St. Louis Sump Pump Services

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A dry home or business is a happy one.

Sump pumps are an important tool designed to siphon excess groundwater that can leak, damaging your property and valuables. They are light duty unlike sewage pumps and do not have the ability to pass solid waste but normally used to pump groundwater from the sump pit or gray water from the laundry room sinks.

How they work

A sump pump is usually located in the lowest part of a basement or crawl space in a sump pit. As the pit fills with water the sump pump begins its function. The pump will then begin to transfer the water outward away from your home or business and out of a spout located away from the foundation.

Common Types of Sump Pumps

Submersible sump pumps: Capable of working when completely underwater and uses a float switch that turns the pump on when groundwater rises in the sump pit. Since it is below the ground and water level, it makes for a much quieter and less noticeable pump.

Pedestal sump pumps: An older type of a non-submersible sump pump. The float which is responsible for turning the pump on and off looks a lot like a toilet tank float. The pedestal sump pumps should be correctly installed and secured so that it doesn’t tip over and jam its float causing the pump to fail when needed. Pedestal pumps also provide easy access for repairs if needed.

Battery-backup sump pumps: We can add a battery-backup sump pump to an existing system for whenever the primary sump pump stops working. It has a rechargeable battery that keeps the pump working if electrical power fails. This is recommended for property where there are frequent power failures. Especially in areas that experience harsh storms that cause power outages.
Note: The battery-backup sump pumps doesn’t normally pump as fast as the primary sump pumps.

Water powered sump pumps: These pumps are usually turned on manually by opening a water valve close to the pump. Their main advantage is that they can operate without electrical power. They have no battery to wear out or maintain. Water powered sump pumps use municipal water pressure and a Venturi fitting to pick up and eject water from the building in case of a flood.
Note: This type of pump is not allowed in many municipalities’ codes.

Common Problems with Sump Pumps

A sump pump can stop working for multiple reasons:

Broken float switch
More water than the pump can handle
Clogged intake screen
Power failure
Improper installation
Lack of maintenance

Don’t wait until your home or office suffers from water damage to call a plumber. Sump pump failures could be avoided by having it tested annually. Schedule a performance test with Bieg Plumbing to be sure your sump pump will be working properly when you need it the most and keep your valuables dry!