A sump pump is the most effective way to combat a basement flood. Installing a sump pump in your basement or crawl space will protect your home from water damage, such as shifting, rot, mold, and mildew.
A sump pump employs a submersible float that fluctuates in tandem with the water table. When flooding provokes the float to rise, a switch is activated, and the pump begins to draw water and flush it through a pipe to the outside.
While it is discouraging to know that you have so many possible issues to deal with as a homeowner, these are among the problems that are usually avoidable. For example, when preparing your home for climate and weather issues, installing a crawl space sump pump is one solution to consider.
What is a crawl space sump pump?
A sump pump is a system that inhibits water from seeping into your crawl space. It consists of a basin and a pump that draws water through a pipe and out of the house. Just a bit of water can cause costly damage, so keep your crawl space and foundation dry.
Sump pump installation can also prevent groundwater from accumulating beneath your crawl space and cause foundation damage. This is because they are frequently built in the lowest part of the crawl space where all of the water innately flows toward them.
Sump Pump Installation Process
- Spot the sump pump installation area: Undoubtedly, the best place to install the sump pump is where water collects.
- Highlight the size of the hole: If you install the sump pump in a crawl space with a concrete floor, use the sump basin to mark a hole size. Turn the basin upside down and use a marker to detect the entrance onto the concrete floor.
- Drill a trench: Use the demolition hammer to break through the concrete speedily. Cut a hole for the sump basin. The hole should be deep enough to encircle the sump basin completely.
- Enclose the sump basin: Enclose the sump basin in filter fabric to keep muddy water sediment from attempting to enter the inlet and blocking up the sump pump.
- Insert the sump basin: Insert the sump basin into the hole. Ensure that the fabric is wrapped around the base and all sides of the basin are inserted into the hole.
- Pour gravel or coarse aggregates: Fill the sump basin with about three inches of gravel. This serves as a foundation for the sump pump, as well as a water collection and filtration system.
- Install the sump pump: Set the sump pump in the basin on top of the concrete slab.
- Install the check valve: Link the pump to the check valve and PVC.
PVC PIPE DIRECTIONS:
- Connect the PVC pipe to an adjacent wall.
- Drill a hole: By using a hole saw, cut a hole through the wall the size of the PVC pipe.
- Run the PVC Outdoor: Insert the PVC pipe through the hole and eventually expand it by several inches.
- Surround the pipe with a silicone material: Fill the area around the pipe with silicone to keep cold air, insects, and rodents out.
- Place the coat over the sump basin.
- To make the area around the top of the sump basin look tidy, mix concrete.
- Connect and test the sump pump: Fill the basin with water and make sure the sump pump is operational.
Here is a complete breakdown of why you should use a sump pump in your crawl space.
Water from Underneath Sources Is Threatening
In case you are in a humid area or a region with a consistent rainy season, you may end up dealing with water under your house. Your home’s crawl space or unfinished basement may be permanently flooded. Though you don’t see any water or it has not yet rained in a while, the ground will be moist whether you notice it or not.
When it rains, the water expands the wet area. A previously damp area is transformed into a pool of water.
During the dry months, the water accumulated may reduce slightly, but there is usually enough water to cause ongoing problems to the crawl space or the basement of your home.
If your area does not receive many spots of rain but still has moisture in your crawl space, inspect your water supply, drain pipes, and any neighboring water source. Water could be entering unexpectedly and causing problems due to leaks.
Water Isn't Just a Discomfort.
While you may believe that water is just an annoying and unfriendly factor in your home, it is more than that. Water issues may be to blame for long-term structural issues and also health issues.
If you have moisture in your crawl space, you also have mold in the area. Mold grows as a result of humidity when there is too much moisture and not enough light. Therefore, it’s the appropriate setting for mold to begin infesting your home. Mold can grow on your crawl space’s joists, piers, and any other hard surface. Mold will begin to eat away at softer materials, such as insulation or even wood if they are present.
Contact us today for waterproofing and sump pump installation services if you want to get rid of the moisture issues.
Why You Should Choose HydroHelp911
A sump pump will help prevent moisture-related issues and water flooding in the basement or the crawl space of your home. Contact waterproofing and structural repair experts at HydroHelp911 for pump installation services in the crawl space to get the best results.
Sump pump installation is necessary if you have a crawl space in Gastonia, NC. Without a sump pump, you risk levying unnecessary repairs that are both inconvenient and costly. You may also be introducing mold that causes or worsens any breathing problems your family already has. Mold, property damage, and pests are no longer a concern in your crawl space, thanks to a sump pump.
We provide a free crawl space inspection in Gastonia, NC. Contact us today!
How do you install a sump pump outside?
Sump pumps can even be used to solve exterior drainage problems. They drain standing water from outdoor areas in the same way that they do from within your home. They can also aim to safeguard your foundation by diverting water away from it. Since the external pump will need to deliver a more extensive area than most basements, a professional waterproofing contractor can dig inlet routes and drainage channels that will serve the sump pit from various locations throughout the surroundings.
Most sump pits have routes that drain into the roadside gutters but check with your local municipality to confirm legality. Because gas and sewer lines must be taken care of, installing an exterior sump pump should always be done by a professional. Exterior sump pumps are best suited for mild winter zones. Water thawing and expanding processes in the system can cause the pump to fail unexpectedly. Without this type of intervention, most sump pumps have a lifespan of about ten years.
Should I install a sump pump on my own?
It is not advised to install a sump pump unless you have prior experience. Hiring a crawl space sump pump installation expert can save you a lot of time and energy.
The sump pump installation team of HydroHelp911 follows all the installation procedure protocols and ensures the work is done efficiently without creating much hassle.
What are some suggestions for crawl space sump pump maintenance?
Sump pumps don’t require much maintenance, but we recommends the following:
- Check that the actual pump does not fall over.
- Pour some water into the sump pit regularly to ensure that the pump is operational.
- Check that the water is draining away from the foundation and isn’t leaking.
- See that the pump is still plugged in and that the cord is still in good working order.
- A grate can be found at the bottom of the submersible pump. Remove the pump from the pit and clean the grate, removing any small stones that may have become lodged.
- Clear the vent hole in the discharge pipe.
Allow HydroHelp911 to install a sump pump in your crawl space to save you time and aggravation. HydroHelp911 is a waterproofing company that specializes in crawl space sump pump installation and other waterproofing services. For a free crawl space inspection in Gastonia, NC, don’t hesitate to contact us.
