Choosing the Best Sump Pump for Your Basement
Now that I have decided that I need a dry basement, I’ve been studying up on what a basement waterproofing system consists of and how it should work best. My second area of focus was Sump Pump Systems. I wanted to know everything I could about what makes a really efficient, effective sump pump system. I found 4 major items that all Sump Pump systems should have:
4 Major Features of a Great Sump Pump
- Rigid, Durable Plastic Construction The best sump pump systems should be all in one numbers—an existing pump basket, a durable lid, and quality components. I was really impressed with the Zoeller pumps that Healthy Spaces sells with their basement waterproofing installations. The pumps are constructed of a rigid durable plastic that is designed to house a sump pump and will not mold or bend.
- Solid, Safe Fitting Lid A solid, safe fitting lid is essential to keeping debris and critters (or curious kids) out of the sump pump. It keeps water and odors below and reduces the humidity present in your basement by isolating your basement air from as much water as possible. Make sure that the sump pump you choose has a drain in the lid, though, to catch any plumbing leaks and remove the water from the basement.
- An Alarm in Case of Pump Failure One thing that I definitely want to know is if my pump has failed. Whether it has become overwhelmed, or the power has gone out and the pump is full, I want to know if I’m about to get wet, so a WaterWatch alarm is an essential component to any pump I purchase.
- Multiple Pumps Remember the saying, “When it rains, it pours”? Well, that’s the case this season. We can’t seem to get just a little rain, we get a lot. That’s why I want a sump pump that has multiple pumps. Imagine having a sump pump with 3 pumps! One pump is set at normal height and removes water from your basement. The second pump sits higher than the first and it can assist the first pump if lots of water is coming in at a time, or it can take over if the first pump isn’t responding. Together, the two pumps can remove over 6,200 gallons of water an hour! The third pump sits higher than the other two and works on battery power to remove water from your basement if the power goes out!
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