{"id":23477,"date":"2021-04-29T15:41:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T22:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=23477"},"modified":"2024-05-29T10:24:45","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T17:24:45","slug":"sump-pump-under-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/sump-pump-under-house\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Sump Pumps Under House: We Answer Your Biggest Questions on This Water Removal System"},"content":{"rendered":"

Water damage is a major issue for homeowners that can severely affect the value of their property. 60% of homes in the U.S.<\/a> experience either flooding or excessive moisture in the basement. If you\u2019ve got pooling water under your house or live in an area that experiences floods, you most likely need a sump pump \u2014 a motor that transfers water away from your home and protects below-grade spaces from water damage.<\/p>\n

If this is a new concept for you, you\u2019ve come to the right place. We consulted an expert plumber to create this sump pump primer, covering purpose, installation, price, maintenance, and necessity. To help you out, HomeLight consulted with an expert plumber and crafted this helpful article that answers the most important sump pump questions you might have.<\/p>\n

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Source: (The EnergySmart Academy \/ Flickr)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is a sump pump?<\/h2>\n

Steve Stalcup, a plumber and licensed contractor from Vacaville, CA, who has more than 40 years of experience handling residential and commercial plumbing projects, defines a sump pump as \u201ca mechanical device operated on electricity and placed where water collects that evacuates the water from your property.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because water flows downhill, it tends to collect at the lowest point of your home. To install a sump pump, you first dig a basin at this point (called a sump) and then place the pump inside of it. Once installed, the sump pump will collect water and transfer it to storm drainage or an area away from the property.<\/p>\n

How can I tell if I need a sump pump?<\/h2>\n

An unmistakable sign that you need a sump pump is if water is visibly pooling at a low point in your home. If your home doesn\u2019t have a concrete basement, you might notice that your crawl space is muddy<\/a> with standing water collecting in various places.<\/p>\n

While you might not immediately feel concerned about a small puddle in your basement, it\u2019s an issue that you should take care of right away. Stalcup shares that \u201cstanding water can cause deterioration of your foundation, damage personal property, encourage mold, and rot any wood that it touches.\u201d<\/p>\n

What kind of sump pump should I buy?<\/h2>\n

There are several types of sump pumps. For instance, some sump pumps run continuously, while others are specially designed to handle sewage or pond water. For residential uses, there are two main types<\/a> of sump pumps to choose from:<\/p>\n