Installing a sump pump is one of the best ways to remove unwanted water from around your foundation. However, this is not the only way to achieve that goal. There are several sump pump alternatives that every homeowner should know about.
Sump pump alternatives can help with water in a basement or crawl space. Some are simple maintenance a homeowner can do. Others, such as an interior drainage system, are installed by a professional. Here is how each one works.
What Is a Sump Pump and How Does It Work?
A sump pump is part of a system that collects water in your basement or crawl space and pumps it up and out of your home. A sump pump helps you avoid the problems that standing water and excessive moisture cause by ejecting it away from your foundation.
Sump pumps consist of a few main components, including the following:
- Sump pit: This reservoir in your basement or crawl space floor houses the pump and stores water.
- Sump pump: The pump activates when the water in the pit reaches a certain level, pushing the water up the discharge pipe.
- Discharge pipe: The discharge pipe connects to the pump and leads to outside the home. It is responsible for conveying the water to a place where it cannot cause damage to your foundation.
- Check valve: The check valve is a component of the discharge pipe. This valve allows water to move up the pipe but prevents it from falling back into the pump.
- Power supply: Most sump pumps connect to an electrical outlet that provides the power the pump requires.
- Battery backup: Sump pumps that include a battery backup will remain functional even when the main power supply is unavailable.
- Float switch: A sump pump float switch is a device that detects rising water levels in a sump pit and triggers the sump pump to turn on and remove the excess water.
- Sump pit cover: While not essential, a sump pit cover conceals stagnant water in the pit and reduces unwanted odors.
What Are the Alternatives to a Sump Pump?
Sump pumps work well, but they are not the only way to deal with water around a foundation. These sump pump alternatives can help keep moisture out of your basement or crawl space.
Homeowner Tip: Regular Gutter Cleaning
Gutters play a big part in keeping rainwater out of a basement or crawl space. They collect water from the roof and carry it to a downspout. When gutters clog, they can overflow and drop water on the ground next to the foundation, where it can pool and seep in. Keeping the gutters clean helps them work as intended. Gutter cleaning is homeowner maintenance or work for a gutter company.
Homeowner Tip: Downspouts That Empty Away From the House
Water moves from the gutter into a downspout, which should carry it away from the house. A downspout that is too short can leave water near the foundation, where it is more likely to seep into a basement or crawl space. A downspout that empties well away from the walls helps. This is also homeowner maintenance or work for a gutter company.
Interior Drainage System
An interior drainage system is the alternative that HydroHelp911 installs. A crawl space drainage system (sometimes called an interior French drain) is a perforated pipe set in a channel of gravel along the inside of the foundation. Water that reaches the channel moves through the pipe to a sump pit, and the sump pump sends it out of the house.
Interior drainage runs along the inside of the foundation, under the crawl space or basement floor. It is one of the most common ways to help keep water from building up under the home.
What Are the Signs Your Foundation Has a Water Problem?
It helps to know when better drainage may be needed. These signs can mean your foundation is struggling with water or humid air:
- Musty odors: Excess moisture can cause unpleasant smells, which are often the first sign of a basement or crawl space moisture problem.
- Mold and mildew: As moisture rises, mold and mildew can grow.
- Standing water: Pools of water in a crawl space or basement are a clear sign the drainage needs attention.
- Water damage: Drainage problems can lead to staining, wood rot and damaged stored items.
Which Drainage Option Fits Your Home?
A HydroHelp911 inspection shows where the water is coming from and whether your home needs a sump pump, an interior drainage system or simpler maintenance outside. We serve homeowners across North and South Carolina.
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Written by
Cory Parks
Owner & President, HydroHelp911
Cory Parks founded HydroHelp911 and leads its structural and moisture repair work for homeowners across North and South Carolina, from the clay soils of the Piedmont to the saturated, sandy ground along the coast.
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