Clearing Up the Confusion About Sump Pumps and Sump Pits

Posted on June 17, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

Homes and most properties retain a sump pit, which is basically a hole in the ground that collects water run-off and other spilled liquids. These are usually located in a lower level of a home or property, like a basement, cellar, or other underground room. Sump pits are imperative for preventing floods and excess water accumulations, especially for properties located in flood zones or near large bodies of water.

Continue reading to learn more about sump pumps and sump pits, including tips on how to prevent overflows and floods on your property.

Sump Pump Plumbers Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Facts About Sump Pumps

Sump pits are man-made holes, or “pits” that are drilled into the floor and lined with concrete or brick, then covered with a grate, making it look similar to a large drain. Sump pits are equipped with a sump pump, which is an appliance that siphons collected water out of a sump pit to prevent overflows and floods. They pump water out periodically, not constantly, as to not waste electricity and energy. In order for the pit and pump duo to function and operation properly, it requires routine maintenance and professional service.

Flood Prevention

As mentioned before, sump pits and sump pumps are vital components for properties located in flood zones. When sump pumps break, properties can be subjected to flooding that is costly and tedious to repair. You wouldn’t want to walk into your basement after a heavy rain to find three inches of water on the ground! Nor would you want to go on vacation, only to come home to a swimming pool in your living room! Sump pits and pumps are very important for all properties, as well as ones located beneath the local water table.

Keeping the gutters in good condition is helpful for preventing water overflow and flooding issues since they can better drain excess water run-off after heavy rain or snow. Mold growth, drywall rot, warped floorboards, and foundation issues are all possible consequences that can result from a flooding catastrophe in or outside of the house.

Where to Get Sump Pump Help

Many things can go wrong with sump pumps, especially the trigger devices and float switches. When your sump pump fails to remove water from your basement, or you have a long power outage during a severe storm, you might come back to an expensive disaster. It is wise to consider replacing your pump every 5-10 years. It is also wise to have a backup plan in place in case of a huge storm or long power outage.

Contact a licensed master plumber in Indianapolis for professional assistance and advice regarding water tables, sump pumps, and sump pits. They retain the proper tools, training, equipment, resources, and experience to accurately diagnose a plumbing or water issue and find solutions that fit within a property owner’s budget. They can also facilitate a pit dig, as well as provide installation, repairs, and maintenance for all make and model sump pumps.

Are you worried about the condition of your sump pump? Do you lack a sump pump and wish to learn more about installing one in your home? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair for sump pumps in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial clients.

General Plumbing Facts About Sump Pits

Posted on September 23, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

For residential and commercial properties, a sump pit brings us into the 21^st century of plumbing and waste management. Fundamentally speaking, it is a man-made hole, or “pit” that is drilled into the floor and lined with concrete, or sometimes even brick, and then covered with a grate, making it look similar to a large drain. They are designed to collect water and other excess liquid runoff and debris. These are generally installed in basements or subgrade levels of a home to prevent flooding and overflow and operated by a plumbing appliance called a sump pump.

Continue reading to learn more about sump pits and sump pumps, and what to do to ensure yours stays operational.

Sump Pump Plumbing Repair Indianapolis 317-784-1870

What are Sump Pumps?

A sump pump is a device that is outfitted to a sump pit for the purpose of removing excess water and liquids from the pit. They are usually connected to a municipal sewer line or storm drain and equipped with a flotation device that forces them to clink at particular levels of flooding. If the power is out, there is a manual lever that allows people to release excess water.

If the water level reaches or exceeds a preset level in the pit, the pump initiates and sucks up enough liquid to remedy the risk of overflow. Since both the sump pit and pump are vital to the overall operation, it is important to provide periodic maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

What are Sump Pits?

Sump pits are extremely helpful for basements. This is especially true for properties located in flood zones, regions with frequent or high precipitation, and areas where the water table is higher than the subgrade level of a home. All of these factors can increase the chances of basement flooding, water leaks, and more. Namely, when the surrounding water table is higher than that of your basement floor, several problems can arise. Health concerns, structural damages, mildew growth, mold remediation, costly remodels, and tedious repairs are just a few examples. For these reasons, it is vital to have a working sump pump and pit.

Maintenance for Sump Pumps

It is important to provide regular maintenance and cleaning for sump pits and pumps. They can grow algae and mold inside, and even become clogged with debris overtime. A professional plumber has the resources and training to implement all your sump pump maintenance and repair needs.

Do you require emergency sump pump service or repair in Central Indiana? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis Indiana plumbing services for sump pumps and more. We carry the most reliable back up system on the market today, the Aquanot ll® Battery Backup Sump Pump, and at the most competitive price around.

You Should Also Read:

Why Won’t My Sump Pump Turn Off After it Rains a Lot?
How to Determine Which Sump Pump Size You Need
Top 7 Reasons Why Sump Pumps Break

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Why Won’t My Sump Pump Turn Off After it Rains a Lot?

Posted on April 23, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

It is still April, and the forecast is showing a lot of rain ahead. So, if you notice that your sump pump seems to run continuously after your area experiences a heavy rainfall, you might be a little concerned right about now. Many often think their sump pump is malfunctioning when this happens. But the truth is, there is a very good reason why a sump pump does this.

Continue reading to find out what you need to know about sump pumps and heavy rains.

Indianapolis Sump Pump Service 317-784-1870

What Your Sump Pump Does

It is okay if you are not entirely sure what your sump pump does, exactly. You are not alone. Many homeowners simply rely on the assumption that their sump pump is operating properly and at full efficiency. However, when you really learn how these units work, you can better diagnose issues when they occur. It can also help you put your mind at ease when your sump pump begins to demonstrate some unfamiliar behaviors, such as the constant running you hear after a heavy rain. See our blog, “What You Need to Know About Your Sump Pump” to get this type of knowledge.

Effects of Heavy Rainfalls

After a heavy storm or long period of steady rainfall, the ground is full with a lot more water than normal. Since sump pumps activate when the pit fills with water to a certain level, the pump will continue to activate itself and pump water out, so long as the ground is still saturated with water from a heavy rain. Basically, it takes longer for large amounts of water to drain from the soul in the ground, which in turn, causes sump pumps to continue working until the water inside the pit is below the trigger line.

Some areas have more permeable soil conditions, so their sump pumps are not overwhelmed with this type of onset of groundwater after a rain. So, if this is something you experience often, it could have something to do with the soil conditions and geography of your area.

Sump Pump Inspection and Maintenance

Your sump pump is a mechanical device, which means it vitally requires regular maintenance and care. In order to ensure your sump pump is working properly and efficiently, have it inspected and serviced by a professional plumber once a year. In addition to professional sump pump service, you also need to keep in mind that if your sump pump is not the proper size or capacity for your particular property, you will need to address that issues as soon as possible, or risk flooding issues eventually. Talk to your trusted plumber for sump pump advice and installation.

Got Sump Pump Problems?

When your sump pump needs service, you need a state-licensed master plumber. Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional master plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services, including sump pump repair and replacement. We even sell top-of-the-line Aquanot ll® Battery Backup Sump Pumps and Zoeller sump pumps below market price! Request a free estimate, today.