A sump pump - flooded basement or not, every basement needs one. If you have ever had a leak or flooding in your basement, you already know that this will come in handy. If you haven't had any such experience but have your washer and dryer in the basement, you still need one because there is always a possibility that you might get a leak that could lead to a flooded basement.

Basements usually have sumps . A sump is the lowest area in your basement towards which any water that leeks or seeps into the basement will flow. By law of gravity, water flows downwards so if your clothes washer springs a leak, the water will accumulate at the sump. Some homes have sump pits. A sump pit is a hole at the bottom of the basement where the water that gathers at the sump is intended to be collected. Usually this pit is connected to a sump pump that pumps the accumulated water out.

Types of sump pumps

There are three types of sump pumps: the pedestal or upright type, the submersible type, and the portable sump pump.

The pedestal/upright sump pump is a pump where the motor is mounted on a pedestal. The base of the pump rests on the bottom of the sump pit, and the motor lies on top of the pedestal where it is out of reach of the water. There is an on/off switch that is controlled by the position of a ball float. When water rises in the pit, the ball float lifts up and causes the motor to switch on. Water is then drawn from the pit and is pumped out through a pipe that leads to the drain. As the water is pumped out, the ball float drops down and switches the motor off. This type of sump pump is the most common and least expensive. If you have a problem in your house such as a frequently flooded basement, this is a must-have.

The second type is the submersible sump pump, which is entirely mounted inside the sump pit. It is specially sealed to prevent short circuiting. This type is more expensive than the pedestal pump, requires little maintenance, and can run for a longer continuous period without damaging the motor.

The portable sump pump is not attached to the sump pit; it can be carried and stored away easily. Portable sump pumps relatively inexpensive, and you can get one for less than a hundred dollars.

Choosing the right pump

Your choice of pump will depend on how often you get a flooded basement, your budget, and how high the water in your flooded basement is. Sump pumps vary in motor capacity and the number of gallons they can pump per minute. Usually the higher the gallons per minute, the better the pump would be. A sump pump with at least a 1/2 horsepower motor will be able to handle most flooded basements, but if you have a serious flooding problem, consider getting one with a bigger motor.

When shopping for sump pumps, make sure that the one you choose has a check valve that will prevent the water from flowing back through the pipe, otherwise your flooded basement may get worse than it already is.

A sump pump can be attached to a garden hose or a wider valve hose. It is usually better to use the wider hose to that water can be pumped out from your flooded basement faster.

Also, consider getting a backup battery for your pump, just in case you have to drain water from your flooded basement when there is no electricity.

The best person to help you decide which kind is best for you would be the technician or sales assistant at the store where you are planning to buy the sump pump from. Ask questions, and it is always better to go for a higher model than the one that is just right for your flooded basement condition now. That way, if you ever experience heavier flooding, you will be prepared.