What Size of Sump Pump Do I Need for My Home?

Close up of home water draining from residential sump pump after flooding

“What size sump pump do I need for my house?”

This is a question we often get when clients are wondering how to choose a home sump pump. And it’s not surprising question – choosing the right sump pump is challenging!

So how do you choose a sump pump size, and do you even need one? Our team answers these questions below.

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a pump designed to remove standing water from a pit, or the lowest part of your house. It’s typically used in basements to prevent water damage and flooding.

Sump pumps work by detecting when there’s too much water in the pit or bucket. At this point, the pump drains excess water away from the home.

Who Needs a Sump Pump?

Consider a sump pump if you’ve had flooding or storm damage before. And if you live in a flat area, or an area prone to heavy rain, you might consider a sump pump.

The simple answer is this: flooding becomes more common in Elgin, more homes may benefit from sump pumps!

How Big of a Sump Pump Do I Need?

There are a few points to consider when deciding between sump pump sizes. Here are the main factors to bear in mind.

Consider How Much Water You Need to Pump

Your sump pump must be able to move water faster than it accumulates. So, it must be powerful enough to handle the water flow. This means you need to know your system capacity.

You can figure out your sump pump system capacity in gallons per minute (GPM). This is how many gallons of water your pump can discharge every minute.

Think About Where the Water Should Travel

Your pump must be strong enough to “lift” water from the pit. And it must be able to discharge it far enough away from your home to prevent backflow and water damage.

Factors which influence how strong your pump should be include:

  • The depth of your basement or crawlspace
  • Amount of water you are likely to collect
  • Distance between the sump pump and the final exit point

Calculating the exact size of pump you need is complicated, but don’t worry. We can help you select the pump with the right dimensions for your needs.

Know Standard Sump Pump Sizes

Every home is different. However, for residential properties, the standard sump pump size is 1/3 “HP”, or horsepower. 1/2 pumps are stronger, and the strongest is a 3/4.

Use these figures as a guide – you might need a larger or smaller pump for your home. For example, homes prone to flooding may need a 3/4 pump.

If In Doubt, Call a Plumber

Choosing the right sump pump is critical to keep your home safe and flood-free. The wrong size of sump pump could lead to costly water damage and expensive repairs! This is a problem you can avoid if you ask an experienced plumber for help.

And all sump pumps must comply with village, city, and state-level building codes. Poor installations can lead to fines and other civil penalties. A knowledgeable plumber can ensure this won’t happen.

If you’re unsure what size sump pump you need for your home, or whether it’s fitted properly, contact us. We’d love to help.

Sump Pump Fitting and Repairs in Elgin, IL

Do you need a sump pump in Elgin, IL? Contact Fox Valley Plumbing. Here 24/7 for emergencies, we’re only a call or email away if you need residential sump pump services. No matter what type of sump pump you need, we can assist.

Ensure that the pump you use is the right fit for your home. Trust Fox Valley to install, service, or repair any home sump pump. Call now or leave us a message online to request a quote.

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How Long Does a Sump Pump Last?

Close up of a residential sump pump pipe pushing water into outdoor space

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!

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How Do Sump Pumps Work?

Close up of a sump pump installed in a home basement for domestic plumbing use

Are you worried about basement flooding the next time there’s a storm? Then you need to know about sump pumps.

These powerful systems can give you peace of mind the next time there’s heavy rainfall. They can make the difference between a dry or flooded home. But what, exactly, is a sump pump? And how does a sump pump work in a basement or elsewhere?

Our team answers these questions and more below.

What Is a Sump Pump?

“Sumps” are low spaces where water accumulates. In homes, we can think of a basement or crawlspace as a “sump”, because it’s the lowest spot in the property.

A sump pump, then, is a mechanism used to remove standing water from the basement or crawlspace. The goal is to prevent flooding and protect the property’s foundation from water damage.

Sump pumps are built into a hole, or space, in your basement. When water levels rise, the pump activates and drains the water away from your home. There are various types of sump pumps, but the most common include battery backup and water powered pumps.

How Do Battery Backup Sump Pumps Work?

Sometimes, storms cause power outages. However, a battery backup sump pump includes a float switch. So, even if a storm knocks out your power, the pump still works. It just switches from using electricity to the battery backup.

How Do Water Powered Sump Pumps Work?

A water powered sump pump actually uses water pressure to pump excess water away. It’s handy because there’s no battery or power supply. The downside is the risk of higher water bills due to increased water usage.

Due to IL codes and regulations, water pumps are uncommon in the state. They should not be the primary sump pump for any home.

Sump Pump Benefits

There are many benefits to installing a sump pump in your home.

  • Sump pumps help to prevent structural damage from pooling or standing water.
  • If there’s a flood, sump pump can protect your valuables from water damage.
  • A sump pump can help to reduce mold and dampness, which improves air quality.
  • Heavy rainfall is increasingly common across Illinois, so a sump pump could boost your home’s value.

Do You Need a Sump Pump?

Ultimately, it depends on your property. Here are signs you will benefit from a sump.

  • You use your basement to store valuables and other property.
  • Your basement has flooded before.
  • You live in an older property with possible mold or mildew problems.
  • Your home is in an area prone to storms and heavy rainfall.

Even if you don’t have a basement or need a sump pump, you might need flood protection. Our plumbers are happy to inspect your property and recommend what type of flood protection works best.

Sump Pump Repair and Installation in Elgin, IL

Flooding or high water levels can cause severe property damage. That’s why you probably need a sump pump – and you definitely need to service it regularly!

Don’t put your home’s foundation at risk. Call Fox Valley Plumbing for a sump pump installation or repair today.

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Sump Pump Keeps Running On and Off

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.

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Why Sewage Ejector Pump Is Needed, How It Works and How to Install One in Illinois

What Is A Sewage Ejector Pump?

A sewage ejector pump is an underwater or submersible pump that helps to move liquid or semi-liquid waste from washing machines, laundry, or bathrooms situated in the basements of the house. Houses of Chicago, Wheaton, Elgin, etc. in Illinois have their laundry in the basements, and an ejector pump is a must in these houses.

How Does A Sewage Ejector Pump Work?

A sewage ejector pump works the same as a sump pump. The difference between a sump pump and a sewage ejector pump is that a sump pump suctions water in the basement that accumulated because of rain, and a sewage ejector ejects wastewater from washing machines or bathrooms in basements. In an ordinary house, wastewater from the kitchen or bathroom goes through the normal sewage or plumbing line and drains in the central septic or municipal line outside the home. However, when a house has a laundry system like a washing machine or bathroom in the basement lower than the actual ground, the wastewater does not go directly to the main septic line as it is placed on the ground level, as it is lower than that. In moments like these, a sewage ejector pump helps to eject by lifting the wastewater at the ground level and throwing the water into the septic or municipal sewage line.

Sewage ejector pumps sit on a basin-like sump placed on the ground by digging it. It has multiple valves that get aware of the level of wastewater. The sump basin can hold approximately 28 to 30 gallons of water, depending on the type of pump. The outlet line or pipe is 2 to 4 inches long, connecting the pump with a 3 to 6 inches long central septic or municipal line. As the sewage ejector pumps are installed in basements, a vent is necessary to vent out the sewage gasses to equalize the pressure of pumping. This vent comes outside with a pit and connects with a pipe that helps to ventilate the gases.

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How Much Does A Sewage Ejector Pump Cost?

For an average residential, a sewage ejector pump can cost from $300 to $1000, depending on its type, horsepower motor etc., and the installation charge depends on the technician or the plumber. Usually, these pumps do not need any maintenance but once a year. A professional technician or plumber can inspect the pump to see if it needs any changes.

Does Your House Need  A Sewage Ejector Pump?

In Illinois, cities like Elgin, Chicago, Wheaton, etc., have houses with basement laundries, dryers and bathrooms. A sewage ejector pump is necessary to eject the wastewater from these. Moreover, it also reduces the pressure of the regular sewage line. So, if your house’s laundry system is situated in the basement, a sewage ejector pump is a must for you.

How to Install a Sewage Ejector Pump?

For the installation of a sump pump, it is better to have a professional technician or plumber who will install the pump as per the house or commercial place needed.

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Wheaton, IL Sump Pump, How It Works, Types, Costs, Benefits and Installation

A sump pump is a device that helps suction water to keep the lower point or the basement of a house dry and avoid floods. This sump is a naturally built pit that is usually a curved hole underneath the main exterior of the basement floor. This pit is called a basin, holding the sump pump and valves to sense the water level. Whenever it rises, it automatically pumps or suctions the water and throws it away in a drainage system or dry well. Generally, the cold states install the sump pump more as the snowfall causes floods when it melts. More specifically, in Wheaton, IL, each home has a sump pump to suction water so the basement can be dry and no mould or mildew can grow.

How does the Sump Pump Work?

The technician or the plumbers install a sump pump at a house’s lower point or basement because there is a high chance of a flood there. Most of the time, the pump is on standby. Whenever heavy rain or snowfall happens in places like Wheaton, IL, the pit, a curved hole-like basin that holds the pump, starts to get full of the excess water from the oversaturated soil. The valves that can sense the water level of the pumps detect the rising water, and the switch that is connected with the pump activates the mechanism so that it can pump out the excess water and through it with the help of a line called effluent, which connects with the drainage system, or dry well. The designated area for draining the water should be 10 to 20 feet away from the house’s foundation.

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Types of Sump Pump and Cost

There are four types of sump pumps, depending on the necessity, usage, place, and cost, with distinctive differences; submersible sump pumps, pedestal sump pumps, battery-operated sump pumps, and water-powered sump pumps. They have different mechanisms than one another. They can cost 100$ to 400$ for a house and 500$ to 1000$ for commercial usage. Also, installation can cost 600$ to 3000$ depending on professional installation.

What Are The Benefits of Sump Pump?

A sump pump keeps the basement of a house dry in areas like Wheaton, IL, as the place has a high snowfall record. Without a sump pump, the basement can get damp and hazardous mould, mildew, or fungus can grow, which questions the healthy house environment. It keeps the basement supplies like washing machines or dryers safe. It improves the air quality indoors and helps to reduce the musty smell. Also, it helps to keep the foundation intact and discourages the invasion of insects.

How to install a sump pump?

For the installation of a sump pump, it is better to have a professional technician or plumber who will install the pump as per the house or commercial place needed.

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Schaumburg, Il – Sump Pump Repair & Installation

Zoeller Sump Pump

Before & After Sump Pump Installation

Before

After

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Best Practices in Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Home

sump-pump-ejector-pump-elgin-il

How do you decide which sump pump is best for you?

There are several cheap units available in hardware stores but should you get them? As with other things, cheap units will cost you several hundred dollars more.

Does every home need a sump pump?

Every area doesn’t need a sum pump as per law. If your house hasn’t seen standing water for considerably long periods, a sump pump isn’t necessary. But if the house feels damp or has seen flooding, a sump pump should be considered. Apart from waterproofing, a sump pump will make the environment healthier and save any appliances or other possessions.

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But what is a sump pump?

This pump remains buried in a tub under the basement floor and collects and discharges water to prevent water from flooding the home. If you need to check before deciding to get a sump pump, plaster a few strips of plastic tape onto the wall and leave it in there for two-three days. Do this in several places and when you peel off the plastic layer, a wet wall will tell you what you seek to know.

In modern constructions, the pump is fed by drain lines placed under the house and around the foundation wall. In earlier constructions, retrofit pumps were used that had drain lines feeding the pump.
Irrespective of the type, the sum pump works to keep the water from flooding the house.

Which type of pump should you buy?

There are two types of pumps: Pedestal and Submersible
• Manual or automatic – choose which type of pump you would prefer. Manual may save you money, but automatic is better.
• Float type – tether or vertical.
• Housing material – cast iron, stainless steel, thermoplastic, aluminum, etc. Probably the stronger the housing, the better the unit.
• Gallons per hour flow – if you live with a high water table, or where there is a lot of rain, more gallons per hour are important.
• Backup and alarm systems – what you prefer will be based on your lifestyle.
• Motor amps – like the vacuum cleaner, the higher the amperage the stronger the motor. Consider 12amps, but fewer than 10amps would probably not serve you long.
• Horsepower – the most popular units, and those recommended by most professionals, are 1/2 to 1/3HP. For minor problems, there is no need to go overboard.
• Discharge port size. A 2″ pipe is usually the largest you can find.
• Price range. Again, you get what you pay for. Online you can find a good cast-iron submersible, 1/2HP unit, with a vertical float, for $200 – $300. Shop around and purchase when you find the best fit.
These are some of the points to keep in mind when looking for a sump pump.

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Elgin, Illinois – How To Change A Sumpro Battery

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