How do sump pumps work?

How do sump pumps work?

Ever find yourself wondering, how do sump pumps work? If you're like one of our many customers this question has probably been on your mind!

Contrary to what many homeowners might think, sump pumps don't mitigate floods. They are, however, a great first step toward maintaining a dry and healthy basement. Learn exactly how a sump pump operates to ward off rising ground-water levels inside your home.

The basics

Sump pumps access water from one place — a basement, for example — and pump it to another, typically the home's drainage system. To achieve this, the pump must be powerful enough to move the water, and it must be reliable. For instance, if the pump stops, gets clogged, or doesn't have power to run during heavy rains, a basement will surely fill up with water.

Location

Sump pumps are often installed in the basement in the lowest graded area, over or in a deep hole that has access to ground water.

Drainage

The sump pump moves water out through the local sewage drains. However, some local codes may not regulate sump pump drainage. In this case, the pump may drain the water away from the home, preferably downhill.

The components

The basic sump pump has a "float" that hovers above the water that naturally rests in the hole in which the pump's installed. Once the float reaches a preset level, its rising position activates the sump pump. In this "on" mode, the system's pump starts working to move water from the hole to the drainage pipes and away from your home.

Power

As you may have guessed, a sump pump needs power to run. Most pumps run on electricity, so power outages will affect reliability. Ideally, homeowners should also install a battery-powered backup system to ensure that the pump will run even without power.

An experienced and licensed plumber can advise you about primary and backup sump pumps for your home, and will ensure that they're installed correctly.

Now the next time someone asks you how do sump pumps work, you'll be able to give them the 411!

Friendly and punctual

Jason has come to my house three times. Each time he was friendly, punctual, and very clear about the cost of repairs and what kind of work was required. At every step he kept me informed. Outstanding service. Would definitely call on Rooterplus again.

Chris S.

7/21/22

Came through for me I needed to service my septic tank prior to sodding my backyard. I called 2 other companies prior to RooterPLUS, Both showed up with equipment that couldn't do the job. With only a couple day window available, RooterPLUS came through for me the next morning with the right...

Came through for me

I needed to service my septic tank prior to sodding my backyard. I called 2 other companies prior to RooterPLUS, Both showed up with equipment that couldn't do the job. With only a couple day window available, RooterPLUS came through for me the next morning with the right equipment and a professional and pleasant crew.

Doc and Kory assessed the situation and got right to work. They knew exactly what to do and completed the task perfectly. They explained everything throughout the process and pointed out potential issues as they worked. Everything was done to my complete satisfaction and I'll definitely use RooterPLUS in the future for my septic tank needs.


Jim P.

9/7/21

Amazing Experience

From Customer service (Amanda) to plumber (Kurt) my experience was amazing! Thank you for helping me to solve my issue quickly and affordably. I will recommend this company to anyone needing a plumber in the future!

Laura A.

9/23/20

Neighborhood rockstars We had an issue in my neighborhood where a water main pipe burst, leaving a giant mess of a leak spewing into the street. We called numerous plumbing companies who all said they couldn't get out in a timely manner. RooterPlus! said no problem, we'll be out asap.Josh...

Neighborhood rockstars

We had an issue in my neighborhood where a water main pipe burst, leaving a giant mess of a leak spewing into the street. We called numerous plumbing companies who all said they couldn't get out in a timely manner. RooterPlus! said no problem, we'll be out asap.Josh came out, assessed the situation and said he had to go get some more supplies. He came back with the necessary supplies and got to work. And he worked and worked and worked from 6pm until 4:30 am! He had to call in reinforcements (Josh 2) and they worked hard as a team to repair the issue. Then they came back out only 5 hours later to put the finishing touches on the job.I think I speak for the entire neighborhood when we say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for being absolute rockstars and getting our neighborhood back up and running.


Matt S.

7/14/22

Contact Us Today!

770-888-1931