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A sump pump sounds like something your friend living in the Midwest would have at their house. After all, sump pumps are best known for keeping basements dry and Los Angeles is not exactly known for having a lot of basements.
However, sump pumps are absolutely a must-have when it comes to keeping your home and, more importantly, its foundation on stable footing. Sump pumps safeguard your home against any water damage.
But Los Angeles is so dry – why would a homeowner have to worry about water damage? In fact, Los Angeles had its two wettest winters on record in 2022 and 2023. Not only that, our climate is best characterized as spectacularly sunny followed by brief bouts of extreme rain.
Water is one of the most destructive forces on the planet. It is not something you want creeping (or flooding) into that crawl space under your house (or your basement, if you are one of the few fortunate Angelinos with one). That’s why a sump pump is imperative to the safety of your home’s foundation.
A sump pump moves water from your basement or crawl space to the outside of your home. The “sump” in sump pump is a pit that is dug below the main surface of your basement or crawl space. This pit holds the pump.
The pump has valves that can sense when water levels or pressure is rising. When the water level gets too high, the sump pump will pump the extra water out of your basement or crawl space and away from your home using a discharge line. This line takes the water away to another designated area – ideally 10 to 20 feet away from your home. And voila, you have just gotten rid of all that extra water that wanted to flood under your home.
Most people living in and around Los Angeles probably think that earthquakes cause the most damage to foundations. That would be wrong. Water actually causes more damage. If you think about it, there are far more rain storms than there are major earthquakes in LA.
Water can wreak havoc on your foundation. In more extreme situations, it can crack the foundation. More likely is that the water will cause soil erosion under your foundation, causing your home to “settle” which causes, you guessed it, more cracks. Not only that, but all that moisture under the house creates a fantastic home for mold. Trust me, you do not want mold growing in your home.
With a sump pump, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and money from dealing with water damage.
As with most other home improvement projects, your best bet to avoid any headaches is to call a licensed contractor to do the job. A contractor can assess your home and its surrounding landscape to determine where to install the sump pump underneath your home and where to direct the water that is being pumped out.
When shopping around for sump pumps, there are four main types to choose from.
Submersible sump pumps: These are the quietest of the sump pumps. They sit submerged in the water basin in your crawl space or basement. These pumps have the pump and motor in one unit. Because they are submerged, they are quieter, but they may not last as long as other types of sump pumps. However, they are a good option for flood-prone homes.
Pedestal sump pumps: Unlike the submersible sump pump that sits in a water basin, the motor of a pedestal sump pump sits on a pedestal above the basin (hence its name), with a hose running down to the basin where the pump is placed. The pump sends the water through the hose and out of your house. Because the motor isn’t submerged, it makes it easier to fix it, as needed, and the model has a higher life span. However, because the motor is on a pedestal, it can be a bit noisy.
Water-powered backup: Another option is a water-powered backup. This uses the power of water pressure to clear the water in your basin. Using water to get rid of extra water may seem contradictory, but it does work. Plus, with a water-powered system you don’t need to check the backup or replace any batteries.
Battery-powered backup: This is a great option during our heavy winter storms. The high winds we experience often times knocks out the electricity. A battery backup allows your sump pump to operate during that crucial time, even if the electricity isn’t on.
Regular maintenance is necessary with a sump pump. You don’t want to install it and ignore it! In general, you should check your pump every year before the rainy season. Just follow these simple steps:
Test it. Pour a bucket of water slowly into the sump pump. If it doesn’t turn on, the pump may be broken or clogged.
Clean it. After you unplug the sump pump, remove the pump’s lid and remove any dirt, gravel or debris that may be in it. Also, check the drainage lines to see if they are blocked.
Check it. A sump pump’s moving parts wear out over time. The float switch is the most common part to fail. In fact, many manufacturers recommend replacing the float every two years.
Inspect the water discharge area. Make sure water is being directed at least 10 to 20 feet away from your home. Also make sure the water is flowing and isn’t clogging along the way.
In general, sump pumps have a shelf life of between 7 to 10 years. Not sure you can handle the maintenance? You can always call a plumber or a licensed contractor to help you out.
Ready to install a sump pump? Give us a call. We have the knowledge and know-how to assess your home’s drainage system for any potential problems and fix them.