Spring is almost here, and with it comes rain… LOTS of rain. In fact, May 2020 was the wettest month on record in the last 150 years in the Chicago area with 8.3 inches of rain. May 2019 wasn’t far behind with 8.25 inches. So, we might expect quite a bit of rainfall this year in April and May especially.
After the thaw here in March, many homeowners have had issues with groundwater wrecking havoc in their basements. We’re in for more than that likely in the months to come. Are you ready?
According to insurance companies, up to 98% of basements in the U.S. will experience some kind of water damage in the life of the home, and as many as 37% of homeowners have reported that they have suffered some loss from water damage. A water damage claim can be extraordinarily costly with the average cost being nearly $7000. Filing insurance claims can have an adverse affect on your insurability and your homeowner’s insurance premiums
Protect Against Water Damage with a Sump Pump
Sump pumps are your #1 best chance to prevent basement flooding during times of high precipitation. A sump pump is a motorized submersible pump which removes water which has accumulated in a sump basin — a hole in the floor of many basements and crawl spaces.
Like any kind of machinery, sump pumps have a finite lifespan. They should be replaced every five to seven years, but that life could be even shorter if you live in an area with excessive moisture such as a flood plain or near a wet lot. Some low-lying areas are created because of the differences between the elevations of different neighborhoods.
Sump pumps should eject water at least ten feet from the house.
There are various sizes of sump pumps including ⅓ horsepower, ½ horsepower, and ¾ horsepower. However, bigger isn’t always better. Most homes only require a ⅓ horsepower pump. Unless your basement has very tall ceilings exceeding 10-12 feet, it’s best to stick with a ⅓-horsepower pump.
Not All Sumps Are Created Equal
You may have a store-bought brand of sump pump in your basement. That’s very common. However, oftentimes these are low-priced inferior products which are prone to failure. DRC Plumbing and Sewer only recommends Zoeller Sump Pumps. This company has been in making high-quality pumps since 1939 in their factory in Kentucky. Buy American – get a Zoeller!
Back-up Your Pump for Peace of Mind
We recommend installing a battery back-up pump system for your sump pump. This way, if you lose power during an electrical storm, you can still keep your home’s basement or crawl space dry with confidence. A marine battery will power a secondary pump which will continue to kick the water out of your sump basin and away from your residence.
Schedule a Sump Pump Service Today
The expert plumbers at DRC Plumbing and Sewer have 30 years of experience will all kinds of plumbing work. If your pump is old, on the fritz, or insufficient (i.e. bought at a big-box retailer), contact us today at 708-203-7057 or click the link below to learn more about our sump pump services.
Learn More About Our Sump Pump Services