Sump Pump Gurus | Mt Laurel

There are three main methods by which water gets into a basement: Seepage through cracks and joints from high water tables or flood plains Flooding through the cracks and joints due to heavy storms Broken pipes

The answer is both yes and no. The tank is always collecting water, but the motor only operates when the water reaches a height where the float turns on.

If your sump pump wont stop running when theres no more water to pump, this can be a significant drain on your system and is putting it through unnecessary wear and tear. It is best to stop it from running as soon as you can. The most common culprit is a stuck float trigger. When the water reaches this float trigger it is connected to a switch that turns the pump on. If the trigger gets stuck it will run continuously, often burning out the pump. This can be caused by debris in the way. Lift the lid and give a quick check to see if you are able to get it back into position. If you are unable to locate the cause give us a call and we will send a technician.

This can be one of the worst-case scenarios you can experience as a homeowner: your sump pump gives out in the middle of serious rainfall and the water starts rising in your basement. Aaaaughh. There are several causes for sump pump failure, but you should have your phone handy and give us a call as soon as possible for service. The first thing you should check is the breaker, at times, the demand can be too high and it can trip a breaker. Second, a clog can prevent water from getting into the pit. Open the lid and check for debris or blockages. If neither of these work, call us for service and we will check it out for you. A great alternative safety net that will avoid this crisis altogether is to install a battery or water powered backup to your sump pump system. This will ensure, even if your home loses power or you trip a breaker, your sump pump will keep on running and keep your basement dry. If you are in an area where you loose power often or a basement flood would be devestating, it is the smart move.

In times where your pump may sit unused for a couple of months, you may want to test your system to insure it is working before you are faced with a big rainfall. Fortunately, theres a very easy way to test your sump pump to make sure it wont let you down when you need it most. Fill a 5-gallon bucket up with water and pour it into the sump pit. As it fills, the float on the sump pump should activate and start the pump. The water should be drained within a few minutes and the pump should shut itself off. If during the testing process something doesnt go right, you should schedule a service with us as soon as possible.

While your typical sump pump will last you around 10 years, there are many factors at hand. Frequency of use, demand when used, the quality of the pump itself and the quality of the power source are just a few. Regular maintenance will increase the lifespan as well. Based on these factors, your sump pump could wear out before the 10-year mark or could potentially run you a few extra years. If you are approaching the 10-year mark, we generally recommend replacement rather than repair. No use putting good money into an old pump.

A properly installed sump pump is generally reliable if regularly tested and maintained. Your plumber can periodically test your pump and backup system and make any necessary repairs or adjustments, including clearing away accumulated debris and other blockages. You should also regularly test your sump pump. You can do this yourself by adding water to the sump basin to trigger the pump. A sump pump system is a critical part of ensuring the safety and comfort of your home. If your basement is always damp or has recurring flooding issues, or if you have a unreliable sump pump, or its discharge target does not meet your communitys current codes, or if you want to add a battery backup system, give the Gurus a call and we will check it out for you.

A Sump Pump Guru will assess your basements waterproofing systems, including perimeter (french) drains, to make certain that unwanted water is properly diverted to the sump pumps collection basin. We excavate a section of your basement (or crawl space) floor for the sump pit (generally place this about eight inches from a foundation wall) and cut a hole through a rim joist to accommodate the discharge pipe. The discharge is routed to an acceptable location at a minimum of 10 feet away from your foundation. This can be above or underground depending on your landscape. Most sump pumps are hardwired into your homes electrical system. Some of our backup systems use your homes pressurized water supply as a power source. This is very effective if you have frequent power outages

In most communities, condensate, sump and downspouts are not allowed to be connected to the sanitary sewer. Your county or municipality charges sewer fees based on the water that enters your house through a metered line. Discharge from your sump pump is not metered and puts additional load on the sewer system and water treatment facilities, so building codes require that the discharge line be connected to a storm sewer. The discharge pipe must empty into a drainage swale, ditch or stream that will carry the water away from your house without creating water problems for your neighbors. Older homes, with existing sump pump systems, may still discharge into sanitary sewers, although municipalities increasingly urge homeowners to reroute their discharge to a storm drain or other approved site.

Your sump pump removes accumulated water from your basement or low points in a garage or building. Sump pumps have two basic components: a reservoir to collect unwanted water (usually a pit or basin cut into the basement floor) and a pump that discharges the water away from your home's foundation. We highly recommend a sump pump for any dwelling that is at risk for regular flooding, is perpetually wet, or where your foundation is below the level of the water table.