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The Importance of a Sump Pump Drainage System

The sump pump is a part of the basement waterproofing system and is an essential component so that the basement does not flood. The other key part of the waterproofing system that it works in conjunction with the basement drainage channels. These two elements work together to deal with any potential water ingress problems and keep the basement environment dry.

The design of the sump pump discharge line is an important part to prevent clogs from occurring and ensures that the system works at optimum efficiency. The problems that affect what happens outside of the basement effects the amount of water that can enter the basement and cause flooding.

It is important to ensure that water is kept away from the foundation of the property so that it will not lead to leaks inside of the basement.

If water from the sump pump’s discharge line is discharged in the wrong location it can lead to problems with the discharged water that has been pumped out finding its way back into the basement.

Features of Sump Pump Discharge Lines in the Drainage System

Problems with your sump pump discharge lines will cause the system to run continuously meaning that the basement waterproofing system will have a shortened life span. There are features within the sump pump drainage system that can make all the difference between having a full working system and a dry basement to having a potentially flooded basement.

Sump Pump Check Valve

The sump pump check valve is a section of the discharge line and its main purpose is to pump water into the discharge line. By doing this the water will not come back into the sump pit. This is an important feature of the sump pump drainage system as every time the pump is turned off the sump pump will have to pump the water out again.

The failure of the sump pump check valve can be a real problem, as this will cause an increase in the usage of the pump leading to an unnecessary increase in wear and tear. Sump pump check valve failure can also increase the chance of the system breaking down.

Discharge Lines Will Need Freeze Protection

It is possible during the colder months of the year that the discharge line will freeze over. The danger if this happens is that the whole sump pump system will stop completely. If the water cannot find an exit point out of the waterproofing system, then it will eventually cause your basement to flood.

To stop this from happening The Basement Sump and Pump Company will install discharge line fittings which dramatically reduce the chances of the discharge line freezing. There are also additional holes on the top of the fittings which will allow the excess water to escape out of the basement.

Discharge Line Openings

The opening section of the discharge line is one of the weakest points of the entire waterproofing system. This is because the openings are susceptible to becoming clogged with dirt and debris. This will result in the sump pump system ceasing to function and therefore lead to the basement being flooded.

When installed by a professional sump pump company the discharge line opening will have a grated opening and a plastic design which will help prevent clogging from happening.

How do Perimeter Drainage Channels Work with Sump Pump System?

Perimeter drainage channels are, as the name suggests, installed around the perimeter of the basement They have several holes in the channel which allow water from the cavity drain membrane to enter the channel.

The collected water is then dispersed from the drainage channel into the sump chamber. Once the water has been collected in the sump chamber, it is then pumped out of the basement to a safe evacuation point. The advantages of having a perimeter drainage channel fitted are the following:

• Where there are areas of the waterproofing system have failed, the perimeter drainage channel is used to solve these issues
• The perimeter drainage channel helps to relieve the pressure from groundwater to assist in maintaining a dry habitable basement

Having a Sump Pump Drainage System Installed by a Professional

Having your waterproofing system working effectively is important to ensure the risk of your basement flooding is kept to a minimum. Both the sump pump and perimeter drainage channels need to be installed and maintained by waterproofing professionals. A poor installation may lead to the problem not been resolved and could mean incurring extra unwanted costs in the near future to put it right.

At the Basement Sump and Pump Company, we have engineers with over 10 years of experience in providing basement sump and pump services to sorting out your flooded basement problems.

Related Pages

• How Does Sump Pump System Work?
• What Goes Into Sump Pump Cleaning Service?
• Why is Sump Pump Not Working?

Why is My Sump Pump Not Working?

Sump Pump Power Outage
Sump Pump System is Frozen or Clogged
Lack of Maintenance
Float Switch is Not Working
Corrosion of the Sump Pump
Blocked Impeller
The Valve Has Stopped Working

A common question that is often asked by our customers is “Why is my sump pump not working?” The sump pump unit is perhaps the most important part of the basement waterproofing system.

The sump pump ensures that water is pumped away from the sump to an area away from the property where the water can then be drained away from the foundation.

If the basement sump and pump stops working then this can be a real problem. There are several reasons why the waterproofing system may have stopped working.

Sump Pump Power Outage

One of the reasons why the basement sump pump may not be working is that there could be an issue with power reaching the sump pump. The sump pump can lose power as a result of:

• Extreme bad storm weather
• A fuse can be blown in the circuit for where the sump pump has been plugged in
• If you are using a low energy battery back up this can lose power
• The plug socket was used for something else and the sump pump was not plugged back in.

One simple solution to this is contacting our team at the Basement Sump and Pump Company for a long-lasting battery backup sump pump system.

Sump Pump System is Frozen or Clogged

The perimeter drainage channel is a key part of the waterproofing system and when it is functioning correctly it will take the water from the perimeter of the basement and channel it to the sump and pump for safe removal from the basement. If the pipe on the sump pump unit has become blocked for whatever reason, the unit cannot pump any water from your property which could potentially lead to flooding.

Sump pumps can also stop working if the pipe becomes frozen. Also, if any debris in the pipework is too much for the sump pump system to handle, then this could potentially be another reason why it will not work properly.

Lack of Routine Maintenance

Like most things, it can be subject to wear and tear through constant use and could become defective over a long period of time if not maintained. The best solution to this is to have an annual sump pump service, this will make sure that everything is working properly with your waterproofing system and ensures optimum performance.

Our technicians are highly skilled pump engineers, and we can install and provide maintenance for different types of sump pump systems. The manufacturers we are currently working with are Zoeller Pumps, Delta Membranes and John Newtons.

Float Switch Not Working

The float switch functions based on the level of the water that is in the sump pump pit. When the water rises to a certain level then the sump pump will automatically switch on and start the process of pumping the water out of the basement.

When the water level in the sump pump pit drops to a certain level the float switch will turn off. If the water in the pit is full of debris such as paper, wet wipes and hair then the water may struggle to move freely and the float switch may not operate as it should.

Corrosion of the Sump Pump Unit

Even the most corrosion resistant sump pump unit will start to rust at some point in its lifetime and if this happens the float switch may once again struggle to function properly.

The best course of action is to contact a specialist who can either clean the sump pump or install replacement parts as necessary.

Blocked Impeller

The impeller is one of the main functions for the sump pump system to work properly and this can malfunction for several reasons. One main sign that there is an issue with the impeller will be strange noises coming from the sump pump.

The impeller can become clogged due to the build up of dirt or debris. This can be sorted by having the impeller cleaned or in severe cases even replaced.

The Valve Has Stopped Working

The valve stops the water that is pumped from flowing back into the sump pump pit. Clogging is the main issue for why the valve will have stopped working. Debris, tiny stones or mud can start to build if not regularly maintained.

The valve can also wear out after a long period of time so if this happens then this will need to be replaced to ensure that the sump pump system is working in order again.

What Do I Need To Do To Fix My Sump Pump System?

We have now outlined the reasons why the sump pump system may stop working, so what can you do? The main fix to sorting out the issue is to have regular maintenance of the sump pump system.

In a majority of cases, this means having an annual service of the sump pump. All issues discussed for the sump pump to stop working can be sorted by contacting our team at the Basement Sump and Pump Company.

Having regular maintenance carried out at your property is a small price to pay to know that your basement waterproofing system will be running smoothly during times of heavy periods of rainfall.

You can get in touch with us by clicking the link button below:

Everything You Need To Know About Macerators & Sewage Pumps

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 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 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!

Top 5 Questions about Sump Pumps

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.

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 require an engineer to provide your sump pump repair, 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.