A sump pump is a device designed to keep water out of your basement. It can be invaluable when heavy rains hit Olympia, WA – which is pretty much most of the year – and if correctly installed can provide years of worry-free protection against the ravages of Mother Nature. It helps to understand what exactly a sump pump can do for you, and how sump pumps work in your home before you make the decision to install one.
Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Sump Pumps’
How Do Sump Pumps Work?
Monday, August 31st, 2015Things to Consider When Installing a Sump Pump
Monday, July 20th, 2015We live in Olympia, WA, which means we deal with a whole lot of rain throughout the year. Heavy rains mean heavy flooding, and if you’re a homeowner, you know how much anxiety that can cause. A sump pump, installed in your basement at the lowest point, acts as a stalwart first line of defense. It pulls water up into it and then ejects it from your basement, keeping your home dry and ensuring that your property doesn’t suffer damage. The decision to install a sump pump is a wise one, but here are a few more things to consider before you make the call.
What are Drain Tiles and How Do They Work?
Monday, June 22nd, 2015Here in Olympia, WA, rain is a way of life. And that means drains and sewer lines need to perform as intended on a moment’s notice. Individual homeowners in the area can use equipment such as sump pumps to keep their basements from getting flooded. But sump pumps can get a lot of help with a proper drain tile system installed in your basement. They require professional installation, but can make a huge difference when the waters start to rise and you’re looking to keep your house dry. What are drain tiles and how do they work? Read on for the answers.
What to Look for in a Sump Pump
Monday, April 20th, 2015Shopping for a sump pump may not be as exciting as looking for a new car, but it is an important component for your home, especially if your basement or crawlspace tends to take on water. Sump pumps aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of appliance, so it’s important to know what you should be looking for when considering the use of a sump pump for your Olympia, WA, home. To help you, our Brooks Plumbing experts have put together a few things to keep in mind when choosing a sump pump.
3 Reasons You Need a Sump Pump
Friday, August 16th, 2013A sump pump is a small pump placed in your basement in order to keep it dry. The sump pump is either submerged in the sump pump or installed on a pedestal above the sump basin, which makes it easier to service. When floodwaters start to fill the pit, the sump pump moves the water out of the building so the basement itself can stay dry. In Olympia, WA, where plumbing systems fight a constant battle against the frequent rains, sump pumps are an absolute necessity. Here are three reasons why you need a sump pump in your home.
- Your basement will probably flood sooner or later. Olympia experiences some of the highest rainfall levels in the country, and when the rains come, they tend to stick around a while. That makes basement floods very likely, and when that happens, a sump pump is your best line of defense.
- You don’t need to wait for help. With a sump pump in place, the draining starts quickly and continues as long as the pump (and the flooding) holds out. Contrast that to a situation where you need to use a hand pump, or call a plumber to help drain your basement. Time gets lost and if the flooding takes place during a major storm, it could be quite a while before someone can get to you for help. A sump pump in place means not having to sweat out a service call in the middle of inclement weather.
- They are relatively inexpensive to install and maintain. While sump pumps require the services of a professional plumber to install properly, the procedure is relatively straightforward, and the up-front costs are minimal. When you compare it to the damages caused by rising flood waters, to say nothing of the fuss and bother of draining your basement after the rains subside, the cost becomes even more appealing.
If you want to install a sump pump in your basement or crawlspace, call upon an Olympia plumber who knows the ins and outs. Brooks Plumbing can handle sump pump installation and maintenance in Olympia. Contact us today to set up a consultation.
Plumbing Tips: Benefits of a Sump Pump
Monday, June 3rd, 2013If your basement is prone to flooding, you had best contact a professional plumber to discuss the installation of a sump pump in your home. Sump pumps are a great way to protect your home and your possessions from water damage. It is necessary that your sump pump installation is completed by a qualified Olympia plumbing professional. That is why you must schedule your sump installation with an Olympia, WA plumber at Brooks Plumbing. When you work with a professional plumber on our team, you will have no doubts about the quality of the service that you receive. Our plumbers have the years of training and experience necessary to ensure that your sump pump is there for you when you need it most.
A sump pump is installed in your basement, and is responsible for pumping any water that leaks into your basement to the appropriate drainage channel. Positioned at the lowest point of your basement, water will naturally head towards your sump pump, allowing it to relocate that water to more appropriate area than your basement floor. There are a number of benefits to the installation of a sump pump in your home, assuming that you have yours professionally installed for maximum performance levels.
First of all, even relatively small amount of water can do serious damage to your home and any possessions in your basement. Most basements are used as storage areas, and the items stored therein can be subjected to water damage or even mold growth if surrounded by a damp, musty atmosphere. Any appliances may be damaged and rust if water pools around them as well. Plus, wooden components in your basement may rot if they are constantly damp. Your home and your possessions are too important to be subjected to such issues. Contact Brooks Plumbing today with any questions you may have about the benefits of a sump pump.
Call now to speak with a sump pump specialist at Brooks Plumbing. We have the answers to all your questions and can help you decide if a sump pump installation is right for your home. Whatever your Olympia plumbing needs may be, Brooks Plumbing is the company you can count on for outstanding service.
Plumber Tip: How To Prevent Plumbing Clogs And Other Common Problems
Monday, April 22nd, 2013Nothing shuts your home down quite like a plumbing problem. Whether it’s a collapsed sewer line, or a major drainpipe blockage, your home can quickly become a health hazard during a clog. While some problems are inevitable, there are some major preventive steps you can take to reduce the change of a clog blocking your wastewater plumbing system. In this post, we’d like to share with you some ways you can prevent plumbing clogs and other common problems. For more info, or to make an appointment with an Olympia, WA plumber, call Brooks Plumbing today!
- Install a grease trap. Grease, as well as fats and oils, is a major source of plumbing problems in the majority of homes. When we wash our pots and pans in warm water, the grease appears to be liquid, but as it cools, grease solidifies into a gel-like substance, which can quickly accumulate within the interior of your pipes. Installing a grease trap just after the drain to your sink or dishwasher is a great way to reduce the risk of clogging your drains with grease. If you cook a lot, or are otherwise concerned about your kitchen drainpipes, consider a grease trap.
- Schedule a drain cleaning. Professional drain cleaning is the best preventive measure you can take against the risk of plumbing clogs. A qualified Olympia, WA plumber will have the right equipment and skill-set to approach drain cleaning carefully, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals to ensure that your plumbing remains structurally sound and working well.
- Install a sump pump. If you’re at all concerned about whether the contents of your basement are safe from water, consider installing a sump pump. Moist and flooded basements are common problems for many homes. A sump pump sits either submerged or upright in a pit at the lowest part of your basement. It’s a great way to protect your belongings, or your basement itself if it’s unfinished.
These are just a few ways you can prevent plumbing clogs and other problems from damaging your home. For more information, or to hire an Olympia, WA plumbing expert, contact Brooks Plumbing today!
Plumbing FAQ: Common Sump Pump Problems
Monday, March 18th, 2013Sump pumps protect our basements from flooding. Because our basements are below ground, they are prone to flood first in the event of a rapid increase in the level of water in the ground. A sump pump is a simple device that removes water from your basement and sends it to a drainage system. Because they are placed at the lowest spot in the basement, in a small pit, they are able to handle water first before it reaches the rest of the basement floor. We depend on them to protect our basement from water damage. Like any other mechanical device, however, your sump pump can require repair at some point in its life. We’ve gathered together a list of some common sump pump problems that may help you. If you need a plumber in Olympia, WA, call Brooks Plumbing Company.
- Insufficient pumping. Occasionally, your sump pump may be overwhelmed by the amount of water flooding into your basement. It may not be powerful enough, or it may be old and at the end of its service life. It’s important to install only high quality sump pumps and to make sure they are professionally installed. That way, you can be prepared for flooding.
- Clogged. If your sump pump does not have a lid, dirt and debris can easily begin to fill that space and cause the unit to clog. Alternatively, if your sump pump sits directly on the bottom of the pit, it is prone to clogging.
- No power. If your sump pump has no power, then it cannot hope to prevent flooding. Your circuit breaker may have tripped or you may have blown a fuse. Maybe you unplugged the sump pump by accident. It’s probably a good idea to install a battery backup for your pump, so that it can continue to work if this happens again.
These are some of the most common plumbing problems. Remember, it’s important to take care of any problems so that your home is prepared for the worst. It’s often impossible to know when flooding is going to occur, so make sure your sump pump is always in good working order. Need a plumber in Olympia? Call Brooks Plumbing Company today!
Sump Pump Tip: How to Maintain Your Sump Pump
Monday, December 10th, 2012While the sump pump in your Lacey WA area home should rarely have issues, it is important to maintain it so that you don’t have any problems. If your sump pump breaks down, you could find yourself facing a flooded basement or major water damage to your home.
Here at Brooks Plumbing, we want to help you maintain your sump pump with a few maintenance tips.
Test the Float Switch
Most sump pumps are submersible pumps that are installed inside an open well. Like the floater inside a toilet tank, the float switch will turn on the pump once the water reaches a certain level. Occasionally check it by lifting it for a second to see if it turns on the motor. If not, check to make sure it is plugged in or that there’s not a blown fuse. Call a technician if the float switch isn’t working.
If your motor is constantly running, this means that the float switch is stuck in the on position. This could cause the motor to burn out, so unplug the pump and see if you can clear out any debris stuck underneath the float switch. If that doesn’t work, call a plumber.
Clean the Well and Filters
Try to keep your basement area clean so that debris doesn’t fall into the well. Also, check the filters on the pump and clean out anything that can cause a clog. Call a professional if you aren’t sure how to do this.
Check for Other Damages
Submersible pumps are more susceptible to corrosion and other damages, so check for rust and other obvious damages. Call a Lacey WA plumber at Brooks Plumbing if you notice any problems with your sump pump. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!
Plumbing Tip: How Sump Pumps Work
Monday, September 24th, 2012In areas like Olympia, WA, a sump pump acts as a primary line of defense against water getting into your home and causing damage to your basement, garage or bottom floor. These devices are actually quite simple to operate and relatively affordable to have installed, so they represent a very effective, highly recommended option for anyone with water issues in their Olympia home.
If you are having such a problem and are interested in learning more about what a sump pump does and why it is such a good investment, here are a few more details about them and how they work.
Sump Pump Technology at Work
A sump pump is exactly what it sounds like – a pump installed in the bottom floor of your home or basement, if you have one, that removes water before it can back up and create a problem. When the system is installed, a secondary drainage system is usually installed that will funnel water into a pit somewhere in your basement. As water fills this pit, a float rises and eventually triggers a switch on the sump pump.
The sump pump then turns on and starts removing water from that pit, pumping it into a drainage pipe or sewer line (depending on your municipal regulations regarding sump pump installation). The result is no water in your basement and a very efficient means of removing the water from your home.
Because the system consists of nothing more than a simple pump and some drain tiles to funnel water into the pit, it is relatively affordable to install and requires minimal maintenance – usually just a quick inspection once a year and a test during dry months of pouring water into the pit to ensure it comes on. Not bad for a device that will actively keep water out of your home for years to come.
If you’d like to install a sump pump in your home’s basement, call Brooks Plumbing today! Our Olympia, WA plumbing technicians are experts in sump pump installation and repair.
