Georgia enjoys mild winters, but they can also be wet winters and rainy weather usually continues all year round. That makes flooding a constant potential in our neck of the woods, and homeowners with a basement or similar features in their houses can suffer a great deal when the rainfall just won’t let up. For residents concerned about floodwaters in their home, we heartily recommend the installation of a sump pump to provide an extra layer of protection.
How Does a Sump Pump Work?
Sump pumps come in several different styles, but the one we usually recommend entails a small hold built at the lowest point to your property (usually in the basement). As floodwaters enter, they travel into the pit, where the sump pump waits for them. The waters trigger the pump’s function, which pulls the water into it and uses centrifugal force to push it up and out of a pipe. The pipe ejects the water outside your home, allowing the pump to prevent your home from flooding.
What Should I Look for in a New Sump Pump?
You should always use a professional plumber to install a new sump pump and keep it maintained. That will ensure that it always works the way you need it to, which is important since you won’t have much warning time when heavy rains are expected.
The installation itself need to be planned out carefully, not only in terms of the placement of the sump pump, but in its specific details. Your plumber can help explore your options, but as a general rule, look for the following traits:
- Horsepower. Sump pumps generate a certain amount of horsepower to do their job: usually around 1/3. If your needs are less dire, then a smaller pump with ¼ horsepower is a good idea, while homes with concerns over heavy flooding should look into a more powerful pump with ½ hp or more.
- Pressure. Sump pumps need to be able to life the water out of your home via a pipe in most cases, which requires a certain amount of pressure. The higher the pressure, the more lift the system provides. A plumber will need to make an assessment of your property and can provide a good pressure estimate based on the specifics of your home.
- Voltage. Most sump pumps use 110-volt circuits, though pumps meant for industrial locations may used 220-volt or higher circuits. Make sure yours is suited to residential use.
- Power Source. Most sump pumps run on electric power, and will need access to your home’s electrical grid. That could mean a simple power cord, though it can be secured more readily or even connected via formal wiring to your power box, depending on the circumstances. Again, a pre-installation inspection of the area can help you and your plumber hash out some specifics.
If you think a brand new sump pump would be a good fit for your Austell, GA home, call the pros at Quick Action Plumbers to schedule a consultation session today!