What does a sump pump do?
A sump pump is a device that is used to remove water that has accumulated in a sump basin, usually located in the basement or crawl space of a home. The sump pump is designed to remove excess water from around the foundation of a home, to help prevent water damage and flooding. These sump-pits are usually installed in the floor and have a covering. A permit to install a new sump-pit is required in most places so be sure to check local laws before you begin.
Here's How Sump-Pits work:
Water collects in the sump basin, either from natural sources such as rainwater or from water that has seeped into the basement.
As the water level in the sump basin rises, it activates a float switch or a pressure sensor, which turns on the sump pump.
The sump pump then pumps the water out of the sump basin and away from the foundation of the home, either through a discharge pipe or into a dry well. *Check local laws of where the water is allowed to be discharged as some places do not allow it to flow out to the street.
Once the water level in the sump basin has been reduced to a certain level, the sump pump will turn off until more water accumulates and activates the switch again.
A Final Note About How Sump Pumps Are Effective.
Sump pumps are an important part of a home's flood prevention system, as they can help to protect the home from water damage caused by excess water or flooding. They are especially important in areas that are prone to heavy rainfall or that have high water tables. Ideally they can be connected to the exterior weeping tile via under the footing for more effective drainage around your home. Also, battery back-up system sump pumps are also available which are useful since it is likely to have excess water buildup during a thunderstorm that causes the power to go out for some time.