Being a homeowner is rewarding, but it's hard work too. While the decorating is fun and high-impact—who can resist creating their very own farmhouse kitchen?—more often than not, your hard-earned money is going toward things that are, well, not all that pretty. We're talking things like needing a new water heater or HVAC maintenance, getting new carpet installation in rooms no guests will ever see, and having extermination problems (whether you need to get rid of roaches or fleas)—all very important things, but bummers to spend money on nonetheless.
That brings us to another item on the "must have" list—especially if you have a house with a basement or a crawl space. (Sorry to say, this is not the space where we're going to list the virtues of putting in a basement bar.) It's time to talk sump pumps. Are you drawing a blank and wondering, "What is a sump pump, and why do I need a sump pump?" Let's start by saying that a lot of basements flood—especially if they're located below the water table. So a sump pump is designed to pump the water out of there and funnel it away from the house to a storm drain or a well. It also can help with dampness, which is helpful because getting rid of mold is the worst. As anyone who has dealt with a flooded basement can tell you, a sump pump is an essential tool to have around, so the more you know, the better off you are.
How does a sump pump work?
If you live in somewhat newer construction (1987 and later, let's say), your sump pump was probably built in to a pit (unsurprisingly called a "sump pit"). Once the pump starts taking on water, the pump is activated and starts directing the water elsewhere. They're operated by electricity, which can be a bummer if the storm you're experiencing also knocks out your power. Also, because we're talking water and a device that needs electricity, experts advise that you need to have a ground fault circuit interrupter on the outlet to prevent electrocution.
Do all homes have sump pumps?
All homes don't have sump pumps. Simply put, if you don't have a basement, you probably don't need one. But let's say you have a weird crawl space—do you have a sump pump? Maybe. You can find out by walking around your house's exterior. Do you see a pipe that's just jutting out with nothing attached? That might be a discharge pipe that's attached to a sump pump. Sometimes these pipes are buried though, so this isn't a surefire way of finding out if you have one. If you really need to know, it might be smart to call a plumber.
Is it hard to install a sump pump?
Maybe you're a hard-core DIY-er who feels the need to take on the challenges of installing a sump pump. Well...you're in for a long day, my friend. You have to figure out where the water is collecting exactly—and the location needs to be near a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet (mentioned above). If it's not, you're going to need to talk to an electrician.
Then, you're going to need to get those muscles going and dig a pretty deep and wide hole (depth will depend on the size of your sump pump), fill it with gravel, and then get the sump pump put in. Then you're adding more gravel, getting adaptors, installing valves, running PVC through what very well could be a brick wall. Just trust us—it's a lot.
If you're handy, we trust you. If you're not, just hire a professional and have them install it correctly for about $1,000.
How long do sump pumps last?
Sadly, sump pumps don't last forever. The average lifespan is about 10 years, but if it has to work extra hard, or it's not the best model, or even if the electrical source is iffy, it might go downhill faster. Sometimes it's not even the sump pump's fault—it could be installed incorrectly, in the wrong place, and so on. If you start taking on water or you notice stranger than normal noises or dirt accumulation, call a plumber.