FAQ's
Q. Who needs a sump pump?
A. If you have a
basement that floods you need one. A sump pump will keep basement, laundry
areas, and storage rooms from causing water damage to your home.
Q. How do I know what size
sump pump I need?
A. What you need to consider is horsepower not size. The horsepower
requirement for a house is determined by the area of drainage connected
to the sump, the depth to the groundwater, the depth of the basement,
and a few other factors. A 1/3 hp pump is standard for most houses.
Q. What is the most common
reason for sump pump failure?
A. The leading cause for a sump pump to fail tends to be a switching
problem. Sometimes the pump can shift inside the basin causing the float
that operates the switch to lodge against its side. Debris can also be
a factor; it can interfere with the action of the pump switch. It is important
to make sure that your pump switch and float arm assembly move freely.
Q. Can the pump burn out
if the outdoor pipe is frozen shut?
A. In that type of situation it will generally overheat if left in
this condition. Almost all sump pump motors have thermal protection built
in. The thermal relay will reset itself when turned off and allowed to
cool down.
Q. How can I check my sump
pump to see if it is working?
A. First you have to make sure your outlet pipe is not frozen shut
or plugged and directs the water away from the house. Take a look inside
by opening the lid (if it has one) and make sure it is clean inside and
there is no debris causing the pump inlet to be plugged. Next, pour about
five gallons of water into the sump and look for the on/off switch and
listen to the pump. Make the switch turn on and off at least twice.
Q. Where can I get a sump
pump?
A. You can find a sump pump at most plumbing supply stores, or on
the Internet at PumpBiz.
Q.
What about flood insurance programs? What type
of coverage should I have?
A. You do not have
to live in a flood zone to have flood
insurance. Even an inch of water
can create a lot of damage.
Q. What are sump pump float
switches and what do they do?
A. Click here
for an explanation of sump pump float switches.
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