What Does a Sump Pump Do for My Home?

Sump pumps are often your first and last defense when it comes to keeping your basement dry. They work best when coupled with an interior drainage system and do the heavy lifting in effectively removing any leaking water from your basement. 

The Sump Pump Basics 

Sump pumps prove effective in homes that need localized waterproofing. These pumps direct water back out of your home as it comes indoors. Instead of allowing that water to settle in the ground again, however, a pump will contain the water and release it at a more controlled rate. This means you won’t have to overwork the pump you’re using by having it remove the same burst of water from your home over and over again. 

These pumps, unfortunately, cannot cover the whole of your basement without help. As mentioned, sump pumps are designed for localized care. If you’re concerned about widespread flooding or seepage in your basement, you can talk with area experts about installing an interior drain. Alternatively, you can pair a sump pump with other basement waterproofing measures for improved home protection. 

Sump Pump Accessories 

Sump pumps are more than just their base unit. Depending on your interests, you may be able to bring home a sump pump that is rife with extra goodies. These can include: 

• Alarms – If your pump fails during a storm or flood, attached alarms will go off and let you know you’ll need to invest in repairs ASAP. 
• Sump Liners – Sump pump liners help keep the inner workings of your sump pump secure, even after long-term exposure to high levels of moisture or excessive standing water. 
• Airtight Lids – An airtight sump pump prevents any debris that the pump catches from making its way throughout the rest of your home. 
• Sump Stands – Sump pump stands separate your pump from its liner. This means the debris that your sump pump catches won’t muck up the bells and whistles needed to keep your pump functional. 
• FreezeGuard™ Discharge Line Protections – Come the coldest months of the year, your sump pump’s exterior discharge lines may start to freeze. FreezeGuard™ discharge line attachments allow the sump pump to continue pumping water out as it normally would but give this water an alternative exit of the line is frozen or blocked.  

You’ll have the opportunity to decide which, if any, of these accessories and others you’re interested in at the time you have your sump pump installed or upon inspecting it with an area professional. You can also discuss the merits of installing a battery backup sump pump with a contractor in your area.