If your property is flood-prone, you may be looking for options to protect your home from excess moisture. Having a plumber install a sump pump in the basement should be a top consideration for combatting this threat. Not only does it reduce the risk of water damage, but it also offers numerous other hard-to-beat benefits. If you're unfamiliar with how this device works, here's what you should know about how it can help your home.

What Is a Sump Pump?

Plumbers usually install these small pumps at the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. They feature a deep pit that contains either a float activator or a pressure sensor. There’s also a drain pipe that exits through the side of the pit and empties out a safe distance from the home. 

If any water seeps in through the floors or walls, it will naturally flow toward the pump and enter the pit. The sensors will then trigger the system and direct the water out through the drain. 

Float activators sit along the top of the water and have to reach a certain height to turn on the motor. Pressure sensors are found more toward the bottom of the pit and measure the weight of the water as it fills the pit, activating the drain the moment it reads a precise measurement. 

Why Should You Get One?

By moving the water out of the basement or crawlspace, sump pumps make it possible for materials to dry. This reduces the risk of rot and keeps mold and mildew from developing. Without these growths releasing spores into the air, your family won't be as susceptible to allergy symptoms or asthmatic reactions, and you won’t have to deal with musty odors. 

A sump pump also safeguards the stability of your home's foundation. Standing water can produce cracks, weakening the material and causing a need for repair. Keeping the space dry will preserve the home's integrity and increase the life span of the foundation and other structural elements.

If you need a sump pump to protect your basement from flooding, contact Bradford & Sons Electrical Plumbing & Heating in Canandaigua, NY. This family-owned company has over 50 years of experience providing quality plumbing services to homeowners throughout the Finger Lakes Region. These fully licensed and insured plumbers are highly trained to install sump pumps that safely direct water out of homes and away from foundations. Call (585) 657-7309 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website for additional information on their services.