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Sump pumps are used in homes that experience excess water around the foundation. It doesn’t matter whether the house has a basement or a slab foundation, although most people equate sump pumps with basements. The issue is whether or not water can drain freely away from the base of your home. If it can’t, then your home is at risk of flooding, and your foundation may be in danger of cracking.
What Is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a device that sits in a small valley or hole under your home’s foundation. The pump detects when the water in the hole reaches a level that’s too high, meaning it’s too close to the underside of your home. The water may be from flooding, including that from excessive runoff that overwhelms already saturated soil. It can also be from a high water table. The pump can also detect when the water pressure in the surrounding soil is too high.
When it detects a problem, the pump goes into action. It pumps the excess water out through a drainage pipe that deposits the water far away from your home. The result is that your home stays dry inside.
Why Can’t You Waterproof Instead?
Waterproofing isn’t foolproof. A tiny crack is all that’s needed for moisture to breach a waterproofed layer.
There’s one other issue, and that’s the pressure that oversaturated soil can place on a foundation and basement walls. Waterproofing won’t help with that. In fact, if the pressure is too great, all that soil pressing in on your foundation and basement walls can begin to squeeze them. That can lead not only to microscopic cracks in the waterproofing layers, but also to foundation damage. Water can both enter the basement and flood it, potentially destroying the structural integrity of the foundation.
If you have a slab foundation in an area that frequently floods or is located on a high water table, a sump pump helps prevent excess water from destabilizing the foundation.
Think of flooding and rising water tables under your home like you would frost heave. With frost heave, if you don’t eliminate the moisture in the soil before freezing temperatures set in, then the moisture can freeze. Ice expands, which means the frozen moisture in the soil can expand and damage fence posts or deck supports — anything above the frost line.
Water in oversaturated soil or a rising water table turns the soil under your slab foundation into what’s essentially the water version of frost heave. This can lead to cracked foundations.
What Happens if No Pump Is Installed?
If there’s no sump pump, then water can’t drain away. Your foundation and basement are at risk.
Do I Need More Than One Pump?
You might need more than one if you live in an area where flooding and oversaturated soil are frequent concerns. If there’s a power outage, a backup pump that runs on a battery could be a good investment. You’ll also need to ensure that the pumps are correctly sized, taking into account the risks your home is exposed to. You don’t want to install an underpowered sump pump in a region with a very high water table, for example.
Do All Homes Need a Sump Pump?
No, not all homes need them. The question is whether or not water drains away from the house easily. For example, if your home is situated on a hill where water runs quickly away from your property, flooding might not be a significant issue for you. If you live in an arid region with good drainage and a low water table, you might not need a sump pump.
If you have a basement, even in a dry or hilly area, you might still want to invest in a pump just in case. However, you’d need to consult with a plumber about that to determine if your home is truly at any risk at all. If you’re moving into a new neighborhood, try to speak with your neighbors about what they have and whether the area has experienced flooding in the past.
If you’re in Greenville or the surrounding area, consider installing a sump pump, even if your house has a slab foundation. Patterson Plumbing can help you determine which sump pump setup is best for your home. We also offer plumbing repairs and service, from faucet installation to drain cleaning. If you want to keep your home nice and dry with a suitable sump pump, contact us today.
