Plumber Tips: How Does A Sump Pump Protect Against Flooding? | San Antonio, TX
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Does your basement leak after a spring or summer storm? With the way the weather has been these last few years, some weeks it rains every day which may make a home that can usually handle some rain become submerged. Floods can cause a lot of water damage. Even small leaks through the basement foundation can cause a lot of water damage if they’re not properly addressed by a plumber.
If your basement has a small leak or floods during rain storms, then it may be time to consider installing a sump pump. A lot of people are not aware of how a sump pump works, but installing one can make the difference between flood damage and a dry basement. If you are sick of dealing with a wet spot, keep reading to find out a sump pump can help you.
What Exactly Is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a small pump that is dug into the lowest area of your home or yard. They are important if you have a crawl space or basement that floods when it rains. The only way to fix this problem is usually with a sump pump. One nice thing about a sump pump is that it is not constantly running unless you need it the pump will simply sit on standby.
Once the rain starts the soil that surrounds your home gets saturated. At one point the soil will be unable to handle the excess groundwater which is usually when you would have flooding and consider calling a plumber. Once your sump pump is in place the groundwater will flow towards it. The pump will fill which activates it to work.
By design, the pump will funnel the water away from your home to wherever they direct the piping flow. Most people direct the water to the closest storm drain, pond, or dry well. If you aren’t sure where to direct the water, a San Antonio, TX plumber can help you figure out a wise spot. The main objective is to steer it away from your home.
Benefits of Installing a Sump Pump
Weary about the idea of installing a sump pump? Outside of the upfront costs of paying a plumber to install the sump pump, there are a lot of benefits that come with it. In fact, a sump pump can even help protect you from flooding when hurricanes run through San Antonio, TX. Think of it as an extra piece of insurance. Here are a few more ways that installing a sump pump can increase the value of your home and save you money in the long run.
When you protect your basement against flooding, you are protecting the items that are in your basement as well. This is especially important if you have a finished basement. Floods can ruin carpeting, cause tiling to peel up, and ruin the paint on the walls. In addition, it can cause mold, mildew, and fungus to grow in the basement. A small leak in your basement may not seem like something worth calling the professional about, but you will wish you had once you have to deal with mold removal. A call about a sump pump is much less hassle than a call to a mold mediation expert when it is too late.
Even if your basement is not finished, you probably use it for storage. Constant leaks regardless of how big will introduce moisture to the basement. Eventually, this can cause mold to grow in the things you store or increase humidity in the basement. In the end, you will end up losing personal belongings.
It gets worse though because constant moisture also helps encourage termites and other insects to take up residence in your basement. Before long they may travel from your basement into your living space. At this point, you will need a plumber, a mold specialist, and pest removal. Working with a professional can help stop this cycle before it stops.
Finally, remember that your appliances are in the basement or lower floor of your home, and if you have a small leak with the potential to become larger it may damage expensive appliances like your washer, dryer, or freezer. You don’t want to find yourself dealing with flood damage and the costs of replacing an appliance, not when the solution is proactively calling a plumber for help installing a sump pump.
Should I Call a Plumber to Install a Sump Pump?
Now that you know the benefits of a sump pump, you may be trying to figure out whether it is worth calling a plumbing service or not. If you live on a plot of land that is prone to flooding then calling a plumber proactively may not be a bad idea. Some soil simply doesn’t drain well creating the potential for a problem, while for some homeowners their home may be built in front of a hill. In this case, the water drains towards their home creating the propensity for flooding.
If you have a finished basement then it may not be a bad idea to consult with a plumbing service to find out if a sump pump is wise for your property. After all, you want to protect your living space and your investment in the area. In addition, if you have noticed any leaking then this is a sign you should act now before any damage actually occurs.
Now that you are ready to have a sump pump installed, you need a qualified and experienced plumber to help you do it. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio is a local plumbing service with plenty of sump pump expertise. Give us a call today and protect your basement before you suffer a large loss.
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