SUMP PUMP

[russell]

I am currently purchasing a 10 year old home. There is a sump pump in the basement. I have never owned a home with a sump pump. Is it common to have a pump in the basement or does this indicate a problem. Does a sump pump run constantly or only during a problem.Is there much preventive maintenance with a sump pump? I will appreciate any respones or advise.

[PAUL DUNHAM]

Many state codes require a sump pump in a basement. As long as the basement is dry, thats what you want. Maintenance is minimal for most residential pumps – keep the sump pit clean and the float switch free to operate ( if you have a mechanical switch) The switch is automatic when a certain amount of water is in the pit.

[PAUL DUNHAM]

: : Many state codes require a sump pump in a basement. As long as the basement is dry, thats what you want. Maintenance is minimal for most residential pumps – keep the sump pit clean and the float switch free to operate ( if you have a mechanical switch) The switch is automatic when a certain amount of water is in the pit.

[PAUL DUNHAM]

: : If the mechanical switch that turns the pump on fails, some finished basements would be ruined. Is there any backup switch, or alarm that one can purchase in the hardware stores that will alarm if the level switch fails and water starts overflowing into the basement?

[PAUL DUNHAM]

Unless the pump is servicing a perimeter drain tile system, the only water that the pump will discharge is what is used in the basement area so a pump failure would not be a problem as long as the source of the water were shut off. If it does service a drain tile system and the basement is finished, a alarm system will only tell you that is is too late to do anything. In that case a battery powered backup system will provide protection and at the very least give you time to provide a more permanent solution such as a new pump. : I am currently purchasing a 10 year old home. There is a sump pump in the basement. I have never owned a home with a sump pump. Is it common to have a pump in the basement or does this indicate a problem. Does a sump pump run constantly or only during a problem.Is there much preventive maintenance with a sump pump? I will appreciate any respones or advise.

[PAUL DUNHAM]

My sump pump in my brand new house has been going *continuously*. It had rained a lot yesterday, and a few sprinkles today, but I have not heard it shut off the entire time. Is that normal? Or should I be doing something about it?

[PAUL DUNHAM]

: : : : Many state codes require a sump pump in a basement. As long as the basement is dry, thats what you want. Maintenance is minimal for most residential pumps – keep the sump pit clean and the float switch free to operate ( if you have a mechanical switch) The switch is automatic when a certain amount of water is in the pit.I highly recommend that if you have anything stored in that basement or have any areas that are finished, you look into a backup sump pump system. There are only a few on the market that are reliable and reasonable. A new one is coming out in the next few weeks, or even days, according to the developer, who is up in Buffalo, NY. Look for Web Site: http://www.basepump.comA water alarm is ALWAYS a great idea in any case. Usually can be purchased at any plumbing supply, hardware, or home center very inexpensively.

[PAUL DUNHAM]

: My sump pump in my brand new house has been going : *continuously*. It had rained a lot yesterday, and a : few sprinkles today, but I have not heard it shut off the : entire time. : Is that normal? Or should I be doing something about it?I just became aware of this bulletin board. It is not normal for the pump to run constantly unless the water is coming in constantly. If it is, then you have a much more serious problem than just a defective pump or switch. Is the water flow constant, or does the pit run dry and the pump keeps going? It will burn out very quickly if it is allowed to run dry too long. I recommend a backup system too, once you figure out what is going wrong with the primary pump. See: http://www.basepump.com

[PAUL DUNHAM]

I have recently had water come in our basement. It flooded our apartment downstairs and caused some damage. The plumber that helped out has suggested a sump pump. I have noticed that since I have disconnected our down spout from our gutters there hasnt been any water at all come in. The water came in after a number of days of heavy rain. It came in where the tub in the basement apartment was installed. It would seem the installer smashed a hole in the concrete floor and did not repair it, leaving just cement and gravel in the hole. This is the area where the water came in. Could you give me any ideas? First if you think I need them and second how it should be installed. I wont be installing it but I want an idea how it should be installed so no short cuts are taken. I will be installing new gutters in the spring that will run from the front of the house to the back so that the run off will naturally run away from the house once it comes down the down spout.

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