Does your basement flood during the rainy season? If yes, you need a sump pump to protect your home from flooding and water damage. These cylindrical devices or pumps are usually placed in the lowest point of the basement. Best of all, you have the option of customizing your sump pump to fit your needs and budget. This post guides you through the process of creating a custom sump pump plan.
Research Some Different Plumbing Experts
Sump pump installation is often complex and daunting. And it’s even more demanding when you need a custom sump pump. Luckily, various experts can help you install your sump pump professionally. You just have to find the right one.
Sump pump installation typically falls under plumbing services. So, ideally, you’ll need a plumber to help you install your sump pump. But with so many local plumbing contractors available, finding the right plumber can be daunting. Luckily for you, we have some tips to help you find the right plumbing expert.
First, remember that it’s not guaranteed that all plumbers can install a custom sump pump. Some plumbers don’t have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform this service. And if you install your sump pump incorrectly, it could lead to problems and maintenance issues down the line. So, you must have the right expert installing your sump pump.
You can get a good plumber through referrals from family or friends. Simply ask anyone close to you if they know of any local plumber who can install a custom sump pump. Online reviews and testimonials can also help you find the right plumbing expert. The goal is to find a trusted, licensed, experienced plumber for this service.
Consider Both Sump Pump and Septic Treatments
Sump pumps and septic treatments serve different purposes. And they aren’t directly related to each other. However, if you’re considering installing a custom sump pump, you might also want to consider septic treatments.
Remember, sump pumps remove excess water in your basements or crawl spaces. They are mainly used to prevent flooding and water damage by pumping out water. These devices are especially essential in areas with high water tables or where flooding is a common concern.
On the other hand, septic treatments are products used to enhance the performance and maintenance of septic systems. They are designed to help break down solid waste in the septic tank and promote efficient decomposition. They also help prevent clogs and septic system failures.
However, your custom sump pump should never discharge into your septic tank. Additionally, both installations have specific requirements. For instance, while a local plumber can help install a sump pump, septic systems are often installed by septic pumping professionals. Therefore, you’ll need to seek septic pumping services.
Discuss if You Require Wastewater Support
Your sump pump is primarily designed to manage excess water accumulation, like rainwater or groundwater, or potential flooding in basements. It’s not meant to handle wastewater from your household plumbing fixtures. Therefore, you may not need wastewater support like you would for a septic system.
Wastewater is used water. This means the water has substances like food, human waste, soaps, oils, and chemicals. But in most cases, the water being targeted by the sump pump doesn’t contain these substances. It’s simply rainwater that settles in low areas such as basements.
As a result, you may not need wastewater treatment services. All you’ll need is the sump pump to draw the excess water and direct it to a drain pipe or any other suitable area away from your home. But if the water contains waste substances, you might consider wastewater support. Harmful substances that wash off parking lots, roads, and rooftops can harm rivers, lakes, and the general environment. And this is why wastewater must be treated before being released into the environment.
Decide if You Need to Update Your Water Filtration
There’s no direct relationship between your sump pump and the water filtration system. However, if you’re thinking of installing a custom sump pump, you might want to consider updating your water filtration. Your water filtration system removes impurities, contaminants, and potentially harmful substances in your water, making it safe for domestic use. The system ensures that all the water from your taps is safe and of excellent quality.
A sump pump, on the other hand, manages excess water accumulation in basements and other low areas where water is likely to settle after a heavy downpour. So, there’s no direct link between the water you use at home and that which settles in your basement. However, you still need to decide whether to update your water filtration before installing a custom water sump.
Remember, your sump pump’s operation might alter water quality or sources. This is especially if the device manages water infiltration from sources that could introduce contaminants to your water sources. In this case, you’ll need to monitor your filtration system more closely and, if possible, update them more often to ensure water quality.
Pause on Updating Your Bathroom Until Your Water System is Fixed
Were you renovating or remodeling your bathroom? If so, you might want to halt the project and focus on the water problem first. We don’t recommend updating your bathroom when you still have a faulty water system. Instead, you want to stop the bathroom remodel and fix the water system. But why is this so?
First, this move can save you time, money, and potential complications in the long run. For instance, if your water system is compromised, any work done during a bathroom remodel could be undone or damaged due to water leaks and pressure issues, among other plumbing-related problems. Therefore, we advise fixing the water system first to protect your bathroom updates from potential water damage.
Also, fixing your water system first will help save on repairs. Remember, water leaks or pressure problems may cause extensive and costly repairs to your bathroom updates. These issues could force you to tear apart your newly renovated bathroom in order to fix underlying plumbing issues. This will be costly and waste a lot of your time.
Once your water system is taken care of, you can proceed to renovate your bathroom. Remember to find the right contractor for the project. With many bathroom contractors available today, it’s easy to fall prey to a rogue contractor.
Determine if You Have Tree Roots Disrupting Your Water Pipes
You might think it’s only rainwater that drains in your sump basin. However, a leakage from your plumbing system could release excess water draining into the sump basin or pit. And as you know, water settles at the lowest part of the ground.
So, if your basement is flooding, you might want to check your plumbing system. You could have a burst pipe that could cause damage to your plumbing system and your home. And one of the most significant causes of underground water pipe and sewer line damage is tree roots. This happens when the roots grow into or around pipes, causing blockages, leaks, and structural damage.
Naturally, tree roots are drawn to moisture sources. So if you have an underground pipe, they’ll move in that direction, searching for water and nutrients for their growth. Underground water pipes and sewer lines offer a consistent moisture supply, making them attractive targets for root growth. And as the roots grow, they exert significant pressure on the pipes leading to cracks, fractures, and eventual pipe breakage.
Therefore, you should refrain from planting trees above underground water pipes. If you’ve hired a landscape contractor to design your garden, ensure they know where your water pipes run through. And if you must plant trees near water lines, go for slow-growing, shallow-rooted species. You could also install barriers or chemical treatments to deter root growth toward pipes.
Choose a Professional to Remove Unwanted Tree Roots
If you have trees growing near or above your water pipes, the safest thing to do is to get rid of the trees and the roots. But this task is more challenging than you think. Picture the damage you could cause when a tree falls on your roof. This is why we have tree removal services to help you get rid of unwanted trees safely.
But you don’t have to cut down the entire tree. A tree removal company has the expertise and experience to remove tree roots. They understand root types, how they grow, and the potential impact of root removal on the tree’s health and stability.
Removing tree roots without proper knowledge can seriously harm the trees’ health. This is especially if you want to still maintain the tree but prevent damage to your underground water pipes. A tree removal professional will assess the roots and identify those which can be removed without affecting the tree.
Additionally, roots help trees maintain their stability. So if you remove the trees incorrectly, you could compromise the tree’s stability increasing the risk of a fall. A tree removal company will help remove unwanted roots without affecting their stability. These professionals have the right equipment and tools for efficient and safe root removal. This minimizes the risk of accidents that could result from tree falls.
Ask About the Health of Your Water Drainage in General
If you have a flooding issue in your home, it’s essential to check your water drainage to ensure it’s in the right health. Poor drainage may cause water accumulation leading to basement leaks, flooding, and structural damage. So before you think of installing a custom sump pump, have someone examine the health of your water drainage.
A good drainage system channels water away from your home’s foundation. So if your drainage is good, you won’t even need a custom sump pump because there will be no flooding or water issues. Remember, water can be disastrous to your home. For instance, stagnant water can create an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.
Also, water can pool in your yard, damaging your landscaping, drowning your plants, and creating breeding grounds for pests. Moreover, water could cause erosion as it washes away topsoil, destabilizing your landscape and slopes.
You can do a visual inspection to check the health of your water drainage and identify possible signs of damage to components. You can also examine the grading around your home to ensure it slopes away from the foundation. If water isn’t draining properly or pooling, hire grading and drainage contractors to address the issue.
Schedule Regular Lawn Support to Maintain Your Water Drainage Health
A well-maintained lawn supports proper water drainage and prevents water pooling, soil erosion, and drainage blockages, among other issues. Therefore, proper lawn care is important. And you should make it a habit, not a one-time task.
So how do you conduct lawn support? There are various ways to promote the health and appearance of your lawn. For instance, you can mow your grass using a sharp mower blade. When doing so, try to alternate mowing patterns to prevent soil compaction and uneven growth.
Also, aerate your lawn to improve air and water circulation. You can use an aerator to create holes in the soil. This practice minimized soil compaction while allowing nutrients to reach grass roots more effectively.
Hire Professionals to Remove Any Water-Damaged Items
Water damage can have a severe impact on your home. For instance, it could damage items in your home, especially those made of wood. While you may want to leave these items, it’s best to remove them to prevent further issues. However, ensure you hire the right professionals to help you remove any item damaged by water in your home.
For instance, you might need a garbage hauling service to help remove water-damaged items from your home. This is important, especially if you have no transport means or place to dispose of the items. The garbage removal company has the equipment and tools to safely handle all your water-damaged items.
Are you ready to create your custom sump pump plan? We hope the steps above will help you navigate the process effectively and efficiently. If you have any questions or concerns about sump pumps, feel free to contact us.