{"id":4047,"date":"2014-03-07T11:00:46","date_gmt":"2014-03-07T16:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=4047"},"modified":"2016-02-26T15:14:05","modified_gmt":"2016-02-26T20:14:05","slug":"combat-basement-flooding-with-a-sump-pump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/combat-basement-flooding-with-a-sump-pump\/","title":{"rendered":"Combat Basement Flooding with a Sump Pump"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If the melting snow and heavy rains of the upcoming spring thaw have you concerned about the possibilities of a wet or flooded basement, it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s time to start thinking about installing a <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/search.aspx?searchterm=sump+pump');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/search.aspx?searchterm=sump+pump\" target=\"_blank\">sump pump<\/a><\/strong> system before the ground becomes over saturated, especially if your lot has poor drainage and the water table around the house is high.<a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-172-water-flood-devices.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-172-water-flood-devices.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4052\" style=\"margin: 10px;\" title=\"Spring thaws and rain often lead to basement flooding.\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/backyardflood.jpg\" alt=\"A sump pump system can prevent basement flooding.\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em>Reasons for Wet Basements<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to wet weather, there are several common causes for a wet basement, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blocked gutters<\/li>\n<li>Clogged downspouts<\/li>\n<li>Blocked sewage connections<\/li>\n<li>Cracks in the floor and walls of your basement<\/li>\n<li>Broken washing machine hoses<\/li>\n<li>Old, leaky hot water heaters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The first step to floodproofing your home is inspect it for any of these issues and make the necessary repairs to minimize the chances of future floods. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Some of these chores, like <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8554-vertalok-vgs722-gutter-cleaning-system.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8554-vertalok-vgs722-gutter-cleaning-system.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">cleaning the gutters<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-7106-watts-floodsafe-60-in-washing-machine-connector-2-pack.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-7106-watts-floodsafe-60-in-washing-machine-connector-2-pack.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">replacing washing machine hoses<\/a><\/strong>, you can easily do yourself.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Other jobs may require a professional.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em>When Does Your Home Need a Sump Pump?<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/m-405-abs-pumps-ltd.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/m-405-abs-pumps-ltd.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\" title=\"Basements that flood occasionally and feel damp and smell musty probably need a sump pump.\" src=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/images\/Product\/medium\/5970.jpg\" alt=\"ABS Robusta Sump Pump\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a>If the water table around your home is high or your lot has poor drainage, you may need to install a floodproofing system that includes a\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/search.aspx?searchterm=sump+pump');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/search.aspx?searchterm=sump+pump\" target=\"_blank\">sump pump<\/a><\/strong>. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Basements that flood occasionally and feel damp and smell musty probably need a sump pump.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 In addition to preventing a flood, a sump pump will make your basement a healthier place and protect your possessions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em>How a Sump Pump Works<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. Its job is to help keep the area under the building dry and to prevent it from flood\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00ading.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Sump pumps are installed in specially constructed sump pits.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Water enters the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil. The sump pump&#8217;s job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building so the basement or crawlspace stays dry.<\/p>\n<p>Sump pumps range in horsepower and the pumping capacity varies accordingly.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Generally speaking, the higher the horsepower, the more gallons per hour it will pump.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/m-405-abs-pumps-ltd.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/m-405-abs-pumps-ltd.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">ABS Robusta sump pumps<\/a><\/strong>, for instance, come in \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00bc hp, \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 hp and \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00bd hp. A\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-172-water-flood-devices.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-172-water-flood-devices.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>sump pump distributo<\/strong>r<\/a>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0or manufacturer can help you select the right size pump for your basement.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em>Why You Need to Alarm Your Sump Pump<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-7055-floodfree-pump-control-and-alarm.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-7055-floodfree-pump-control-and-alarm.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" title=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/images\/Product\/medium\/7055.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/images\/Product\/medium\/7055.jpg\" alt=\"Floodfree Pump Control and Alarm\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a>If there\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s a power outage or a mechanical failure, your sump pump won\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t pump and your basement will be at risk of flooding.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 That\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s why it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s a good idea to include a sump pump alarm in your system.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 A sump pump alarm will warn you that sump pump is not functioning and the water level in the sump pit is rising, allowing you time to intervene before your basement floods.<\/p>\n<p>You can choose a \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201clocal\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d sump pump alarm that will sound a very loud audible alert or a \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cremote monitoring\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d sump pump alarm that will notify you by phone, email or text message.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-7055-floodfree-pump-control-and-alarm.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-7055-floodfree-pump-control-and-alarm.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Floodfree FF-98<\/a><\/strong> and the <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-6179-reliance-controls-sump-pump-alarm-and-flood-alert.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-6179-reliance-controls-sump-pump-alarm-and-flood-alert.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Reliance Controls THP205<\/a><\/strong> are examples of local alarms. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0A <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-6268-sensaphone-400-cottagesitter-remote-monitor-wtemp-ctrl-fgd-0400.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-6268-sensaphone-400-cottagesitter-remote-monitor-wtemp-ctrl-fgd-0400.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Sensaphone 400<\/a><\/strong> is an example of a remote monitoring system alarm.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Hook the Sensaphone up to a <a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-6068-sumpbobber-waterflood-sensor.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-6068-sumpbobber-waterflood-sensor.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">sump bobber<\/a> (a simple float switch designed to monitor the water level in a sump pump well) and it will call you on the phone when your sump pump isn\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t working. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t have a landline phone at your location or would rather receive text message alerts, the <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8017-pumpalarm-cellular-water-alarm.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8017-pumpalarm-cellular-water-alarm.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">PumpAlarm Cellular Water Alarm<\/a><\/strong> is a very affordable alarm that communicates via a cellular connection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><em>Next, Add Back Up Power <\/em><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to a sump pump alarm, a good sump pump installation will include some kind of backup plan in case the primary unit fails or if there\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s a power outage. Options include a battery backup to the primary unit, a secondary battery-powered backup sump pump, or a standby emergency generator that will turn on automatically.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8205-diy-cellular-alarm-for-homes.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8205-diy-cellular-alarm-for-homes.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" title=\"The DIY Cellular Alarm sends text alerts for low\/high temps, flooding, power outages, or other environmental and security conditions. \" src=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/images\/Product\/medium\/8205.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Cellular Alarm for Homes\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a>Other Ways to Prevent Basement Floods<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><em><b>Automatic Water Shutoff Valves<\/b><\/em> &#8212; Washing machine and hot water heater leaks are the source of many basement floods. An automatic water shut off valve\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0is an easy and affordable way to prevent water damage caused by these and other appliances. The <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-262-floodstop-shutoff-valves.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-262-floodstop-shutoff-valves.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">FloodStop<\/a><\/strong> water leak detection device, for example, immediately turns off the hot and cold water supply to the washing machine when sensors detect a water leak.<\/p>\n<p><b><em>Simple Water Alarms<\/em><\/b> &#8212; A water alarm and flood sensors placed on the basement floor will alert you of water presence\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0before\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0extensive damage is done.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 There are a range of affordable, <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-194-simple-water-alarms.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/c-194-simple-water-alarms.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">simple\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0water alarms<\/a><\/strong> available\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0that will alert you via an\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0audible signal as well as more sophisticated alarming systems like the <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8205-diy-cellular-alarm-for-homes.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/p-8205-diy-cellular-alarm-for-homes.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">DIY Cellular Alarm for Homes<\/a><\/strong> that sends\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0text messages to up to three cell phone numbers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em>Summary<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>The best basement flood protection begins with eliminating potential causes around the house, like clogged gutters and cracked basement walls, and installing a <strong><a onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('\/outgoing\/www.diycontrols.com\/m-405-abs-pumps-ltd.aspx');\"  href=\"http:\/\/www.diycontrols.com\/m-405-abs-pumps-ltd.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">sump pump system<\/a><\/strong> to prevent water from collecting in the basement.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Automatic shut off valves, water alarms and flood sensors are your next line of defense.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 In just hours, a basement flood can do a lot of damage to furniture, walls, floors, appliances and furnaces, so it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s worth investing in this type of equipment to protect your home and belongings.<\/p>\n<p><b>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If the melting snow and heavy rains of the upcoming spring thaw have you concerned about the possibilities of a wet or flooded basement, it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s time to start thinking about installing a sump pump system before the ground becomes over saturated, especially if your lot&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/combat-basement-flooding-with-a-sump-pump\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[474,562,219,29,498,499,554,198,30,560,561],"class_list":["post-4047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flood-intervention","tag-automatic-water-shutoff-hoses","tag-diy-cellular-alarm-for-homes","tag-flood-alarm","tag-flood-sensors","tag-gutter-cleaning-system","tag-gutter-cleaning-tools","tag-pitboss-cellular-sump-pump-alarm","tag-sensaphone-400","tag-sump-pump","tag-sump-pump-alarm","tag-washing-machine-hoses","clearfix"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4047"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6959,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4047\/revisions\/6959"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}