Water damage, with even as little an amount of water as one inch, can wreak havoc. It can destroy valuable documents and belongings as well as compromise the structure or your building. With the potential for great loss, you may want to consider sump pump installation in Tucson area homes and businesses. Following are four basic facts about sump pumps that can help you determine what is right for you. Until recently, builders rarely built homes in Arizona with basements so many Arizona residents are unfamiliar with sump pumps and their purpose.
A typical sump crock and pump system. Photo credit: Steam Boilers.org
How They Work
Sump pumps are systems that are installed in the basement of a building. A tank is placed underneath the ground at the lowest point in the floor. Water flows into the tank, which can hold up to 25 gallons. Once the water level reaches a certain point, it is pumped out of the tank and away from the foundation of the building.
Basement Water in a Desert
Most of Tucson does not reside on a high water table, so for most of the year, water seeping into the basement is not a problem. However, during the monsoon season from June through September, water in the basement could become a huge problem. When the rain is pouring down, flooding can occur. Also, during this season, the ground can become saturated leaving the water with no place to go. In either of these cases, water can flow into a basement through cracks in the floor or foundation walls, through holes in the walls left by pipes or cables, or through the small joint space where the floor and the wall meet.
Another method where water enters the basement is through a broken pipe. If the broken pipe goes undetected, like during the weekend while a business is closed, the damage can be extensive.
Different Types of Systems
You can get either an electric system or a manual system. With the electric system, the motor is off until the water reaches a certain level in the tank. Once it hits that level, it triggers a switch that turns on the motor and begins to pump the water out of the tank. This is ideal for Tucson residents who won’t need the system for most of the year. With the manual system, it needs to be turned on physically for the motor to work. This type is most often used where electricity is not readily available near the spot where you need to install the system.
Those Who Need a Sump Pump
Professionals recommend sump pump installation for any Tucson building that has a level underneath the ground. This includes basements, crawl spaces, and cellars. Relatively speaking, it is rather inexpensive insurance against basement flooding, either from broken water pipes or monsoon rains. Call a Roto Rooter Rep today for more information.
