Flood-prone areas, like South Florida, have a lot to deal with, especially in the heavy storm season when floods are much more common. Water damage across homes is an incredibly difficult thing to deal with, and there are a lot of preventative measures that have to be taken in order to avoid flooding within the home and water damage that can turn someone’s world upside down. One of these preventative measures is sump pumps, which are extremely essential in these areas. All Year Cooling & Plumbing wants to give you a bit more info on sump pumps, what they do, and why they’re so important for areas like South Florida, where flooding is quite common.
What Are Sump Pumps?
Sump pumps are devices that are used to remove accumulated water in a basement or crawl space, in order to prevent it from damaging the foundation of the area. This helps to avoid standing water, which can lead to extensive damage. It works by having a “sump pit” or a basin or hole in the basement floor, which is lined. The drains placed within the flooring direct water to the sump pit to prevent it from piling onto the floor. Then, when the pit becomes full, it triggers the pump and empties the water into a discharge pipe, which carries it away from the foundation of your home or building.
Why Are Sump Pumps Necessary for Flood-Prone Areas?
If you live in a flood-prone area, there’s a more likely chance that you’ll deal with water damage within your home. In these cases, it’s most likely within the basement or crawl space that sees the most damage, as that’s the lowest part of the home. Here are some reasons why sump pumps are necessary for flood-prone areas:
Preventing Flooding
The most obvious reason is to prevent flooding, as it helps to remove that water and direct it away from the foundation, whereas it would otherwise sit in the basement or crawl space and cause flooding within the area.
Protect Your Foundation
Because flooding happens at the very lowest level of your home, your foundation can take a hard hit from water damage, which can cause major weakening and other problems. Directing the water away from your home can protect the foundation and ensure that it doesn’t endure any additional damage.
Avoid Mold and Mildew
Crawlspaces and basements both have more moisture in them based on where they’re located; however, having a sump pump allows you to control or avoid excess mold and mildew within the area.
Lower Insurance Premiums
Homes that have sump pumps in their homes have a lower premium oftentimes because of the reduced risk of water damage. This is especially true in areas like South Florida, where flooding is fairly common in the area.
Types of Sump Pumps
There are multiple types of sump pumps that you can use in your home. Although they all have essentially the same purpose, we’re going to look into each one to showcase how they differ.
Submersible Sump Pumps: These pumps are fully submerged in the basin and are typically quieter than some of the other options. They can also handle more debris and are designed to be more powerful as well.
Pedestal Sump Pumps: These have the motor mounted above the basin pit, and they can be louder than submersible pumps. They are also generally more affordable than a submersible pump.
Battery Backup Pumps: These pumps run on a dedicated battery that continues to work even if power is lost. This is beneficial for areas that get a lot of storms and typically lose power during them. This keeps the pump working and prevents flooding even when the power is out, and other pump options would stop working.
How Do I Know if I Need a Sump Pump?
There are multiple reasons why you might want a sump pump or different scenarios that will point to you needing one. Below are some of the common symptoms or scenarios that you might find that would point to you needing a sump pump. If one or more of these scenarios are true for you, then it’s time to get set up with a consultation about getting a sump pump for your home.
- If you live in an area that gets a lot of rainfall or storms
- If you live in a coastal or low-lying area
- If you’ve had basement or crawl space flooding before
- If you experience musty smells, mildew, or water stains in your basement or crawl space
- If your HVAC equipment is located in a moisture-prone area
Sump Pumps and Home Protection Strategy
When it comes to sump pumps, there are a lot of benefits to having them in your home, but one thing to consider is that it is a part of a full home protection strategy. Sump pumps are integrated with HVAC systems and drainage systems to help with a full strategy for your home. They also work hand in hand to help with air quality and comfort when it comes to moisture control and humidity control.
Florida Residents Need a Sump Pump for Flooding Control
If you live in the Florida area, chances are you’ve been through storms, heavy rain, or even experienced flooding yourself. Sump pumps are an important part of managing this, and they’re essential for residents who want to protect their home from flooding and maintain a dry crawlspace and basement. These pumps are a simple but very powerful addition to your home, and they can save your home from potential water damage.
If you’re a Florida resident and looking to get a sump pump installed in your home, then you should contact us at All Year Cooling & Plumbing. We work with Florida residents and completely understand the difficult climate that comes with living here, which means we are fully equipped to set you up with a sump pump that works for your needs. Contact us, and let’s get you set up with a consultation.