Sump pump

Sump pumps are used where basement flooding may otherwise happen, and to solve dampness where the water table is near or above the foundation of a structure.

Municipalities urge building owners to disconnect and reroute sump pump discharge away from sanitary sewers.

Sump pump systems are also utilized in industrial and commercial applications to control water table-related problems in surface soil.

These sumps are typically ten feet in depth or more; lined with corrugated metal pipe that contains perforations or drain holes throughout.

They may include electronic control systems with visual and audible alarms and are usually covered to prevent debris and animals from falling in.

In addition, the dedicated circuit may not require GFCI protection, as it is less vulnerable to false tripping due to electrical noise, especially during thunderstorms.

Since a sump basin may overflow if not pumped, a backup system is important for cases when the main power is out for prolonged periods of time, as during a severe storm.

Within the column, the motor shaft is connected to the impeller, which rotates inside a scroll housing at the bottom of the basin.

A battery-powered secondary pump will have a separate battery and charger system to provide power if normal supply is interrupted.

[4] The float controlling a backup pump is mounted in the sump pit above the normal high water mark.

Although such ejector pumps waste water and are relatively inefficient, they have the advantage of having no moving parts and offer the utmost in reliability.

[5] The alarm may sound locally only, or optionally may trigger remote notification via a telephone or cellphone data link.

Sump pumps, being mechanical devices, will fail eventually, which could lead to a flooded basement and costly repairs.

A partially obstructed discharge line can force a sump pump to work harder and increase its chance of overheating and failure.

If a sump pump remains operating for a long time (especially in the absence of cooling water for submersibles) it may overheat or burn out.

[citation needed] Lastly, if an independent water detector and alarm system is installed, it should be tested regularly.