Emergency Plumbing

Sump Pump: What Is It and Do I Need One?

If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you probably have no idea what a sump pump is or what it does. It’s one of those words a lot of people throw around in conversation but, in reality, have no idea how it works. Our Miami-Dade plumbers meet with homeowners all the time who wonder if they need to install a sump pump in their basement. Since they aren’t sure exactly what a sump pump does, they aren’t sure if it’s something they should invest in.

We suggest that anybody living in Florida who has a basement should at least consider having a sump pump installed. When you think about the money it can cost to clean up after a flooded basement, you will probably decide to go ahead and install the pump right away. Here, we’ll explain how a sump pump works and why it may be a good idea to install one in your home. If you still have questions about a pump or any other plumbing problem, feel free to give us a call. We do offer our customers a free estimate so don’t feel like you have to make a decision right away. Let one of our plumbers in Florida come out and explain how the machine works and whether you need one in your home. If the answer is yes, you can count on the team at Hillman Plumbing to keep costs down and install a quality, efficient sump pump today.

What Exactly is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a pump that is installed in your basement. It works like an insurance policy. While you may never experience a flood in your basement, it’s nice to know that your sump pump will prevent the water from destroying your foundation and personal belongings.

The mechanism itself is a small pump that helps remove water and moisture from your basement. It drains the water out of your basement through a filter trap. It also guides the excess water far enough away from your house so that it cannot retreat and enter your basement some other way.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

This pump works in a rather simple way. If water starts to collect near, in, or around your basement, the pump will intercept the water and direct it far away from your home. Since the pump doesn’t allow water to collect and become stagnant in your basement, it helps prevent moisture levels from getting too high. In addition to that, it can help prevent mildew and mold.

When there is a lot of rainfall, it starts to drain to the lowest points near your home. If you happen to live in a flood zone, there’s a good chance that you’ve had flooding in your basement before. Even if you haven’t noticed it happen, it could still be causing problems in your basement. The musky odor of stagnant water can rise into the living areas of your home. Furthermore, if the water is allowed to collect in or around your foundation, it can cause unnecessary cracking. Over time, this can destroy the foundation of your house, requiring tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.

Is There More Than One Kind of Sump Pump?

There are two main types of sump pumps for your home. Your Miami-Dade plumber can explain the various benefits of the two types when they come out and do your free estimate. The first type of pump is a pedestal sump pump. This stands a foot or so above the ground in your basement. The second type is a submersible sump pump. This one is a little bit more expensive than the pedestal type but it does offer greater protection from water penetration.

A Sump Pump Can Benefit You in a Number of Ways

When it comes to installing a sump pump, there are all sorts of benefits. Many of these will stand out to you, especially if you have dealt with a flooded basement before. Some of these benefits include the following:

  • A sump pump can help prevent your basement from flooding
  • Your homeowner’s insurance policy may require that you have a Miami-Dade plumber install a sump pump
  • It can protect your wall covering and paint from cracking and peeling
  • Sump pumps help protect any metal appliances you have from corrosion
  • An efficient sump pump can help solidify the foundation in your house
  • Having a plumber in Florida install a new sump pump will help prevent mold and mildew from building up in your home

Of course, there are other benefits to having a sump pump. It all depends on whether you have a basement and the area in which you live.

Contact a Miami-Dade Plumber to Help Install a New Sump Pump Today

If you think it’s a good idea to install a new pump in your home, you should call a Miami-Dade plumber right away. Regardless of the time of year, you could experience flooding in your basement. It doesn’t take a major storm for water to penetrate your basement. Even a little water can cause serious damage to your foundation. It can also destroy thousands of dollars in personal property. The problem is that you never know when disaster might strike. If you have a pump installed now, you can avoid a major headache down the road. All you have to do is call and talk to one of our expert Miami-Dade plumbers. They can come out and take a look at your property and find out if a new sump pump is a good idea. If you agree to move forward, we can have your pump working in no time. This will help you not only protect your home from flooding, but it can also reduce the level of moisture in your basement. This will keep it from smelling like your grandparents’ basement fifty years ago!

We suggest you contact our office so we can schedule someone to come out and give you a free estimate. Our professional plumbers in Florida can answer any questions you may have about a sump pump or any other plumbing issues you’re experiencing. Once you find out how beneficial it can be to have a sump pump installed in your basement, you’ll see what a wise investment it will be.