No matter the season, rain is common in Oregon. Though the wet climate helps encourage beautiful landscapes, it can cause issues for plumbing. A sump pump is one of the things that the plumbing industry has created to prevent families and homes from being too impacted by heavy rains, flooding, or melting snow.
What Are Sump Pumps?
Sump pumps are installed in the basement of homes to help pump out water that has seeped into the house. Portable versions of sump pumps exist, but most of them are in holes called sump pits, which are usually about two feet deep and a foot and a half wide.
How Do Sump Pumps Work?
When professionals install sump pumps, they will attach a pipe to the pump that runs up and releases the water away from the foundation of the house. The pipe is often designed with a valve called a check valve that keeps the water from coming back down the pipe and into the basement.
The device is designed so that the water from rainfall will flow into the sump pit instead of leaking into your home, causing flooding or rotting. When a certain amount of water is in the pit, the pump begins working and starts pumping out the water. The sump pump senses the water level by using a float, similar to toilet tanks. Once the float reaches a specific height in the pit, the pump turns on.
To push the water up and through the pipe attached to the pump, most sump pumps are built with a device that operates similar to a fan. Once the float activates the sump pump, the fan turns on and forces the water up the pipe.
Most sump pumps are powered by electricity. However, since sump pumps are the most vital during heavy storms, specialists recommend that you keep a battery-operated sump pump in your home in case the storm causes the electricity to go out. If you are caught without a sump pump in the middle of a storm, water may seep into your home and could do serious damage to your possessions and the structure of your house.
Sources:
https://www.squareoneinsurance.com/sump-pump
