How a Sump Pump Saves You in a Flood
Due to its heavy rainfall and proximity to large bodies of water, Toronto is no stranger to flooding. In the worst-case scenario, floodwater could cause your home to become unstable and even collapse, so you’ll want to take action now.
A good sump pump can help here. It removes excess water from your home, preventing flooding that leads to serious structural problems. Sump pumps are particularly useful in areas of the city with elevated water tables.
That said, sump pumps can sometimes cause the problem they are trying to solve. When this equipment malfunctions, it can’t remove water properly, potentially resulting in a flood. That’s why it’s important to make sure your sump pump works correctly.
Below, learn more about how sump pumps protect your home from water damage and how to prevent sump pump flooding.
How Do Sump Pumps Work?
A sump pump collects excess water from a basement, crawl space, or other low-lying area and directs it outside your home via a discharge line. This stops water from gathering in one spot and causing damage.
During a flood, excess water can gather in your property, leading to problems like mold, wood rot, and pest infestations. Floodwater can also put pressure on joists, beams, and other structural components, threatening your home’s safety.
A sump pump overcomes these challenges by collecting water that accumulates in a sump pit or basin located at the lowest point of your home. When water reaches a certain height in the pit or basin, the sump pump channels it away, creating a drier environment.
Maintaining this equipment is essential. Sump pump flooding can occur if the device breaks down or becomes overwhelmed with too much water, which might happen after a very heavy storm.
One way to stop a sump pump flood is to get an expert to install a system with a secondary pump, which can serve as a backup if you experience unexpected water volumes. Also, investing in a sump pump with a battery backup can prevent your home from flooding during power outages.
Can I Install a Sump Pump Myself?
Setting up a sump pump system is complicated. If you don’t do it properly, you could increase the chances of a flood. For example, an incorrectly installed discharge line can cause water to back up into a sump pit or basin and overflow.
Call in the experts at Groundworks instead. We can add a new sump pump to your home or upgrade your current model. Our experts can also recommend other waterproofing solutions, such as crawl space insulation and basement wall vapor barriers. Serving Toronto and the wider area, we have all your home repair needs covered.
Sump Pump Options
To protect your home against flooding, Groundworks offers three different sump pump systems:
- AquaStop™ Mini/Single Sump Pump System: This system has a SafeDri™ cast iron pump, typically a SafeDri™ 1/3 hp pump, that can remove over 2,000 gallons of water per hour. It’s a good choice for smaller basements or crawl spaces.
- AquaStop™ Single with Battery Backup: This option has a backup battery to remove floodwater during power outages. It can remove over 11,500 gallons of water per hour.
- AquaStop™ Triple Sump Pump System: Our most robust sump pump system has three separate pumps: one for regular water removal, a secondary pump, and a battery backup pump for power outages.
Contact our team to learn which system is best for your needs.
Trust Groundworks To Protect Your Home From Flooding
Don’t let a flood ruin your home. Groundworks has a selection of custom-engineered sump pump systems that remove water from your crawl space or basement, keeping you and your family safe. We also offer annual maintenance checks to ensure your system works properly, preventing a sump pump flood.
