The float switch is set up so that when water reaches a certain level, the sump pump turns on, and when the water goes back down, the pump shuts off.

There are four types of float switches for sump pumps. The diaphragm switch, vertical action float, tethered float and an electric float switch. The best one out of the four is the vertical action float. This type of float will usually cost less to buy, have a better quality, and hold a longer warranty.

Knowing that one of the most common sump pump problems could be with the float switch, when you purchase a sump pump, you will want to find one that has a float switch that you will be able to replace yourself. This will save you money and time, if a problem occurs in the future, by being able to fix it yourself.

If you choose to go with an electric switch, which cost more, but are great to use, keep in mind that some are made with mercury. If your sump pump is going to be anywhere near water that is also used for drinking water, you will want to buy a steel electric float switch. The steel ones do not have any mercury in them.

A lot of sump pump problems can be fixed by the homeowner without paying someone else to do it. I have listed some common sump pump problems and some tips and/or solutions about them. Trying these tips and solutions can save the homeowner a lot of time, money, and other problems that could arise if the sump pump isn’t maintained regularly. Before doing any type of maintenance to a sump pump, be sure to unplug any electrical cords going to any part of the sump pump.

1). Debris in the sump pit- Always check and make sure that the sump pit is free from debris.

2). “check” valve-Sometimes, the check valve can be improperly installed. The check valves are set up so that when the sump pump shuts off, no water will go back into the sump pump. The check valve’s arrow should not be pointing toward the sump pump.

3). Weep hole- Some pumps will have a weep hole, usually between the sump pump and the check valve. You can clean this weep hole out with a toothpick or other tiny object. Be careful not to break anything into the weep hole.

4). Impeller- Should be a filter, but sometimes things get into it and clog it up. If your sump pump has stopped running, suddenly, or has been making a whining noise, this could be the problem. The impeller should be connected to the sump pump with bolts. This is something that the homeowner can take care of themselves. Unplug the sump pump and unbolt the impeller. Be careful not to drop it or hit it. Once you have it off the pump, you should be able to clean anything out of it. When you put it back together, it is recommended to use new gasket and sealant when putting the new casing onto it. When you put it back together, you can test the pump to see if this solves the problem. Fill the sump pump with water until it turns on and see if it is working properly. If it doesn’t turn on, it may be an electrical problem and you should contact a professional for this. They will be able to tell you if it is that or if you need a new one. It is recommended to just ask them to inspect it first and save some money on the service call. If they say that it can be fixed, ask for a quote and measure the quote to replacing it with a new one. Whichever costs you less will be a better choice. If you get a new one, you will have a whole new warranty with it, too.

5). Sump pump odor- The odor is caused from the sump pump trap. The trap will have water that stay s there, but when it hasn’t had any water for a while, an odor starts to form. This is from a gas that is created from sewage water. You can check on this and keep a little bit of water in it, and you can eliminate the odor by using a bleach-water mixture to cleanse the basin. One part bleach to 5 parts water is good. You can fill the basin until the sump pump turns on, too, and this will help with eliminating the odor better.

6). Power outage- Purchasing a generator is a great idea when you purchase a sump pump. This way, if you lose power while you need your sump pump, you will have a back up source of power for the sump pump. Sometimes, it is better to invest more money now then to have to spend more later on for flooding damages.

Whenever you are in doubt with common sump pump problems, call an expert.

A water powered sump pump is a device which works by transferring water from underneath your home, to outside of your home.
The device is like a vacuum, every time the water pressure reaches a certain limit it triggers the water powered sump pump to turn on and reduce the water back to a safe level which cannot flood your home.

How is a water powered sump pump different from a regular sump pump?

A water powered sump pump is a backup pump for the standard sump pump. A normal sump pump draws water into a pit underneath your home, to prevent the water from rising into your basement. The water powered sump pump, pumps the water back out of the pit and sends the water back outside where its supposed to be.

Do I need a water powered sump pump?

Well if your only using a normal sump pump, yes it is a vital necessity. A normal sump pump only draws the water from flooding your basement by sending it into a pit underneath your home, if weather conditions are severe enough this pit could still flood after so much time, so without a water powered sump pump there would be no real reason to even use a normal sump pump. They do not work without each other.

How do I work it?

You don’t. The water powered sump pump is totally automatic. You will find that the pump has its own float switch and activates once the water level reaches a dangerous level, then pumps it back down to a safe level.

Will it suck up my electric bill?

Fortunately the sump pump does NOT run off electricity or batteries. The sump pump works off pressurization. there is also a adjustable timer in which you can set how long you want the pump to run every time it is activated by the water levels. Normally this time would need to be around 20 to 30 seconds depending on size of the sump pit along with how close your home is to the ground.
The best way to depict how long to set the pump isn’t to guess but to ask either the person who installs it under your home, or a sump pump professional.

How do I choose the right size pump for my home??

This is simple normally there are 3 different types of water powered sump pumps. These types being:
Residential RB- 750- This would be for your average home with a pretty normal amount of sump water needing lifting from under your home.

Residential/ commercial HB – 1000 This would be for homes with high volumes of sump water which are found to constantly flood from underneath.

Commercial CB- 1500 Which would be for buildings not standard to be used on single homes, which have a high volume of water at a frequent rate.

Remember also model types vary from store to store, just because it has a different name doesn’t mean it isn’t for the same level of water. The best way is to document your water problems around your home then ask a professional on what they would advise to use.

A sump pump is a drainage-tile system that is placed under the floor of you’re basement that channels water into a pit.

What does a sump pump do?

Some houses depending on location, climate conditions, and building structure. Have a unavoidable problem with flooding from the bottom up due to natural weather and environment conditions.
A sump pump provides somewhere for that water to go other then into your home.

How do I know if a sump pump is right for me?

If you have a serious or just annoyingly minor problem with water getting into your basement there are certain elements of your home you need to check to first identify if you have a flooding issue due to needing a sump pump, or just a overlooked minor issue that can be prevented by locating an fixing the problem.
So before assuming you need a sump pump check all drainage installed on or around your home.
Unclog all clogged gutters, downspouts dispose of runoff water at least 4 feet away from your homes foundation.
And all soil around the foundation of your home downslides at least 3 feet. *The downslide facing away from your home.
If you have a newer home make sure you don’t already have a sump pump installed.
If you still have a problem then a sump pump is right for you.

How is a sump pump Installed?

Usually a large slab of concrete is removed from the base of your home.
A large percentage of soil is also removed from underneath you’re home.
Then drain tiles, gravel, and a pit is installed in place of the concrete.

How much does it cost?

A professional normally charges around $2500 to $5000 to install a sump pump.
This being a reasonable price in comparison to the loss of value, and measure of damage of your home without the placement of a sump pump.

What are some ways to prepare for a sump pump installation?
Does your waterline run under the floor?
If so where does it run?
You might be able to find the answer to this by inquiring with a local buildings codes office. This being that usually these things are recorded upon installation and stored into files.
Think about how you may prefer your concrete to be removed being different tools may do better or worse jobs. Make inquiries about the tools to the installers being some installers will not use certain types of tools.

Will a sump pump be guaranteed to eliminate the flooding problem?

In most cases yes it will, but it depends on how serious your problem is. A sump pump gives water an alternate place to go other then straight up into your basement.
In extreme conditions this may only lessen the issue to something less threatening for your home.

Take a marble and watch to see which way it rolls. The corner of the wall it rolls toward is the most advantageous place for the pump. Now make sure of three things before you go buy a pump. Number one, where is the power supply in reference to the placement of the pump? It should be within six feet unless you have an extension cord. Is the power supply close to the floor? It should be higher, preferably on the ceiling. An easy way to create a sump pump power supply is to purchase a light fixture add on that has outlets. Screw it into the overhead light and plug your pump into it. The pump will turn on and off with the light switch.

Now you need to know where you are going to put the water. It is probably an infraction of city ordinances to pump the water into the sewer or storm system. Usually you can run a hose from the pump to a place in your yard away from the house. However, you do need a clear path for the hose. A crimped hose will keep the pump from working.

Once you have planned the placement of your basement sump pump and the disposal of the water you are ready to look at how much flooding your basement suffers. Unless your basement develops more than an inch of water, most pumps will be of little benefit to you. In this case, you will save a great deal of money and frustration if you contact a contractor about sealing your basement against water.

The last piece of this frustrating puzzle is determining what kind of basement sump pump you need. There are dozens to choose from and the best choice will depend on water depth, water output, and sturdiness of the pump. Most wet basement sufferers can get a small, submersible pump that puts out up to thirty gallons of water per hour. These usually run just over a hundred dollars. The trick to keeping them running is to keep both the water depth sensor and the intake unit clean. Put the pump in a flat strainer, such as a deep fat frying strainer. The strainer keeps the pump from sitting directly on the floor and still allows water to reach the pump.

A tall basement sump pump is better for water more than a foot deep. However, most of these are not submersible. A float monitors the water depth, as much as three feet, and trips the on off switch when it drops. Again, they are not terribly expensive and any hardware store can help you pick out the best basement sump pump for your needs.

Marine sump pumps work to keep the balance of water ballast in the boat. Placed in the bilge under the water line it pumps the water out through the bilge valve also below the water line. There are many brands and sizes of bilge pumps but they all work in the same fashion, either by engine power or by manual pumping.

Basement sump pumps work to remove as much water as possible from your home. Based on your basement’s water volume you will want either a stand-type sump pump or a submersible sump pump.

A stand-type sump pump works well for large volumes of water. Typically, they are about two and a half feet tall. A float attached to an arm triggers the on/off switch when the water level is high enough to move it. As the water recedes, the float drops until it triggers the on/off switch again. It has to remain in a standing position to work and it will not work if the water is higher than it is tall.

A submersible pump is smaller, usually between a foot and a foot and a half tall. It does not pump as quickly as a stand-type sump pump. This type of sump pump is good for frequent water in the basement. It will usually pump around thirty gallons of water an hour. Since it has a smaller motor than a stand-type pump, you will need to replace it every couple of years if you get water in your basement frequently.

Regardless of which type of sump pump you decide on you will need two things. The first is a power supply that is above your highest water level. This power supply should be within six feet of the placement of your pump. The second thing you will need is a garden hose. Attach the hose to the pump and make sure it has a clear path to the outside. A crimped hose will stop either pump from working.

Ideally, you will probably want one of each. The tall stand-type will draw the water out more quickly, especially nice during heavy rainfall. Once your basement is clear, the smaller pump will keep the water down without needing a high volume of water to draw on.