Keeping your basement dry is essential. A damp space can invite mold, cause structural damage, and reduce air quality in your home. Installing a sump pump system can be a simple, effective solution.

But how does it waterproof your basement? Let’s cover the installation and maintenance steps. This will help protect your home and keep your basement dry.

What Does a Sump Pump Do to Waterproof Your Basement?

Wondering how a sump pump works? It removes water from beneath your basement floor. Water collects in a pit called a sump basin. When it rises, the pump directs it away from your home—like an automatic guard against unwanted water.

Without a sump pump, water can damage your foundation, causing cracks or flooding. Whether it’s heavy rain or a high water table, a sump pump gives you peace of mind during storms.

Steps to Sump Pump Installation

Installing a sump pump requires proper planning. Here’s how the process typically goes:

1. Find the Right Spot: Choose the lowest point in your basement. This is where water naturally collects. Avoid finished areas to reduce disruption.
2. Dig the Sump Pit: Dig a hole for the sump basin. It must be deep enough to collect runoff but not too deep to destabilize the area.
3. Install the Pump: The sump pump is placed in the basin. Choose between submersible or pedestal models, based on your space. Submersible pumps sit in the pit, while pedestal pumps stay above it.
4. Set Up Discharge Lines: A discharge pipe moves water out of the basement and away from the foundation. Ensure the pipe directs water far enough to prevent backflow.
5. Test the System: Test the pump with water before sealing the pit. This ensures the pump activates and efficiently moves water through the discharge line.
6. Seal and Cover: Secure the sump pump with a proper cover to prevent debris and odors while maintaining safety.

Though DIY might seem tempting, hiring a professional ensures proper installation. Getting it right can mean the difference between a dry basement and constant water issues.

Understanding Sump Pump Installation Cost

Budgeting is key. The cost of installation varies based on factors like the type of pump, labor, and any plumbing adjustments.

• Pump Type: Pedestal pumps are more affordable but may lack the power and durability of submersible models.
• Labor Costs: Professionals charge for digging the pit, adjusting drainage, and setting up the system. Costs vary by location.
• Extras: Battery backups or alarms may raise the price, but they offer added protection during power outages.

On average, professional installation costs between $1,200 and $4,000. While it’s an upfront investment, it protects your foundation and saves you from costly water damage.

How to Maintain Your Basement Sump Pump Systems

After installation, regular maintenance is essential. It’s not a “set it and forget it” situation. Simple upkeep steps can extend your pump’s life and prevent failures.

• Test the Pump Monthly: Pour a bucket of water into the sump basin to test the pump’s response. If it’s slow to activate, it may need repairs.
• Check Discharge Lines: Inspect the discharge pipe for clogs or freezing, especially in winter. Blocked lines could send water back into your basement.
• Clean the Pit: Clean the sump basin yearly to prevent dirt and debris buildup.
• Inspect Electrical Components: For electric models, check the power cord and outlet connections. Keep the cord dry and free from water exposure.
• Consider a Backup System: A battery backup ensures the pump works during power outages. It’s a small addition that can prevent major water damage.

Regular maintenance ensures the pump works when needed most.

When to Call a Professional

Some issues are best left to experts. If your pump runs nonstop, won’t turn on, or loses power, call a professional to fix it.

You may also need help with drainage problems like downspouts or grading that affect water flow. Don’t get overwhelmed. Experts deal with these problems daily and can help keep your basement dry.

Stay Ahead of Basement Water Problems with Expert Help

Water in your basement can cause frustration and costly damage. A properly installed sump pump effectively waterproofs your space. While installation may seem expensive, it’s much less than dealing with water damage.

By maintaining your pump and calling an expert when needed, you’ll protect your home and improve your living space. Preventing water issues now saves you headaches later.

Learn about our sump pump installation and repair services here.

A sump pump collects and removes standing water from your home. It’s usually found in the lowest part of a property, such as a crawlspace or basement, and it helps to prevent water damage. This is especially important in a state such as IL, where rainfall is increasing, and floods are more likely.

Sump pumps in IL are subject to strict building codes and quality controls. But, nevertheless, like all plumbing components, a sump pump won’t last forever. How long does a sump pump last, though – and how do you know when it’s time for a replacement?

The best thing to do is call our team for a sump pump inspection or service. But in the meantime, here’s a rundown of sump pump life expectancy.

Sump Pump Life Expectancy

The average sump pump lasts around 10 years. Various factors influence how long a sump pump lasts, including:

• Frequency of use
• Type of sump pump
• Frequency of maintenance and servicing
• Quality of materials used

Our team can offer more insight into how long your home sump pump should last after inspecting its condition.

Do Sump Pumps Require Maintenance?

Yes! Even the highest quality sump pump requires regular maintenance. You should inspect your sump pump every few months for signs of leaks, wear and tear, or damage. We’ll cover how you can extend your sump pump’s lifespan below.

Signs a Sump Pump Is Nearing the End of its Lifespan

While it’s not always obvious that a sump pump needs replacing, warning signs include:

• Loud vibrations
• Strange noises
• Water moving slower than usual
• Rusty (brown) water
• Sump pump won’t turn off

These are just some of the most common signs of failing sump pumps. Call our plumbers if you have any concerns about your home’s sump pump. Sometimes, we can simply repair rather than replace the whole pump, especially if you find a minor problem early.

How to Increase Sump Pump Life Expectancy

You can extend your sump pump’s lifespan by taking the following steps.

• Only trust qualified, expert plumbers to install your sump pump.
• Ensure the sump pump is the correct size for your property.
• Make sure the pump is upright and there are no obstructions.
• Check for defects, e.g. leaks and broken float switches.
• Clean your pump regularly – an experienced plumber can service your pump every few months.

Regular maintenance and servicing are the most effective ways to increase your pump’s lifespan.

How Often Should Sump Pumps Be Replaced?

You don’t need to wait until a sump pump fails to replace it. You might consider replacing your sump pump every few years, especially if it’s used frequently. Our team can inspect your sump pump and advise whether a replacement is recommended.

Sump Pump Servicing and Repairs in Elgin, IL

Every sump pump requires regular maintenance. And, in time, it will require replacing. So, if you’re worried about the condition of your sump pump, we can help!

At Fox Valley Plumbing, our team regularly inspects and repairs sump pumps across Elgin, IL. Our happy customers trust us to get the job done right the first time around.

Call us, and you can expect prompt, friendly service from our professional and experienced team. Whether you need sump pump servicing or replacement, contact us 24/7 to schedule a visit and a quote. Give us a call or leave us a message online – whichever you prefer!

When the system in your home starts to run continuously, it becomes one of the more frequent causes of a sump pump failure.

Continuous operation can cause a sump pump system to overheat and malfunction. This is particularly true if your sump pump is operating when the pit is dry because the water will help your system cool off while it is operating.

If the problem is addressed quickly, the majority of problems with continuously operating sump pump systems have straightforward causes and straightforward fixes.

Sump pumps typically operate intermittently, as required. However, occasionally they operate continuously, which raises electricity costs, causes them to age much more quickly than they should, and may even burn out the motor.

Why a Sump Pump Is Necessary

A sump pump’s job is to pump water out of a basement. Naturally, there isn’t water in the basement normally. Unless a flood occurs. Or, in some instances, a lot of rain combined with a poor slope that allows water to flow into your cellar.

The sump pump is there to remove the water in case of a flood or a severe downpour even if you don’t have a finished basement because items can still get damaged with water in the cellar or crawlspace.

However, the sump pump is normally off and shouldn’t be running unless there is a high level of water.

What a Sump Pump Usually Does

The majority of typical sump pumps are submersibles, installed in liners within sump pits with gravel bases dug into basement or crawl space corners.

Any water that may leak in is drained into the sump pit. However, if water is coming in too quickly and the pit can’t drain, water rises inside the liner and fills the pump to the point where the float valve on the pump is activated. When that occurs, the sump pump activates to force extra water into a discharge pipe that exits the home foundation and travels to an area outside. The discharge pipe is tilted upward because it is built below grade, which would ordinarily allow gravity to allow the water to flow back in. A check valve stops any water in the pipe from going back into the pit and potentially into your basement in order to avoid this.

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What Causes a Sump Pump to Cycle On and Off?

 Here are a few causes for a sump pump to continue operating:

• The “on” position of the float switch becomes stuck.
• The float switch becomes stuck to the side of the liner and is unable to function.
• The check valve on the sump pump could be malfunctioning or broken. The water that the check valve typically empties into the outlet pipe washes back into the sump pit if it is broken, reactivating the float valve and the pump. Your sump pump will continue to operate as a result.
• The size of your liner or sump pump is incorrect. If the pump is either tiny or too weak, it must run nonstop to remove water that accumulates in the liner. The pump has to run more frequently if the liner is too tiny since it fills up with water more rapidly.
• The sump pit is filthy and overflowing with trash. The garbage is sucked up by the sump pump, which causes the mechanical components to get clogged and unclean and stop functioning correctly.
• There may occasionally be a high water table or an underground spring that supplies the sump pit with water regularly.

Possible Solutions If Your Sump Pump Is Constantly Running

The float switch should be the first place you check if your sump pump won’t turn off. Take these actions:

• Start the sump pump.
• Make sure the float switch is not fastened to the liner.
• Untangle it if it is pinned so that it can readily move with the water level.
• It probably has to be changed if you discover that it is not tangled and can move freely. One can be bought online or at a hardware shop.
• Remove the old switch by unplugging it. Put the new switch in its place.
• To secure the new switch to the sump pump, use a plastic tie. It will be able to float up and down with the water level thanks to this.

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Well, if the sump pump is older than 7 to 10 years, you should probably replace it. Its usable life has likely come to an end, especially if you notice corrosion around the base.

If the sump pit is filled with a lot of debris, clear it out. Shut off the sump pump and do your best to remove any debris. If the sump pump isn’t turning on and off all the time, turn it back and see if that helps.