If you've ever experienced a flooded basement, you already know how much damage it can cause. Even a small amount of water leaking into your basement can cause thousands of dollars in damage, not to mention hazardous mold and mildew growth.

 If your basement is at risk of flooding, a sump pump is generally considered to be the best safeguard.

 Though sump pumps are generally installed to prevent basement flooding, they can also be used to ameliorate dampness by lowering the water table under the foundation.

 At AFM Plumbers.com, we specialize in and frequently perform sump pump installations, so you can rest assured that your sump pump will be installed by an experienced member of our staff. After a survey of your home's environment and construction, we will recommend the best product to secure your home and belongings against water damage.

Basement flooding often is the result of water building up in the soil around a home and seeping into the lower level. A sump pump can get rid of the water before it leaks into the basement.

Here’s how it works. Drain tile, which can be clay tile or perforated plastic pipe, collects the water that builds up around the house’s foundation and drains it into the sump. The sump is a hole about 2 feet in diameter that holds 15 to 25 gallons of water. When the water reaches a certain level, the sump pump turns on and lifts the water to ground level, then discharges it into a pipe that leads away from the house.

The pumps come in two basic models: upright, commonly called pedestal, and submersible. Either will work well with proper maintenance.

The pedestal model has the motor on top and the pump at the base, which sits on the bottom of the sump. The motor should not get wet. A ball float turns the pump on and off.

Submersible pumps are designed to be submerged in water and sit on the bottom of the sump. The on/off switch, which is attached to the pump, can be a ball float connected to an internal pressure switch or a sealed, adjustable mercury-activated float switch. The sealed mercury switch generally is more reliable than the pressure switch.

A backup sump pump is another item homeowners should consider having. Battery-powered backup sump pumps also are available at hardware and home supply stores. People who travel extensively or are away from home for extended periods should have a backup sump pump in case the power goes out during a thunderstorm or heavy rainfall. Homeowners who have a backup sump pump should make sure the batteries are fully charged.

 Whether you have already suffered the misfortune of basement flooding or just want to make sure you never do, we can help.

 For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please contact us today at 770-685-1196.