| An important component
of basement perimeter drain systems is the sump pump.
The effectiveness of the drain system is dependent on the operation of
the pump. Sure … other things, like blocked drain pipes can
occur, but most perimeter drain system failures are caused by sump pump
malfunction. This article covers:
* Types of Sump Pumps and Terminology
* Common Causes of Pump Failure and How to Avoid It
* How to Shop for a Sump Pumpsn.nfs-most wanted
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Types of Sump Pumps and Terminology
Typically the pump is selected by the drain system installer. Most
pumps work in similar ways and have similar parts.
There are three types of pumps used for dewatering basements or crawl
spaces. These are:
Pedestal Type -- Also referred to
as a column type or upright, the pedestal sump pump has an open motor
that is supported on top of a column attached to the pump casing. When
installed, the motor sits outside the sump and above the basement
floor. The motor is not designed to be submerged in water.
Submersible Type -- This pump uses
a watertight motor designed to be immersed in water. The motor is
coupled directly to the pump casing and is designed to be completely
hidden within the sump.
Water-Powered Type --
Water-powered sump pumps work by using city water pressure instead of
electrical power. These pumps do not use electricity.
These pumps require between 40psi and 80psi of water pressure in order
to function. This means these pumps cannot be used if the house gets
its water from a private well.
If the city water pressure drops below the minimum pressure required,
the pump will not work. The amount of water able to be pumped is much
less than other pumps. If the basement has a significant water problem,
these back-up pumps may not be an option.
Primary and Back-up Sump Pumps
Pumps can be installed as either primary or back-up pumps. If there is
only one pump installed, it is a primary pump. Primary pumps are either
powered by 120-volt electricity or water-powered. If two pumps are
installed, it is likely that one pump is primary and one is a back-up.
There are two types of back-up sump pumps:
Emergency DC with Battery Back-up Type
& AC Power Recharging Unit -- These pumps can either
be a pedestal or submersible pump and have a direct current motor. The
pump is powered by a battery pack that is continually charged by a
battery charging unit that plugs into house 120-volt electrical system.
Many of these back-up pump systems come with an alarm system that
sounds if the back-up pump is being used or the battery is not charging
properly.
The manufacturers recommend the batteries be replaced every two years.
This could be a problem if the homeowner forgets to replace the
battery. The batteries usually have a continuous run time of seven to
10 hours which should be plenty of time for the electric utility
company to turn power back on.
Emergency Water-Powered Back-up Type
-- These pumps are described above. These pumps can be used as primary
or emergency back-up pumps. |
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