We’ve previously discussed the benefits of sump pumps, with a high level description of their function. Sump pumps are the quiet, unsung hero of your home. And it’s important to make sure you have the best possible type for your home’s needs. There are many types of sump pumps – with the correct sump pump installation for your home, you can sleep well even through the storm.
Let’s go a little deeper and look at two different types and features of sump pumps on the market. This information may help you know what is a good solution for your home.
Submersible Pump
This type of pump is a cylindrical shape with a waterproof encasement. It sits down in the sump pit, so water rises up into its bottom. There is a protective screen on the bottom that prevents debris (soil, vegetation particles, rocks) from entering. When the pump is activated it draws up water through the screen and sends it up to outlet pipes which send it out of the home.
In this design, the motor and pump are submersed in the groundwater in the sump pit. These pumps are relatively quiet. You might hear the sump pump kick on in a storm but it would not be a loud, disruptive sound. In fact, depending on how large your home is, you may not even notice it.
Pros: Many models are on the market and offer a high horsepower capacity. That means it can pump water faster and keep up with any type of storm event, both in intensity and duration. These units are also quiet.
Cons: These units bring a higher price tag than the pedestal pump style. Because they’re submerged, they’re prone to cracks and damage to motor. There is a higher cost and effort to repair or replace submersible pumps.
Pedestal Pump
Pedestal pumps reach down into a sump pit and pump water out from the bottom. It’s shaped like a long column with a circular flat intake head. The motor of the pump is kept on the top of the column out of the water. Because the motor is out of the sump pit, it’s louder than the submersible pump. This pump also sends water out of the house through an outlet pipe.
The pedestal pump is more affordable than the submersible pump. This style of pump is also referred to as a column pump.
Pros: Pedestal pumps have a long life span because they’re mostly out of the water. There’s less prone to water damage to the motor. These units are less costly and there is a lower cost and effort to repair or replace them.
Cons: These pumps are lacking in horsepower. As a result, slower pump speed may not be able to keep up with rising water in a storm. If that happens you have a flood incident.
What do I need?
The short answer: it depends. It depends on how your home is situated, the lay of the land around the house, and where the ground water level starts. For most homeowner, the idea of a sump pump not being able to keep up in a big storm is enough of a factor to make them go with the submersible pump. A battery-back up system is key.
What we can do is provide a free evaluation of your home and provide a recommendation for you, weighing the pros, cons and budget against your home needs and likelihood for flooding.
If you’re looking to have questions answered about installation, replacement, or upgrade of a new sump pump in your home, we would be happy to come by and take a look!
We serve the towns of Joppa, Abingdon, Fallston, Belcamp, Forest Hill, Bel Air, Aberdeen, Baldwin, Hunt Valley, Kingsville, White Marsh, Towson, Fulton, Middle River, Perry Hall and more! Call us or request a quote online!
