Flooding can become quite the problem during winter, especially for more vulnerable areas like basements and crawlspaces. Chances are you have a sump pump installed in those areas that are liable to flood during the winter. A sump pump isn’t much good if it doesn’t work, though. Read on to find out why sump pump maintenance is so important for this time of year.
Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Sump Pump’
The Importance of Sump Pump Maintenance During Winter
Tuesday, December 27th, 2016How Does a Sump Pump Work?
Monday, February 17th, 2014A sump pump is a device placed in your basement designed to protect your home from flooding. Most of the time, it works during heavy rainstorms, which we get our share of here in Maryland. In the unfortunate event of burst pipes, the sump pump can do the job as well: removing the excess water and giving you a clear basement for the plumber to fix the pipes. But how does a sump pump work?
The sump pump is placed in a sump pit, which is dug at the lowest point in your basement and usually runs about two feet deep. Because it’s at the lowest point in your house, floodwaters will gather there as they leak into the basement. That’s when the sump pump goes to work. A float activator detects the presence of the water and turns on an impeller, which spins around and pushes the water to the sides of the pump. That creates a low-pressure spot at the center of the impeller, which pulls in the water and forces it up through a pipe. The pipe leads outside the basement where it can then safely discharge the water and leave your basement dry and safe.
Sump pumps are designed for use in emergencies, which means that ideally you’ll never need to use it. When the rains fall and the waters rise, it can be worth its weight in gold. It also helps to have in installed by the right plumber, and Gaithersburg MD residents have one with Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We have the expertise to install a sump pump at the ideal spot in your basement, and ensure that it functions exactly as intended when the time comes. If you need specifics on how a sump pump works or want to schedule an installation, give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!