You’ve heard of sump pumps, but do you know what they actually do and whether or not your home or office needs one? If you don’t have a professionally installed sump pump in your home, you’re probably not as protected from flooding or damaging moisture as you could be. Water damage in any form is costly and inconvenient to repair, but it can also lead to the mold and mildew that poses health risks. If your home or office isn’t equipped with a sump pump, it’s time to consult with a St. Cloud plumbing professional.
Installation
A sump pump is an electric pump that is installed under your basement floor or crawlspace. Sump pumps serve the purpose of collecting rising ground water before it enters your home or office. While you can purchase a sump pump at a hardware mega store and install it yourself, installing it incorrectly or poorly leaves you vulnerable to flooding and moisture. An experienced St. Cloud plumber has the skill, knowledge, and dedication to professionally install your sump pump and help protect your home from flooding for years to come.
How Sump Pumps Work
- Once properly installed, your sump pump will reside in a hole below the main surface of your basement. This hole will be situated in such a way that water will naturally flow into the attendant specially constructed pit that was installed for this purpose. Sump pumps employ an apparatus, which is typically a flotation system, that automatically powers them on and off once ground water reaches a predetermined level. At this point, your sump pump will begin pumping the excess water through a hose that directs it from the pit to the outside of your home where it will flow safely away from your foundation.
Do I Need a Sump Pump?
Even if you live in an older home that has never flooded, you should not take this to mean that you don’t need a sump pump. While not every home needs to be equipped with a sump pump, many should be and aren’t. It’s important to recognize also that your home doesn’t have to flood to suffer from water damage. Excess moisture can lead to damaging mold and mildew that is not only expensive to correct but that can also be damaging to your family’s health. Water in the ground can seep in through foundational cracks and can lead to excess moisture or flooding in your home. A knowledgeable St. Cloud plumber will assess your needs and help you determine if it’s time to have a sump pump professionally installed.
Water Damage: The Statistics
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 29.5 percent of homeowner insurance policy losses related to property damage in 2016 were under the category of water damage and freezing pipes. This accounts for the highest percentage – for the third year in a row – among all categories. Ultimately, water damage, on average, is also among the most costly of all homeowner insurance claims. Because water damage is prevalent and costly, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced St. Cloud plumber about your home or office’s risk of flooding.
Sump Pumps: Repair and Maintenance
If you already have a sump pump that you don’t give much thought to, it’s worth considering the fact that sump pumps – like all other electrical appliances – are subject to wear and tear. If you count on your sump pump to protect your home or office from moisture, flooding, and water damage, you should schedule regular professional maintenance – along with repairs as needed – to help ensure that your sump pump is up to the task of preventing flooding.
Moisture, Mold, and Mildew
Excess moisture in your home or office can lead to malodorous mold and mildew that come with their own difficulties:
- Mold that grows on your walls and/or floors can ultimately damage them.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that mold can cause eye and skin irritations, coughing and/or wheezing, and stuffy noses.
- The CDC finds that people with compromised immune systems or with chronic lung issues are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of mold.
Protect Your Home from Water Damage; Consult with a St. Cloud Plumber Today
The dedicated plumbing professionals at Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical in St. Cloud are here to help you protect your home from the ravages of excess moisture and water damage. Our experienced plumbers have the skill, knowledge, and professional tools to assess your needs and effectively and efficiently install the sump pump that’s right for you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so please contact or call us at 800-570-4328 today.