Denver can experience heavy rainfall throughout the year, leading to flooding and water damage. The right sump pump can remove water to help protect your home and belongings. There are different types that a professional can install, and you want to explore them all to determine which one is the best fit for your house before making an investment.
How a Sump Pump Works
Before you can fully understand the benefits of a specific type of sump pump, it’s important to know how these devices work.
A sump pump is installed to reduce the risk of flooding in your home. As water accumulates underneath areas like your basement, the pump will remove the water that builds up in your sump pit. Having a sump pump can be a vital element in protecting your home.
During heavy rainfall, water starts to build up in your sump pit, and this triggers a sensor or float switch once the water gets to a certain level. This activates the pump, and it starts to move the water out of the pit. It accomplishes this by utilizing centrifugal force, which pushes the water into the system’s discharge pipe.
The discharge pipes are installed away from your home so that the discharged water cannot get back in once the pump is no longer operating. After the water decreases to a certain level, the sensor or float switch will tell it to turn off automatically. If the water rises again, the process starts over to remove it.
Types of Sump Pumps
The ideal type of sump pump will depend on your home and its individual needs. There are four primary types that you can discuss with a professional.
Submersible Sump Pumps
With this type of sump pump, there is a sump pit that the unit is installed into. You can submerge this equipment in water without causing any issues with its function. If you are looking for a sump pump that is more discreet and out of view, this is an ideal choice. You might also consider this type of product if you have a deep sump pit. You can use it for heavy-duty applications due to its higher pumping capacities.
Compared to the pedestal type, the submersible units tend to be more powerful. Since you are placing them under water, they also tend to experience clogs less often than other types. An added bonus is that this type of unit operates quieter than other types of units because it is submerged in the water.
Water Powered Sump Pumps
This is a type of sump pump that you do not hear about all that often. It can be a good option for areas where power outages and flooding often go together. Instead of requiring electricity for the pump to run, this unit uses your municipal water source and its pressure to power the pump. It sucks out excess water using a vacuum.
There is no motor with this type of pump. Because of this, the components tend to last a long time, as you don’t have to worry about water damage to engine parts.
Battery Backup Sump Pumps
If your concern is flooding caused by a power outage shutting down your sump pump, this is the type of sump pump that you want to consider. Many people use them along with a traditional sump pump. For example, while the power is on, your traditional sump pump goes to work to remove excess water. Then, if the power fails, your battery backup sump pump will remove the excess water. The battery backup will automatically activate when the traditional pump turns off, so there is no interruption in pumping out excess water.
You can find this type of sump pump in both pedestal and submersible configurations. It is reliable, and with proper installation, you do not have to worry about it coming on automatically. This is a good choice if you are not home when severe weather arrives. It will function without you needing to turn it on manually.
Pedestal Sump Pumps
This type of sump pump is installed over the sump pit, so it is not submerged. There is a pedestal that the motor mounts onto. Since there is no submersion, this sump pump type is easier when it comes to repairs and maintenance. Compared to a submersible pump, they are not as powerful, but you can use them in a sump pit that is not very deep. The motor is not in water, so this helps to prolong its lifespan.
Combination Sump Pumps
If you are looking for a sump pump that provides total protection, you might consider a combination sump pump. This type of pump has a primary unit and will be either a submersible type or a pedestal device. Then, there is also a battery backup sump pump as part of the system.
Since both types of pumps are part of this system, you get the benefits of both of them. The battery backup component works during a power outage and will also kick on if the primary pump stops working. This ensures that no matter what, you have a sump pump working to remove excess water to prevent flooding in your home.
Why Consider a Sump Pump Upgrade?
Any time there is excess water in your home, this can cause various types of damage. Since basements and crawlspaces in Denver homes have the potential to flood relatively easily, it is ideal to have a sump pump to prevent this scenario.
When water is allowed to accumulate, it puts your home at risk for the growth of mildew and mold. Since these pose a health risk to the people and pets in the home, it is imperative to do what you can to prevent it.
Any belongings in your basement could sustain damage if the area floods. Preventing flooding will also help reduce the risk of damage to your floors, walls, and foundation. Should flooding damage your foundation or other structural elements, this could make your home uninhabitable, so it is crucial to protect these elements of your house.
These pumps can reduce the electrical fire risk. When water is not able to accumulate in your crawlspace or basement, you do not have to worry about water affecting the electrical items in these areas, which decreases the chance of a related electrical fire.
A sump pump can also help increase your home’s value since it is a way to further protect it against weather-related damage. This extra protection could shield you from needing to hire professionals to perform costly repairs.
Sump Pump Professionals in Denver
Our team at High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you determine the best sump pump style for your home. We also offer an array of other plumbing services to help keep your home in order, such as plumbing repairs, water heater maintenance and installation, sewer maintenance, and drain cleaning.
Contact High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Denver today to learn more about the different types of sump pumps that are available.
