Say Goodbye to Wet Basements – Sump Pump Installation

You should strongly consider installing a sump pump if your home meets any of these criteria:

• You have a basement or crawlspace that has flooded in the past or consistently feels damp and musty.
• Your property is on a flat or low-lying lot with poor drainage, causing water to pool near your foundation.
• You live in an area with a high water table or that receives significant rainfall or snowmelt, like we often see here in Indiana.
• You plan on finishing your basement. A sump pump is essential, affordable insurance to protect that investment from water damage.

This is the main choice you’ll make, and it depends on your space and needs.

• Submersible Pump: The entire unit sits down inside the sump pit, submerged in water. It’s quieter, out of the way, and generally more powerful. This is the preferred choice for finished basements where aesthetics and noise are a concern.
• Pedestal Pump: Only the base of the pump sits in the pit, while the motor is on a column above the floor. They are easier to access for service and typically less expensive, but they are more visible and slightly louder.

The single biggest reason a sump pump fails when you need it most is a power outage. Heavy thunderstorms that cause flooding are the same storms that knock out electricity. A battery backup is a secondary, smaller pump that sits in the pit alongside your main pump. It automatically kicks on if the power goes out, providing crucial hours of protection until electricity is restored. It’s the ultimate peace of mind for your basement.

A professional installation is more than just dropping a pump in a hole. A proper, long-lasting installation includes several key steps:

• Locating: We find the lowest point of your basement to determine the optimal location for the sump pit.
• Excavating: We carefully break through the concrete floor and dig a pit to the correct size and depth.
• Installing: We place a durable sump liner in the pit, add gravel to help with drainage, and position the primary and backup pumps.
• Plumbing: We run a dedicated discharge pipe to move water safely away from your foundation and install a check valve to prevent water from flowing back into the pit.
• Testing: We connect the system to power, fill the pit with water, and test the pump, float switch, and backup system to ensure everything functions perfectly.

The lifespan of a quality sump pump is typically between 4 and 6 years. Several factors influence this, including the quality of the unit you purchase, how often it has to run, and whether it receives regular maintenance. A pump in a very active pit may last closer to 7 years, while one in a relatively dry basement might last over a decade. Regular testing and cleaning can significantly extend its service life and replacement of the main pump is recommended for units 4 years or older.