1. Clean Crawl Space
Any debris, like leftover building materials, failing insulation, and even animal carcasses, is removed.
Popping open an umbrella to stay dry on a rainy day is simple enough for us, but the crawl space beneath your home doesn’t have it quite so easy. It needs a little extra help to weather the storm. That’s where a sump pump comes in.
A sump pump is the “heart” of your crawl space waterproofing system that keeps water away from the delicate components beneath your house so it can stay standing for years to come.
Let’s explore this essential appliance in-depth so that you’ll be well-equipped to handle any water that makes its way near your crawl space.
Our state is naturally humid and wet (with some locations receiving more than 45 inches of annual rainfall). This water and moisture can easily find their way into your crawl space through open vents, any cracks or gaps, and the dirt floor.
When water and humidity are trapped inside the crawl space and left to fester, they lead to health and safety hazards including:
Along with the installation of other waterproofing and encapsulation solutions, your crawl space, home, and family will benefit from having a sump pump in the crawl space to keep it dry.
Any debris, like leftover building materials, failing insulation, and even animal carcasses, is removed.
A trench is dug along the interior perimeter of the dirt crawl space floor.
Corrugated and perforated pipes are placed in this trench and directed to drain to the sump pump.
Crews determine the lowest point in the crawl space, then dig a hole large enough to accommodate the sump basin or liner, and the basin is placed inside.
Additionally, installers create a rough soil grade to help water flow toward the sump pump.
Depending on the model of the sump pump being installed, one or more pumps are placed in the basin.
Some professionals like JES offer a 1/3 hp primary pump, a ½ or 1/3 hp secondary pump, and a battery backup pump for superior protection.
Water is removed from the crawl space through a discharge line hooked to the basin. It is installed upwards through the basin, horizontally through a crawl space wall, and out of the house. For the best protection, the line is directed far from the home and away from the foundation.
If cold winters and freezing pipes are a concern, an anti-freeze attachment can be added to the exterior sump pump discharge line.
Once the groundwater situation has been handled, further crawl space projects can be completed, including the following:
Like other appliances, a crawl space sump pump is subject to wear and tear. The key to keeping it in good working order is regular maintenance.
However, most crawl spaces are tight areas to work in and can be delicate and dangerous areas, even if they have been properly waterproofed and encapsulated. Plus, a sump pump’s inner workings can be complex and fragile.
It’s best to leave sump pump inspections and maintenance to the pros who have the proper tools and experience to handle the job.
Reputable crawl space repair companies will offer service and maintenance plans to ensure your sump pump and other systems are operating at their highest level to give your home the protection it deserves.
Along with checking systems like the vapor barrier, here are the steps the crawl space technicians will take when servicing your crawl space sump pump:
Read on for more details.
While many sump pump systems are designed to filter out debris, sediment, and silt, it’s important to check the condition of the pump and basin regularly to ensure there are no clogs.
The check valve is what keeps the water being pumped out from cycling back into the sump pump.
This valve inside the discharge line could potentially stick open or closed, so it’s important to make sure it is fully functional and to replace it if needed.
The service tech will pour water into the sump basin to check the operation of the pump and discharge line, including its ability to activate and remove water.
The alarm on your sump pump is like a smoke detector, but for water.
It will sound when something is wrong such as pump failure and high water levels.
Also, like a smoke detector, it’s important to test and change the water alarm’s batteries annually.
The presence of a sump pump in your crawl space, or lack thereof, can make or break the health of your home. If water and moisture cannot be removed under your home, your house can be destabilized, and your family will not have clean air to breathe.
It’s essential to consider the benefits of crawl space waterproofing and your options. A reliable sump pump is an important piece of the puzzle.
But repairing your crawl space on your own can be hazardous and ineffective. Find a local crawl space expert like JES Foundation Repair you can trust to provide long-lasting results on top of friendly service.
Along with a free inspection and estimate and trusted repairs, you also can take advantage of our service and maintenance plans to keep your crawl space protected. Simply call us or fill out our online form to get started today.
Sump pumps are activated by a float switch that detects the water level in the sump basin. The pump runs as long as it needs to pump the water out and lower the water level. For example, the water table is high throughout Virginia, especially during rainy seasons, so it isn’t a problem if the pump runs frequently.
Water in the bottom of your sump pit or sump basin is not uncommon. A certain amount will activate the pump via the float switch, so it’s normal to have some water present under this “activation level.”
Cleaning and maintaining your sump pump are essential to its continued operation. However, these are not DIY projects and should be left to trained professionals with the right tools and experience.
Groundworks Editorial Team
