Environment
2008-03-01 09:38:00
Rainy season is coming...goodbye dry basement?
QUESTION: I don’t know if my sump pump works or not...I rarely ever hear it come on. Should I do anything, or just leave it alone for now?
ANSWER: The research shows that 90 to 95% of all basements will, at some point, have a problem with water penetration, either through cracks in the walls, or coming through cracks in the concrete floors due to the hydrostatic pressure that builds up under the floor from the water tables rising. In recent years, builders of homes with basements have been installing sump pumps with drain tiles to help mitigate some of those problems. A sump pump is installed in the floor of the basement in a concrete or plastic tank that is connected to perforated drain tile that is placed under the floor around the perimeter of the basement at the time of construction. Those drain tiles are also generally installed around the outside of the footing of the basement walls to relieve the pressure of groundwater that could stand against the basement walls and eventually seep through the concrete into the interior of the basement. Any water that comes into the sump pump tank is then automatically pumped to the outside through pvc pipes and carried away from the foundation. The outside dirt work should be graded in such a way as to promote positive drainage of any rainwater runoff from the roof or the yard of the home. Positive drainage means away from the foundation that will allow the water to move completely away from the home’s perimeter. Water will absolutely seep through solid concrete walls if allowed to remain standing against it for long periods of time.
Moisture, water, and humidity can all damage the flooring, drywall, and framing in the basement, and condense inside the walls. It can cost thousands of dollars in repairs to these types of basement structures.
As if that is not bad enough, excessive moisture can also contribute to health problems, when there is an accumulation of mold in an area, mold spores begin to filter through the air and can be extremely hazardous to your health. The wood in your home can be destroyed by fungus and the infestation of wood destroying insects, such as termites, which are attracted to dark moist places where they can get into the wood structure and eat out your studs. So, it is very important to protect your home and the people that live in it. There are some very simple measures you can take to make sure that your home stays dry and healthy. Paying attention to that usually neglected sump pump back there in the furnace room is one of those. Let’s talk about the importance of this piece of important equipment. A sump pump plays a pivotal role in your home’s drainage system. In fact, the effectiveness of your drainage system is wholly dependent on the smooth operation of the sump pump. Sump pump failure can happen, and when it does it leaves your basement area vulnerable to costly damage. The best way to avoid this potential damage is to closely follow the guidelines laid out in the owner’s manual ( if you have one, otherwise seek the services of a plumbing professional ) which provides the necessary instructions for proper pump maintenance and operation. Regardless of what model of sump pump you have, problems associated with pump failure are universal. For this reason, virtually every sump pump owner’s manual offers the same tips for pump failure prevention.
Although any number of problems may arise with your pump, including a jammed or broken control switch or a burned out motor, the first rule of prevention is to keep your pump clean and tested regularly.
Do not ignore the sump pump! Clogging is a major issue in sump pump maintenance. Dirt, debris and a variety of other foreign objects can build up, and this can cause a blockage in the inlet screen.
The screen’s function is to remove small particles of waste along with the water, but it can only handle so much. To properly clean your sump pump, use a pair of rubber gloves to collect all of the visible debris.
Next, take a garden hose and fill the pump tank with water. As you fill the pump tank with water, the float will rise causing the pump to activate again. If your float rises but does not start the system, it is time to consult the troubleshooting section in your manual. You might need a new switch.
The troubleshooting part of your owner’s manual will give you information on what to do in a situation where your pump is not responding as it should. If you have performed the advised cleaning process and your pump still fails to work, you need to check the electrical system.
If your pump is plugged into an outlet much like any other appliance outlet, test that outlet by unplugging your pump and try plugging in a clock or lamp that you know works. Also check that the breaker is on.
If your pump still fails to start, a manual will instruct you to do the following: reset the switch on the motor, check to see that the switch activated by the float is operational, verify that the motor is not burned out from being overused while in the clogged state.
As a last resort, your manual will instruct you to check the float switch by moving it up and down. This will have the effect of cleaning dirty switch contacts and operation should resume immediately. Note that the switch should be replaced frequently.
You may not want to try and repair the damaged parts of the sump pump yourself, unless you know what you’re doing. If you do not have a professional plumber that you normally use, the HVAC professional you have service your heating and air conditioning systems can recommend who to call for the maintenance of your plumbing systems.
The owner’s manual that you get with your sump pump will clearly tell you that your pump will not work effectively unless you perform proper sump pump maintenance. Your sump pump plays an important role in your home, so take the time to read the manual carefully and know how to keep it in good working order.
A backup battery system can protect your home during a power outage. When a powerful storm passes through cities and towns, very often it takes with it the entire neighborhood’s power supply.
In the event of a power outage, people are left with no light, no heat and no running water; but a home is also left with a disabled sump pump. A sump pump is your home’s first line of defense against groundwater that could potentially enter your home and cause destruction.
To ensure that your home is not left vulnerable after a loss of power, install a reliable backup system for your sump pump that will allow it to continue working. A battery-operated backup sump pump system looks a lot like an oversized car battery.
When the power is on in the house, a battery system will automatically charge itself. The backup pump is activated by a sensor that is located slightly higher than the one for the main pump.
In the event of an emergency, when water rises above the level of the backup sensor, the backup system uses its DC power to turn itself on. Depending on the particular model of battery-powered backup system, there is generally enough power to keep your sump pump working for several hours. The batteries come in two different styles: sealed and unsealed.
A sealed battery is considered maintenance-free and usually supplies power for 3 to 3½ hours. An unsealed battery has ports that you can open in order to check the level of the fluid and add distilled water as you see fit.
Typically, an unsealed battery will last for about 7 hours. Another type of backup sump pump is one that is powered by the home’s water system. A piping connection is made from the nearest cold water line to the pump. When the water level in the sump rises and activates the pump control, water pressure from your home’s water system causes the backup pump to spin and remove the ground water.
This type of backup pump requires no electrical circuit from your home or a battery that may lose its charge. As with your primary sump pump, your backup pump must be checked and maintained.
So, get ready for the upcoming rainy season by having your sump pump checked out…waiting till after it fails due to not being properly maintained is not a good idea. More next month…
