| Sump pumps are a necessary part of any home that | | | | water has reached that level on the pump. Obviously, |
| has a crawlspace or basement. The higher the water | | | | the larger the open space that the pump is sitting in, |
| table is in your area, the more important that sump | | | | the more water that will collect before the pump |
| pump is. The sump pump basin is a vital part of the | | | | turns on. Using the basin places the pump into a |
| entire pump system. Without it, your pump can | | | | smaller open area. |
| quickly clog with mud and fail. When installed properly, | | | | Water will always follow the path of least resistance. |
| the sump pump basin will keep your pump working, | | | | The basin is placed so most of the basin will sit below |
| and your below ground crawlspace or basement dry | | | | the dirt in your crawlspace, or situated under the |
| and protected. | | | | concrete floor of your basement. The water coming |
| As water saturates the ground, it begins looking for | | | | in under your house is looking for an open area to |
| the easiest path to follow. That path is often the | | | | freely go into; the basin becomes that open area. |
| one that goes into a large, open area. The problem | | | | Any water entering the ground under your basement |
| occurs when that large, open area is in your | | | | will be diverted to the basin using French drains and |
| basement or crawlspace. The pump is designed to | | | | gravel channels. As the water collects in the basin, it |
| move the water out of your house or foundation, | | | | will quickly rise to the level needed for the pump to |
| and it cannot function effectively without the sump | | | | begin operating. |
| pump basin. | | | | A good sump pump basin is typically constructed of |
| These appliances are not designed to run | | | | high quality plastic. There is usually a removable lid |
| continuously. They are designed to turn on and off | | | | that serves to keep the area inside the pump clean. |
| with rising and falling water levels. They are designed | | | | The lid also contains odors and prevents small children |
| to turn on only when there are several inches of | | | | or pets from getting into the sump pump. The lid and |
| water at the base of the pump. If your pump is left | | | | basin will have areas that can be cut out to allow for |
| in a large open space, it will not turn on until the | | | | the pipes that will go in and out of the basin. |