A quality, properly functioning sump pump can be an important investment for keeping your home dry. Our experienced and trained professionals can assess your needs and recommend and install the best pump for you. We recommend for most homes, the cast iron sump pump which utilizes stainless steel screws in its construction. It is also fitted with a two pole float operated mechanical switch, which isolates both poles from the electricity. Operating at 115 volts it will pump up to 3,420 gallons per hour with a five meter head, you get 3,060 gallons per hour at a ten meter head and 2,580 gallons per hour at fifteen meter head.
Cast Iron Sump Pumps are quite heavy for the size. This will allow the sump pump to stand easily at the bottom of the liquids in the sump or pit you choose to use it in. Quiet check valves are available with all sump pump installations. Are you are tired of noise stemming from your sump pump check valve? The solution is simple, "Smart" check valve innovative quiet design eliminates water hammer noise. "Smart" check valves provide reliable back-flow prevention without the inline restriction of a conventional center poppet check valve.
The "Smart" check valve remains in the closed position to 2 PSI, opening fully when 2 PSI line pressure is exceeded. The "Smart" check valve is equipped with a spring-loaded gate mechanism, allowing the valve to be installed in virtually any orientation. All valves are clear UV stabilized PVC, with Slip x Slip connections.
Why does a sump pump fail?
Power Failure:
In most cases, a sump pump fails because of a loss of power. There are several reasons you could lose power. There could be a storm causing a local power outage, a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse, a damaged power feed line or even something as simple as an unplugged pump. In some cases, a wearing sump pump will cause the electrical breaker to trip.
Mechanical Failure:
Another common reason for sump pump failure is a mechanical problem, such as a faulty part or an aging pump. The pump may be burned out or jammed with mud or a stone. It could have a broken impeller, drive shaft or the float switch could be stuck or broken. A back up pump isn't going to protect you from mechanical failure so it is wise to purchase a separate alarm that will alert you to a system failure in addition to your backup pump.
Most mechanical problems with the sump pump are float related. If the pump does not start, the float may be hanging on something in the tank. A simple repositioning of the pump should solve the problem. If this fails, the float may need replacement. If the pump fails to shut off when the water level drops to the bottom of the sump tank, this indicates you need a new float.
Pump Overload:
Pump overload usually occurs when an excess of water flows into the sump pump. When this happens the pump is unable to handle all of the incoming water and it malfunctions. Also, a pump will overload if foreign matter becomes trapped, partially clogging the pump. This will cause the motor to start to run slower and eventually the sump pump will stop working.
Sump Pump Tips:
Sump pumps are your first line of defense to keep water out of your basement they also protect your foundation and the structural integrity of your house.
By the time you look to call on the pump, it might not have run for some time. So you need to plan ahead and ensure your pump will run when needed and not have you arriving home to a basement full of water.
The average life of a sump pump is about 7 years, the average life of the sump pump switch is about 4 years. Sump pump maintenance will take no more than around 10 minutes to complete and you will need to check the operation of your sump pump and ensure it is there for you whenever you need it.
Keep a cover over the sump pump basin. This will keep out animals and children as well as ensuring you do not have any debris falling into the basin causing the float switch not to work properly. A cover will also reduce any odors.
When to consider a battery backup system?
Consider a Backup if your home experiences a power outage for an extended period. If your primary sump pump fails, a battery backup sump pump or one of many water powered backup systems (which use your home's water supply pressure to remove water from the sump pump pit) will protect your basement from filling with water.
Call us at 708-274-7467 or contact us for your free quote.