Living in the Pacific Northwest, we experience more than our fair share of downpours throughout the year. It’s one of the reasons everything is so green out here. But there are times when our crawl spaces, parking lots, and even playgrounds or parks end up with a foot or more of standing water.
Water under your home has nowhere to go and can cause mold and even affect the floor joists. As an apartment manager, a flooded parking lot can adversely affect your tenants. As a business owner, a foot or two of standing water could make it hard for customers to reach you.
In commercial, manufacturing, or industrial facilities, a broken water main can bring work to a standstill. Not only could it affect the machinery or inventory, but standing water on a concrete floor can be an incredible safety hazard. If the basement floor is flooded, it may cause damage to appliances critical to the infrastructure of your plant.
Sump pumps run on either electricity or gas. Many will have a battery backup in case a storm knocks out power or the pump runs out of gas. After a storm, it’s a good idea to inspect your basement to make sure your sump pump is doing its job.
Sump pump installation
A well-placed sump pump can remove all of that water in no time flat and keep the flooding from happening in the first place. Once the water level reaches a certain point, a sump pump will automatically switch on and remove the water. As the water subsides, the sump will then turn off.
There are some considerations when choosing your type of sump pump system. How much water you’re dealing with, how often you’re dealing with flooding, the placement, and so on. You want to make sure the pump can handle the volume of water flow but you also don’t want to spend more money than you have to.
Generally speaking, sump pumps are made from either cast iron or plastic. Cast iron will last much longer obviously but will also cost more. If your water problems are sporadic, minimal, and occur in different areas, you could probably get away with a small, portable model.
Pedestal Sump Pumps
Placed on top of the floor, pedestal pumps are easier to move, maintain, and service. They aren’t as heavy-duty as submersible pumps because they don’t need to be. But they won’t channel water away from the home or business as fast as a submersible. If you need to replace your sump pump, pedestals are easier to deal with.
Submersible Sump Pumps
As the name suggests, these pumps need to be installed below the surface of the floor, usually in a sump pit or basin. If you experience a lot of basement flooding, this option makes sense because it removes water much faster than a pedestal. They require more maintenance because they are submerged in the water much longer than pedestal pumps.
Installing a sump is just one part of the equation. No matter what kind of sump pump you’re using, you’ll need to figure out where the discharge pipe will lead. If your basement has a utility sink or something similar, that’s an easy solution. Otherwise, you may need to hire a plumber to design a discharge route.
These pipes can be made of almost any material. PVC pipe is inexpensive, copper is long-lasting, and even PEX piping could be used because of its versatility. Will your discharge pipe ever be buried underground? Make sure to take that into consideration – a qualified plumbing contractor should be able to answer all of your questions.
Work With Experienced Professionals
If flooding is causing problems at your home or commercial property, a sump pump is a great way to add an extra layer of protection for your investment. However, they’re only as good as their installation. Incorrect plumbing could overload the pump and leaks along the discharge pipe will defeat the entire purpose.
Meticulous Plumbing has been installing sump pumps in the Portland area for decades and can design the perfect sump system for your needs. We work with residential, commercial, and industrial applications – no job is too big or too small. If you’re looking to add a sump pump to your building, give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
