My Drain Company Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Sump Pumps’

Are you prepared for a potential flood in your home? Here in Southern California, many homeowners don’t take the time to think about the effect of flooding on their home. In other areas of the country where storms and high water tables are common, people take the right steps to prevent flooding from damaging their property, ruining their belongings, and allowing the growth of mold and mildew. In our part of the country, we tend to neglect this possibility, which could easily prove to be a preventable mistake.

Even in our part of the country, flooding is a very real possibility. You read about it in the newspapers and hear about it from friends and neighbors: flooding does occur when a home is poorly suited to handle harsh whether and when pipes burst. And even a small amount of water can be a big issue. Water damages irreplaceable relics and eats away at the foundation of a home. A pool of water can be a breeding ground for bacteria or produce mold spores which your family members then breathe in, spurring illness and aggravating respiratory problems.

You can protect your home with a plumbing installation known as a sump pump. Sump pumps drain water outside before it becomes a problem in your home. We’ll go over the two types of sump pumps here: pedestal pumps and submersible pumps. Call My Drain Company to find quality plumber in Glendale for all of your plumbing installation needs.

Submersible and Pedestal Pumps: Similar Operation but Different Configuration

Both a pedestal pump and a submersible pump rely on the same principles to operate. First, a technician digs a pit, or “sump,” in the ground at the lowest point in your home. This may be in your basement, or at the lowest point of a crawlspace. In any case, a sump pump is placed in the sump and contains a motor. When water fills up the pit, the motor turns on and impels water out through a drain pipe that leads outside.

The only real visual and operational difference is the configuration of the pump. A submersible pump has a waterproof encasement so that it can be submerged inside of the basin. A pedestal pump is perched on a pedestal above the pit instead. In general, you’ll probably purchase whichever type of pump is best for the size of the pit; a smaller pit may only fit a pedestal pump. However, there are a couple of other considerations. A submersible pump may be safer around children and pets, while a pedestal pump is less likely to need repairs.

Do you want to protect your home from damage, increase the property value, and have peace of mind with a new submersible or pedestal sump pump? Call My Drain Company to speak with skilled plumbers in Glendale today!

Tags: Glendale, Sump Pumps
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Thankfully, flooding is fairly uncommon in Southern California, but if a sudden flood does occur, it could ruin your belongings or the foundation of your home. The sewer system that services your house may be unable to handle heavy rainfall, especially in the hilly areas of Glendale. This combined with the possibility of burst pipes is why a sump pump is sometimes necessary.

Calling a plumber to install a sump pump is the best way to protect your possessions from unexpected water damage. This system is usually installed in the basement or the lowest point of your home. As water flows into the basin—the “sump” portion of the sump pump—a motor sucks it out so it can move into the drain pipes instead.

But even if you don’t get a lot of use out of your sump pump, you may need repairs from time to time. Keep an eye out for the following problems, and call on professional plumbers at the first sign of trouble.

• Sump Pump Does Not Turn On: Of course, if your sump pump does not appear to turn on at all, it’s time to call for repairs.
• Strange Noises: Strange noises may indicate a problem with the motor. A professional can assess the problem and decide whether you need a new part or a new system.
• Does Not Evacuate Water Quickly Enough: You should make sure that your unit is capable of draining large volumes of water at a time. If not, it may not have been installed properly, or it may have a faulty component.

Unfortunately, you may not notice these signs until it is too late. It is important that you test your sump pump from time to time to make sure that it can handle heavy volumes of water. One way to do this is by simply pouring water into the collection pit. However, it’s also important to make sure an expert inspects your sump pump as part of your annual plumbing maintenance.

The professional technicians at My Drain Company have experience inspecting, repairing, and maintaining both pedestal sump pumps and submersible models. Whether you need sump pump repair, plumbing maintenance, or sump pump installation, professional plumbers in Glendale are here to help. Give us a call today!

Tags: Glendale, Sump Pumps
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Here in Southern California, sump pumps don’t get a lot of attention. We lack basements in most of our homes, and our overall dry weather means we don’t worry much about flooding. But here in Glendale, plumbing repair services see their share of flooding, especially when the rains come in the fall and the top soil turns our hills into mudslides. A sump pump can be your best friend in such circumstances.

What Is A Sump Pump?

We’ve provided a brief outline below.

A sump pump is placed in a small pit dug at the lowest point of your property. A drain line is run from the pump to the outside of your house and in many cases, the pump needs to be connected to your electrical grid as well. When a flood hits, the water moves to the lowest point in your house, where it enters the pit. A floating sensor activates the sump pump, which spins a centrifugal fan in the center of the system. That pushes the water to the outside of the pump and creates a vacuum at the center, which pulls the water up out of the pit, into the line and out of the house. As a result, your basement is kept dry and the rest of your property remains safe.

As we said, sump pumps see a lot of use back East, where heavy rains and foods are more of a problem. But Glendale’s hilly landscape has made flooding recurring issue for certain households, especially older ones that feature a basement. If you know what a sump pump is and you think you may need one for your home, then now is the time to act: in the summer before the rains start.

Here in Glendale, plumbing repair services like the professionals at My Drain Company can discuss the ins and outs of sump pump repair with you, then help you decide which particular model will fit your needs. We’re absolutely dedicated to your satisfaction and we won’t rest until the job is done right, so give us a call today if you need plumbing repair services in Glendale!

Tags: Glendale, Sump Pumps
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