is a safety measure that alerts you if the basin starts to fill up and the sump pump either isn’t running or isn’t pumping effectively to prevent the basin from overflowing. The reason this is important is that you’ll know immediately if the basin is at risk of overflowing. That is so that you can try and start bailing the water out and hopefully prevent your home from flooding.
Most sump pump alarms are an electronic sensor that works similarly to an electronic sump pump switch. The sensor is mounted part of the way up on the side of the basin and will immediately trigger the alarm to go off if it gets wet. Sump pump alarms are extremely loud. This means that you’ll usually be able to hear the alarm going off no matter which part of the house you’re in or even when you’re asleep.
Contact Us Today
With 80+ years of expertise, Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric is the company to trust if you need any home services in the Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Evansville or Bowling Green areas. We specialize in sump pump installation and repair along with the full range of other plumbing, drain and sewer services. We’re also the company to turn to for your heating, air conditioning and electrical needs. To schedule an appointment and see what makes us the best home service company in Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois, contact our team today.
