Article by Herb Mansfield

Water damage… the bane of the home owner. You’ve spent countless hours renovating and finishing your basement, so the threat of flood water, mould, and damage is bound to strike terror in your heart. You’re not alone, and you’re not defenceless. A water powered sump pump is the saviour of the finished basement.

How do water powered sump pumps work?

Consisting of four major parts – a ground-water collection system, a sump tank, a pump and an outlet drain – water powered sump pumps can be the most reliable defence mechanisms against basement flood water.

Ground water produced by rain is collected in drainage tiles that are buried along the foundation of your home. In some cases, tiles are buried under the basement floor as well. These tiles collect and channel water into what is called a sump tank that is installed in the floor of your basement. When collected ground water fills the tank to a certain level, a float or switching device activates the pump which in turn will drain the tank.

Water is drawn through a filter trap (which must be cleaned on a regular basis), and then pumped out of a discharge pipe or hose to a location well away from your home. Those models that connect directly to a sewage system may be comprised of an anti-siphon mechanism that will prevent back-flow. City bylaws in your area dictate where the water must be discharged.

Do sump tanks vary?

Sump tanks can be fashioned from different materials. The most commonly used materials are: clay, tile, steel, concrete, fibreglass or polyethylene. Though there is also a variance in the size of tanks, the average sump pit is approximately eighteen inches in diameter and two to three feet in depth. Situated in the low point of a dwelling’s basement, most tanks have holes on either side to accommodate incoming drainage tiles. Heavy lids are recommended on such tanks to prevent harm or injury to children. Depending on your home’s dimension, it might be necessary to have more than one sump tank installed.

Sit back and relax

With the protection of a water powered sump pump, your rainy days will no longer be spent worrying or vacuuming up water from the floor of your beautifully finished basement. Rainy days can be spent reading and watching movies.

Water pressure backup pumps to avoid flooding – no electricity needed

Whether you live in an area prone to tropical storms or not, your home can be subject to flooding due to excess rainfall. Your house is not only a place to hang your hat, but it is also an investment and a place of refuge for you and your family. Because it is so important, it must be protected from the wrath of the elements at all costs. “Let the rains come” you might say, knowing that your basement is equipped with a powerful electrical sump pump system. However, electricity is not 100% reliable as many storms can cause power failures. Would you not feel safer with a backup protection device in place that runs without auxiliary power? Water pressure backup pumps which run off municipal water will save the day when the lights go out and your electricity powered sump pump system shuts down.

How powerful is a water pressure backup pump?

Even under the heaviest rainfalls and worst storm conditions, a water powered backup pump is a solid defence against flood damage in your home. With the ability to remove a quantity of up to 1,324 gallons of water per hour, these types of pumps are the only kind in existence that are compatible with your ¾” municipal water supply pipes. With ease, your water pressure backup pump will mount on the ceiling above your primary sump pump system, and will work simultaneously with it should the need present itself. Because not all climates are the same, and not all areas are similarly prone to heavy rainfall, there are multiple models available to suit your particular needs (for a detailed table displaying the pumping capacity of different models please click here)

What other advantages do water pressure backup pumps provide?

With pollution hitting all time highs, there is a big crunch to protect the environment as it most definitely causes adverse effects on our health. Because water pressure backup pumps are powered by water pressure, there is no need to be concerned about battery disposal, gas or other adverse environmental effects of generating electricity.

About the Author

Herb Mansfield is a master plumber in the province of Quebec, Canada. He has over 35 years experience in the plumbing field. He is now lending his expertise to the Sump Pump Info.