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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are responsible for pumping excess ground water from the basement to the outside of the home. For those of you that have ever experience water back up in your basement, you know all about how much cleaning is involved and how much damage can be caused. A sump pump is your best defensive against this ever happening. A sump pump can save you much money in the long run by maintaining the value of your home and by protecting against water damage.

There are three types of sump pumps commonly used. Two of them work on electricity and one of them works on waterpower. The two electric sump pumps include a pedestal pump and a submersible pump. Pedestal pumps are not meant to get wet. They stand upright with a motor a few feet above it. Submersible pumps are installed in the ground and work under water.

Pedestal pumps work best in basements that require frequent water drainage. They are typically more affordable, repairs are less expensive, and they will last much longer. However, they are noisier. Submersible pumps cost more, but they are concealed completely and much quieter. Water pumps run off your homes plumbing system. They operate at a slower rate, but will save you money by not requiring electricity.

In addition to the types of sump pumps, there are also several automatic switches to decide on. Automatic switches activate the pump when water reaches a certain threshold. They not only protect the pump, but they guard against unexpected floods. There are three main types of switches including a diaphragm switch, vertical action float, and tethered float.

Sump Pump Inspection, Repair & Installation

 

 

Basement Flooding Is A Real Headache

Have you ever walked down to the basement and found an inch of water and rising? If you’ve never experienced a flooded basement, good! If you have, you know the headache - all the cleaning and costly damage.

A sump pump is your best defense against flooding. Because you never know when a sump pump may fail, it pays to have it checked regularly.

At Hartwig Plumbing and Heating,Inc., our plumbers are professionally trained specialists; they can do a complete sump pump inspection in no time. We repair all makes and models. Time to replace or upgrade your sump pump? Hartwig Plumbing carries a complete line from industry leaders and systems designed to last.  When the heavy rains hit they often knock out your power as well. For the ultimate peace of mind many people choose a battery back up system. These systems work when the power doesn’t. We carry the best in battery back up systems.

 

Fast, Expert Sump Pump Repairs, Sales & Installation

 

  • 24/7 Emergency Service
  • Inspect, Service & Repair All Makes & Models
  • Complete Line Of Conventional & Battery Sump Pumps
  • Wide Variety Of Backup Systems For Use During Power Outages
  • Sump Pumps & Ejector Pumps
  • If It’s Sump Pumps - We Do It!

 

We Carry The Best Sump Pumps Available:

  • Glentronics
  • Zoeller
  • Aqua-Not
  • Pro-Flo

 

4 Things You Should Know About Your Home Sump Pump

Written by Erik Schroll

 

During an average summer the Chicago area receives over a foot of rain. This can keep your home's sump pump working nearly continuously to keep your basement dry.

As mechanical things go, we don’t often think about the sump pump. It’s down in the basement, out of sight and out of mind. In reality, your sump pump is one of the hardest working pieces of equipment in your house.

A typical submersible sump pump drains water year round, and when a rainstorm hits the  water pump works extra duty keeping your basement from flooding. Most suburban Chicago homes have sump pumps to aid in basement drainage. So, here are a couple of things to consider:

  1. Sump pumps are mechanical and will eventually fail.  Average sump pump life is 10 years. The most common reason for failure is the sump pump switch.
  2. If your sump pump fails during a rain storm, hundreds of gallons of water can  flood your basement  in a matter of minutes. It doesn’t take much water to cause thousands of dollars in damage.
  3. Basement flooding can ruin your furnace, water heater and other mechanical and electrical devices. According to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association these appliances must be replaced.
  4. Sump pumps should be checked for proper operation a couple of times per year – pour some water into the sump pit until the submersible pump cycles. This is usually an easy process and only takes a couple of minutes.  Don’t wait for a failure during a rainstorm to find out your sump pump doesn’t work.

Again, all sump pumps eventually fail, so you should protect your home with a battery backup sump pump.  If you have a finished basement, a battery backup system is essential.

Battery backup systems range from basic to very elaborate.  My experience has been the basic systems seem to fail when you need them most.  While you don’t need to spend a fortune, you will find that for a few extra dollars you can get a good quality battery backup sump pump. These systems give you an extra measure of defense. They not only protect your belongings in case of a power failure, but automatically kick in should your primary water pump fail. 

Hartwig Plumbing and Heating, Inc. offers a variety of quality sump pump and sump pump backup systems.  These systems provide around the clock protection, and in fact can pump more water per minute than many primary sump pumps. We can help you determine which sump pump system is right for your home.

 


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