Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Tennessee Basement

Clarksville, TN - With so many different options out there for sump pumps, trying to choose the best one for your home can be overwhelming. Many sump pumps advertise how great they are, but when tested, that's not the case. When picking a sump pump, you want to get the best one for your money -- failing sump pumps have been regarded as the cause of many flooded basements across the nation.

A sump pump is a two-part system. The "sump" refers to the hole in the ground, combined with the pump that goes in the sump. The sump hole and the pump are both of importance. A sump hole needs to be located at the lowest point of your basement so that the water will naturally drain to it. The pump needs to have the capability of pumping the water up and away from your house; this is called the "head." For example, if you pump the water 2 feet up out of the sump hole, and 7 feel over your basement wall, that's a 8 foot head. The higher the head, the lower the volume of water a pump can push. Be careful:

* Some companies quote how much water their pumps will pump at a three-foot head. What sump pump system has to pump water only three feet high? Even worse, some pump companies will advertise saying "up to XXXX gallons per hour." This is when the pump is at zero head. We want to know what the pump system can pump out of the house, not just what it can swirl around in the sump pit!

Choosing the Right Sump Pump

When choosing the right sump pump, there are some key things to consider. Be wary of:

* Plastic Pumps: These retain heat which causes them to burn out faster.
* Pedestal Pumps: These pumps has low capacity and also cannot be installed into an airtight sump
* Pumps with Screened Inlets: These screens clog easily, which chokes the water flowr
Solution:
* Cast-Iron Pumps: These pumps tend to be quiet, long lasting, and cool well.

Another thing to examine when choosing the right sump pump is the sump pump switch. This switch is very important, as it signals the sump pump to begin working. Be wary of:

* "Ball on a Wire" Switches: These need a big area to swing and can get hung up, which will force the system into an on or off position.
* Pressure Switches: These are not as precise because "on level" can change over time.
Solution:
* Mechanical Float Switches: These float on a rod, are reliable, and have positive "on" and "off" levels.

Backup Sump Pumps

Unfortunately even the best sump pumps can fail. That's why it's so important to have a backup sump pump system installed.

A backup sump pump will prevent against water entering your basement at times like these:
* During a power outage - which is usually caused by a big rain storm
* The primary sump pump coming unplugged
* Circuit breaker tripping
* Primary pump failing
* Primary pump not being about to keep up with the amount of water.