What Are Sump Pumps and Their Common Types?

The flooding of a building or space can be extremely detrimental, posing the risk of damaging appliances, drywall, flooring, electronics, and much more. With flooding also comes hefty repair bills for water damage, thus it is important to mitigate the accumulation of water as much as possible. In order to prevent the damages and costs associated with flooding in at-risk areas, one may use what is known as a sump pump. As a common pump type that may come in a few primary variations, it can be useful to have an understanding of each and how they may be used for implementing protection in a building or space.

In their most basic form, sump pumps are simply submersible devices that are installed in a dug out sump pit. The sump pit will always be situated at the lowest area of the building, such as within a basement or crawl space. During normal, dry conditions, the sump pump will remain stationary and inactive, ready to activate at the first sign of flooding. During the heavy rains that typically create floods, the surrounding soil of a building may quickly become oversaturated. As excess groundwater continues to build up, it will eventually begin to move towards the sump pit. The groundwater will then fill the sump pit, activating a float switch so that the sump pump may be turned on. With the activated sump pump, floodwater will be drained from the building and routed to a nearby dry well, storm drain, or detention pond. As such, the sump pump is well capable of removing the buildup of excess groundwater before it can rise in a basement, preventing the chance of a flood or major water damage. 

Primary sump pumps often come in one of two forms, those of which are submersible and pedestal types. The submersible sump pump contains a pump body and motor for water removal, and its operations are conducted electronically. Placed within the sump pit, the submersible sump pump is situated beneath the water so that it can run for longer without the risk of overheating. Pedestal sump pumps, on the other hand, have their motor placed atop a long tube so that they are safe from coming into contact with water. Generally, pedestal types are suitable for smaller pits and are not capable of acting as a submersible sump pump. 

In the case that further protection is desired for a space, a backup pump may be added. Backup pumps are battery-operated and are typically implemented for the means of ensuring the removal of water even in the case of a primary pump malfunction or power failure. In some instances, the backup pump may be water powered, furthering reliability when the main pump fails. Combination pumps are more specialized types that combine the functionalities of the primary pump while also featuring a battery-operating backup pump in the same system. As a result, the combination pump can operate as intended during normal conditions, activating the backup pump in the case of a failure. 

Beyond the main types of sump pumps, there are also variations that may serve sewage and septic systems for similar uses. With sewage pumps, solid waste may be removed from septic systems and pumps so that it may be routed to the main sewer line. Sewage grinder pumps are a variation of the sewage pump that break down solid waste for more efficiency and the prevention of blockages. The effluent pump is the other main pump type for sewage and septic systems, and such types utilize high pressure operations to lift treated water out of septic tanks.

Whether using hydraulic pumps, industrial pumps, or other various types of water pumps for protecting areas, such equipment requires regular maintenance and inspection to ensure health and operability over time. When you are in need of pump service kits or pump replacement parts, ASAP Industrial is your sourcing solution with our expansive inventory of new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items. ASAP Industrials is an online distributor of industrial supplies, providing customers competitive pricing and rapid lead-times on everything that we carry. Take the time to explore our various offerings, and our team of industry experts are readily on standby 24/7x365 to assist you through the purchasing process as necessary. Get started today and see how ASAP Industrials can fulfill all your operational requirements with ease.

1. jacob miller
2. Posted on July 12, 2021
pumps