Category Archives: News

  • May 16, 2019
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Technician installing sump pump

How Do Sump Pumps Work?

Category : Basement Care , News

You’ve probably heard of sump pumps before. They are often mentioned by people after severe flooding or heavy storms. It’s unusual that you will hear people moaning about them, instead you will hear people talking about how the sump pump has saved their home, ensuring that they aren’t knee deep in water and their home is flood free.

What Is A Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a pump that is used to remove water that accumulates in a water-collecting sump basin and is commonly found in the basement of homes.

Water entering a home, due to heavy rain or high water table levels, is collected through the perimeter drains of a basement waterproofing system. The drains will funnel the water into the sump basin and the pump will then remove the collected water to the nearest drainage point.

The job of a sump pump is to direct water away from the house, to a place where it is no longer problematic, because of this, the pump will often be used in the basement of homes or areas where the water table is above the foundation level.

Basement sump pump

It is very easy for groundwater to collect in basements and crawl spaces. It will rise through cracks in your foundations and penetrate through your walls, often during long periods of rain or heavy storms.

If there is a possibility of flooding in your home, it is recommended that you have a sump pump installed as this will collect the water and redirect it away from your home, protecting your home from flooding and any waterproofing system from damage.

How Much Does It Cost For A Sump Pump To Be Installed?

It can cost upto £600 plus VAT for a sump pump to be installed in an average domestic property. However this is dependent on whether any additional pipework is required. If larger pumps or foul pumps are required, then the cost can be higher.

Here at Basement Sump and Pump, as a trusted sump pump installation company, we install numerous sump pumps every year. Around 80% of the installations we complete will cost between £400 and £500 plus VAT. However, if a replacement sump is required it will be double this cost.

We would be happy to arrange for one of our sump pump specialists to visit your home and give you a free, no obligation quote for a sump pump to be installed in your property.

How Does A Sump Pump Work?

A sump pump will be installed in the lowest part of your basement where a hole around 2 feet deep and 18 inches across is cut into your concrete floor and the pump is placed in the sump pit, also known as a sump basin. The water will flow into the sump pit where it will be collected until the pump is activated.

A sump pump is activated by a float, similar the one in your toilet tank, when the float rises to a set level the pump will start and the water will be pumped out of the sump basin. The water is then taken by the pipes out of the home via a drainage point and safely discarded several feet away from the foundation of the property.

cleaned-sump-unit

Sump pumps work really well when there is heavy rainfall, strong storms or rapidly melting snow. Instead of these weather elements flooding your home, they will be collected in the sump pit and pumped to a safe drainage area.

The Types of Sump Pumps

There are two types of sump pumps; a pedestal sump pump and a submersible sump pump.

The pedestal sump pump is often the more economical sump pump option. As it is mounted above the sump with an exposed motor it makes it easier for repairs to take place if needed. The pedestal sump pump is the more visible pump, but often won’t last as long as the submersible sump pumps.

The submersible sump pump is completely mounted inside the sump and sealed. This makes it the more visually appealing sump pump, but it does mean it is tricky to complete repairs if needed. The submersible sump pump will tend to cost more than the pedestal sump pump, but it will last longer, be less obtrusive and quieter too.

Why Do You Need A Sump Pump?

If you have a beautifully finished basement that is nicely converted into the perfect space to relax and unwind with gorgeous carpets, latest electronics and more, then you definitely need a sump pump installed. It will help avoid the risk of bad weather, or a change in water table levels, destroying your dream basement space.

You should also be considering a sump pump if your basement has flooded before. If you live in a flat or low lying area with soil that readily and easily traps water, if you live somewhere that has lots of extreme weather such as frequent heavy rain or snow or if your existing pump is 6 years old or more as they will usually last up to 10 years.

In order to get the most out of your pump, it is vitally important that they receive a regular service to keep them working efficiently and prevent any unwanted build up.

If you would like a basement sump and pump service then get in touch with us by calling 0800 019 9949 or contact us online.

  • March 29, 2017
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Everything You Need To Know About Macerators & Sewage Pumps

Category : Basement Care , News

A macerator pump is a fast-moving rotating blade that breaks up toilet waste through piping and into a sewer or septic tank. They’re compact units usually found in bathrooms at the back of your toilet. If you need your macerator serviced please get in touch and we can provide you with more information on 0800 019 9949.

Sewage pumps are wastewater pumps that move sewage from your property to an outlet channel. They’re always found at the lowest point of your basement and are generally submerged most of the time. Discharge water from toilets, showers and washing machines will all be removed from your property via a sewage pump.

Before sump pump clean

 Before Service

Most sewage pumps at automatic, and in case of power failure, it’s recommended they’re fitted with a battery back-up system. The last thing you want in your basement is your sewage pump failing! We recommend having your sewage pump serviced at least once a year and your sewage chamber cleaned at least every 18 months.

To help you keep your sewage pump / macerator working in tip top condition we have compiled our list of the top items that you should not flush your toilet or sink:

• Disposable baby wipes – even products described as ‘biodegradable’.
• Paper towels – these items do not break down easily unlike normal toilet paper.
• Sanitary towels and tampons
• Dental floss – can become tangled in the grinder mechanism.
• Plastic bags – incredibly people do flush plastic bags down lavatories!
• Cotton wool buds – although small, these have been known to clog impellers.
• Latex condoms / gloves – these are not biodegradable and can clog impellers.

After sump pump clean

After Service

At The Basement Sump & Pump Co. we are experts in servicing and maintaining sewage pumps. If you have any questions about your pump or need to book in a service, please give us a call on 0800 019 9949 or fill out our online form to request a service we’re here to help!

  • February 23, 2017
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Top 5 Questions about Sump Pumps

Category : Basement Care , News

Here at the Basement Sump & Pump Company we get lots of customers asking us for advice about their sump pump. Many of our customers have never even heard of a sump pump before! But don’t worry; we are here to help ensure your sump pump runs as smooth as possible and provide you with all the information you need to keep your basement warm and dry.

What is a sump pump?

A sump pump is a pump used to remove excess water from a chamber, which also known as a sump. Water may collect in the chamber from excess groundwater, channelled from a perimeter drainage system, or from rainwater. They’re commonly found in basements which are below the water table.

Sump pumps are usually made of metal or plastic and are commonly submersed inside the chamber. When the water level inside the chamber reaches a certain level, the pump will turn on automatically and drain the water away to a convenient drain off point. Some pumps also have an alarm to let you know when the water level is too high. Other pumps come with a battery back-up system so they can work in the event of power failure.

Sump pump

Why do I need my sump pump serviced?

Once your sump pump is installed, it’s easy to forget it is even there. Many people only become aware that they have a sump pump fitted if suddenly their basement starts to flood. Flooding can occur if your pump has broken, if the pump isn’t powerful enough or if there is a blockage in your perimeter channel.

An annual service may be required to validate any insurance or guarantee on your basement in the event of a flood and to avoid any loss of personal property that may be housed near your pump. Regular maintenance is recommended to ensure your pump is functioning properly.

How often should I get my sump pump serviced?

To keep your sump pump in good working condition, we recommend having a service every 12 months. However, some pumps are used more frequently than others. For example: We attend many pumps in London that are heavily used due to a build-up of silt in their basement drainage channels, so in such instances, we would recommend a service every 6 months to ensure the pump is working as it should. The Basement Sump & Pump Company can offer competitive discounts to customers who require a service every 6 months.

Your pump will also be heavily used if it disposes of water from a washing machine or dishwasher. We also service sewage pumps, which may require a deep clean every other year. This can be assessed at the time of your pump service.

What do I do if my sump pump alarm goes off?

In the event of your alarm sounding, don’t panic! Sometimes condensation will make contact with the sensor inside the chamber and set off your alarm. To find out if the water level inside you pump is too high, then listen to see if your pump is running constantly. It will sound similar to a dishwasher. The pump may be continuously running for various reasons, most of which can be easily fixed.

If you need an engineer to inspect your pump, give us a call on 0800 019 9949 and we will endeavour to get someone out to help you as soon as possible.

How long will my sump pump last?

Submersible sump pumps generally last up to 10 years if not longer. Regular service will ensure your pump lasts as long as possible. As submersible pumps can be expensive to replace, it will be cheaper for you in the long run to prolong the life of your sump pump. However, it is always worthwhile checking with the manufacturer of your pump to find out how long they advise the manufacturers warranty is valid for.

  • January 16, 2017
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The Basement Sump Pump introduces our newly designed and responsive site

Category : General News , News

To improve our customer experience at The Basement Sump Pump we proud to introduce our new and responsive site. The Basement Sump Pump website is now redesigned to have a more modern feel with improvements made to the overall usability of the site. We not only wanted to make improvements to the design of the site but to make the site fully responsive – meaning that the site looks great on your phone as well as your laptop.

The redesign of the site was created with the visitors in mind and to improve the experience for the user. By improving the experience the aim is to make it easier than ever for our visitors to become customers.

The feel of ease is very important to make the visitor’s journey much easier. To ensure all the information about our services are made easily accessible to our customers, the layout and the sites navigation were carefully measured.
The feel of ease is very important to make the visitor’s journey much easier. To ensure all the information about our services are made easily accessible to our customers, the layout and the sites navigation were carefully measured.

The Changes we have made to the Site:

Introducing the Parallax Scroll

“The what scroll?!” – Although this sounds techy there is a simple explanation! On the homepage, you will see that that the background image will move at a slower rate than the foreground which creates an illusion of the image being 3D once scrolling down the page. This is known as the parallax scroll.

Faster Page Speed and Efficiency

Page loading time is an annoyance for anyone who visits any site so by making improvements to the back-end of our site we have decreased the page load times. This means our visitors can find exactly what they want without having to spend much time waiting for pages to load.

Sleek, New Look and Design

We felt that the site needed to be brought into the 21st century. So, we have given it an extra clean finish to ensure that distractions are eliminated allowing our visitors to focus on the most important aspect of the site, the content.

Responsive Design

Mobile is a main part in everyone’s daily life so here at The Basement Sump and Pump, we not only wanted to make the site look attractive but also be able to function on all screen sizes and resolutions.

Our goal is to improve the visitor’s experience and to ensure that The Basement Sump and Pump is the go-to company for sump pump servicing. If you have any problems with your sump pump then please call 0800 019 9949 or visit our Request a Clean & Check Service page.

  • June 30, 2014
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Annual checks at the ready for summer!

Category : Basement Care , Clean and Check , News

As the UK has had its fair share of wet weather already this year, we should start preparing  for yet another typical British summer. Don’t be fooled by a short spell of sunshine, enquires have already been “flowing” in for sump and pump checks.

Most home owners miss their annual checks or forget to arrange one with the busy summer holidays coming up however with the potential for bursts of rain coming in thick and fast, this may cause an issue for your sump and pump. An annual clean and check can help maintain your sump and pump and keep it ticking along, saving you time, money as well as making for a stress free summer!

An unchecked Sump and Pump

To prevent this happening your sump and pump…

Don’t forget an annual basement pump servicing, in a majority of cases, this is required as part of the conditions of your guarantee. To arrange a ‘Clean and Check’ pump service from ourselves simply call 0800 019 9949 or complete our on-line ‘Clean and Check’ request form

  • September 23, 2013
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Frequently asked questions about Macerators

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Category : Clean and Check , News , Sewage Pumps

Our Basement Sump and Pump experts have pulled together a top 10 list of the most frequently asked questions that we have received regarding problems with macerators.

The most frequently asked questions, regarding macerator are as follows;

Exactly what does a macerator do?

Macerators are designed to pump away waste materials from toilets, as well as other waste waters without depending on a regular drainage system.

What is the best way to install a macerator?

Every macerator is unique; therefore it is essential to comply with the instructions within the manual which comes with it. However, as a basic guideline, the majority of macerators slide behind the toilet. You should then be able to pull the rubber over the opening of the toilet from the macerator. Once this is done, you must plumb in the opening from the macerator to the soil pipe or stack. When this step is completed, it is essential to have an electrician present, as you could possibly be violating industry regulations and the law.

What would happen if I put incorrect substances in the macerator?

In the event you insert the wrong substances down the toilet, there would most likely be a jam or block use of the rota along with the outlet waste that is being pumped out, resulting in an emergency call out.

I live in a rented property, What if the macerator gets blocked, is the landlord accountable for this?

In the event the macerator is blocked it is the duty of the landlord to ensure it is safe. Provided that there is certainly a primary toilet within the house, the landlord is within his legal rights to arrange a plumber to visit on a standard weekday. Nevertheless if perhaps the problem of the macerator is a result of misuse, then this will be the accountability of the tenant. It is wise to determine if there is power getting to the macerator, as it establishes if the macerator needs replacing or not.

Are macerators loud?

Macerators can seem to be loud however, only potentially as loud as a washing machine or even a dishwasher.

What is the average cost for a macerators and the installation?

Macerator costs range between, £150 to £600 based on the manufacture, the guarantee, the brand and what the macerators will likely be useful for. A reliable macerator would most likely cost roughly between, £280 to £600. To get a macerator installed this would cost on average £500.

What is the average life span for the macerator?

The common rule regarding macerators, is the machine, which will usually last up to 15 years, if handling a small amount of waste. With standard usage in a main bathroom in a domestic home, you can assume a macerator to last at least for about 10 years. If the macerator has been utilised in a high traffic for example on a commercial property, you would then calculate approximately 3 years. However there are actually specific macerators which are made specifically for commercial usage, though the cost for one will be considerably higher than a domestic macerator.

Can a macerator also take other appliance?

Dependent on the type of macerator, a macerator will take all types of soil waste, provided that it is within the guidelines and there are certainly no solids going down, such as kitchen waste or even wet wipes. See our list of things not to be put down a macerator.

Should a qualified person be needed to install a macerator?

Provided that the instructions are followed appropriately in full together with meeting all regulations then a qualified person, such as a plumber is not necessarily needed. However if in any doubt consult a qualified expert for further advice.

How do I go about fixing a broken macerator?

On many occasions, broken macerators can only be replaced, while any substitution on a macerator voids the guarantee, it is highly recommended to never try to exchange the components simply because of the kind of work required. Hopefully, you are fortunate enough to have a macerator that is only obstructed with undesirable item or the switch has accidentally been turned off or perhaps the fuse has gone.

In the event the fuse has gone, it will always be beneficial to examine the cause, as the motor may need replacing or a common fault with the device.

  • July 22, 2013
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Going on holiday? Don’t forget your Sump Pump!

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Category : Basement Care , Clean and Check , News

Its that time of year again. The rarest of rare events has happened (a few weeks of good weather!)  but many peoples thoughts are turning to that all important break away, jumping on a plane and heading off abroad. Before you pack your bags though spare a quick thought for your hard working friend in the basement.

The summer period is without doubt the best time of year to give your basement sump and pump unit a thorough service before the cold and damp season ahead. Right now your basement sump and pump may not be working flat out but you know as soon as the ‘rainy season’ starts he’ll be there for you, keeping your basement dry.

Right now, we have extended our £150 offer for pump servicing so keeping your basement dry need not cost the earth.  Why not give us a call on 0800 019 9949 to arrange to have your sump pump serviced and give you that peace of mind that your faithful friend is in tip top condition for the seasons ahead.

  • June 11, 2013
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Fatty deposits and pumps

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Category : General News , News

People never really give a second thought about what they tip away down the sink – here though is one very good reason why you should! We were called out to a routine 6 monthly ‘Clean and Check’ at the home of a customer who was blissfully unaware of the potential damage that was been done to her pump situated in the kitchen. Our customer was lost for words when the engineer having completed the ‘Clean & Check’ of her domestic pump showed her the bag full of fat deposits that were cleaned away from the pump unit. The fat deposits had almost totally clogged the impeller of the pump unit and if left unchecked would have caused potential damage to the pump unit.
Fatty deposits on pump
Request a clean and checkShould you have a basement sump and pump system installed don’t forget to have it serviced. On this occasion the customer was lucky and no damage was done but if left the cost of repairs could of been high.  Only through routine pump maintenance was the problem pick up.

An annual basement pump servicing  in a majority of cases is required as part of the conditions of your guarantee. To arrange a ‘Clean and Check’ pump service from ourselves simply call 0800 019 9949 or complete our on-line ‘Clean and Check’ request form

  • February 27, 2013
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Guess What’s hiding underneath all the lime scale?

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Category : Basement Care , Clean and Check , News

An ode to a ‘Clean and Check’

Two sad pumps sitting in their sump, both neglected and unloved, I’m not surprised they had the hump!

Then along come Rod armed with his ‘Clean and Check kit, he’d soon make sure that both were fighting fit!

As the first pump was lifted you could hear a sound of glee, and the second pump said “Hey, don’t forget me!”

The engineer worked hard removing all the dirt, the grime and filth was everywhere, some even on his shirt!

Valves and batteries  replaced  they both looked good as new, a classic case of a ‘Clean and Check’ that was definitely long overdue!

Back to the sump they went placed with care by our expert, ready to drain any water away to stop a flood alert!

Request a clean and checkOn a more serious note! Should you have a basement sump and pump system installed don’t forget to have it serviced. An annual basement pump servicing  in a majority of cases is required as part of the conditions of your guarantee. To arrange a ‘Clean and Check’ pump service from ourselves simply call 0800 019 9949 or complete our on-line ‘Clean and Check’ request form

  • August 31, 2012
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Customer feedback!

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Category : Customer Feedback , News

At the Basement Sump and Pump Co we actively encourage our customers to feed back on the experience they have had with us to help us learn and improve our service further. Below are a couple of snippets from customers that have just come in to Basement Sump and Pump HQ that we thought we would share with you:

Feedback from Basement Sump and Pump customer

Feedback from Basement Sump and Pump customer

To become on of the many satisfied Basement Sump and Pump Co customers give us a call on 0800 019 9949 or drop us an eMail at info@basementcare.co.uk – We look forward to helping you!

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