Sump Pump Installation North Carolina

Most basement waterproofing systems rely on a sump pump as the final mechanism to get the water out of the basement. The sump pump is the heart of the system. If the heart stops for any reason, the system fails and your basement gets flooded despite all the money you paid to dry it up. That's why if you are going to rely on a sump pump, you should make sure it's reliable.

Despite any stories you have heard over the years about folks getting flooded because their sump pump was on the blink again, today's sump equipment is better than ever and very reliable - that is, if you have the right equipment. With the wrong equipment, you'll be the one telling tales of woe about your pump failing and causing your basement to flood one day.

Besides the pump itself, there are other elements of a good sump pump system that are very important.

The Sump Liner
You don't want your pump to clog in a muddy hole in the floor. And you don't want it in a 5-gallon bucket that doesn't hold a lot of water and will cause the pump to "short cycle" (go on and off very quickly). Instead, you should have a sturdy liner or housing for your sump pump.

Lifetime Warranty?
No pump manufacturer gives a lifetime warranty on their pumps - and there is a good reason why. A lifetime warranty doesn't make a pump better. Some irresponsible contractors will tell you there is a lifetime warranty (or many years) on their pump or "free replacements forever" to seduce you to buy their whole solution. This is irresponsible. Ask yourself, "How do I know when to call to get my free replacement?" The answer is when the pump has failed and your basement is flooded.

Air-Tight Sump Lid with a Floor Drain
The sump should have an airtight lid to prevent water from evaporating out of the sump hole into your basement to stop materials from falling in that can clog the pump or switch and to quiet the system. Depending on the cover, it can also make the installation look good too. Instead of a necessary evil in your home, you have a thoughtfully engineered system.

When you have a plumbing leak and the water floods out onto the basement floor, you'll want to use your sump hole to drain the water away. A sump lid with a floor drain is the answer.

A Stand for the Pump and a Check Valve
A "CleanPump Stand" elevates the pump off the bottom of the sump liner, allowing sediment, mud, debris, or gravel that washes into the sump liner to settle to the bottom of the sump liner without clogging or otherwise affecting the pump. It also keeps the check valve and discharge pipe clean.

Pump Alarms
How would you know if your sump pump has failed and you were in danger of being flooded? Unless you have an alarm, the answer is: when your basement is already flooded. A battery-powered alarm that automatically sounds off when the water reaches a level above the point where the pump(s) should normally turn on is essential.

What if my pump fails? What if the power goes out?

You need to plan on...

• The power going out one day - which usually happens in a big storm with rain
• The pump coming unplugged
• The circuit breaker tripping
• The primary pump failing
• The primary pump not being able to keep up with the amount of water in a very heavy rain

Remember all the stories of woe people have told you about the sump pump failing and them getting flooded? These are the reasons they were talking about. You don't have to go through that if you get the right equipment.

SuperSump Sump Pump
The SuperSump includes the finest pump available - a high end 1/3 hp cast iron pump with a mechanical float switch. This pump was chosen as the best from among nearly 50 models. It pumps 2,650 gallons per hour smoothly and quietly. It resists clogging and can pump up to 1/2" solids. It will perform reliably for many years. (Larger pumps are available for various applications.)
The SuperSump is designed and engineered from top to bottom to be the best sump pump system on the planet!

Although the pump is very quiet, the discharge line is equipped with 2 rubber fittings for additional sound and vibration reduction. Even higher volume pumps are optional.

The WaterWatch Alarm System
Relying on a sump pump without an alarm makes no sense. If the circuit breaker trips, the pump cord is unplugged or the pump fails for any other reason, you experience costly flood damage without warning. The patented WaterWatch sounds off (like a smoke detector) if the water rises above the point where the pump should turn on. This gives you warning to address the problem before any damage occurs. UltraSump battery back-up pumps are available to pump in a power outage.

The SuperLiner
The patented 18" x 24" smooth wall polyethylene liner is rugged, heavy duty, and has holes to allow water to flow in directly from below the floor. It features an exclusive "pump ring" on the floor of the liner which prevents the switch from hanging up on the sidewalls by keeping the pump in the center.

The Airtight Lid
The patented lid keeps moisture from evaporating into your basement environment. It also keeps out bugs, odors, radon gas and quiets the pump. It keeps objects (tools, laundry, stored items) from falling into the sump hole. In fact, the lid is so strong, you can stand on it, and stack items on top so you don't sacrifice any storage space for the sump. As a safety feature, it keeps children out, which is very important. It also features a 2-piece design so the pump can be serviced without disconnecting the discharge line. Another feature is a special floor drain that lets water down, but air cannot come up through it. If a pipe breaks in your basement, the SuperSump will let the water in and pump it out.

The lid is also a dramatic improvement in the appearance of the sump, which protects the market value of your home.

UltraSump Battery Back-Up
"Sump Pump Back-up Protection, 24 Hours a Day, Whether You're Home or Away!"
The reliable UltraSump back-up pump is designed and manufactured by Basement Systems Inc. specifically for our applications. When your primary pump fails because of a power outage or any other reason, the water rises and automatically turns on your UltraSump back-up system, which is powered by a battery specifically designed for long term standby use. When power is restored the battery is automatically recharged for the next emergency. The high-tech charging system was engineered for this purpose and adjusts the maintenance charge current based on temperature so the battery will last 10 years, instead of 1 or 2 years. Additional batteries can be added to extend battery operated pumping time as long as you desire. You can rest easy 24 hours a day knowing the UltraSump is on the job, especially when you are away from home. Its outstanding gallon per minute output, automatic electronic "smart" charger, heavy duty motor and reliable switch are a winning combination. We also recommend FloodRing water containment system for around your water heater and FloodChek washer hoses to prevent flooding from these domestic water sources.

The UltraSump is optional on a SuperSump. Call us about including an UltraSump battery back-up with your system.

             Before                                      After

"Professional" sump installations like the one on the left are commonplace. A SuperSump installation is a vast improvement. SuperSumps look clean and neat and work better. Nothing can fall into the sump hole, and small children are kept out.

Without using a SuperSump, this is what you may get (pictured on the left). Open sump holes let in moisture, odors, bugs and radon gas. The SuperSump is a great improvement even in this older, "rough"-looking basement.

Homeowners often wrestle with different sump configurations. This pedestal pump is an example. No storage space is lost with a SuperSump, as items can be stacked on top. Add a DryTrak or WaterGuard system for a complete basement water control system.

The marketability of your home may be affected by sumps like these. SuperSumps can be equipped with optional UltraSump battery back-up pump systems like this one. There is a second pump in the SuperSump that runs off battery power to protect you in a power failure. Ask your dealer for details.

 For your free sump pump installation estimate in North Carolina, fill out our online form or call us today!