An exterior sump pump is a critical component for managing water around your home’s foundation, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall or flooding. Understanding how does a sump pump work diagram can help homeowners visualize the process: water collects in an outside sump pump basin, and once it reaches a certain level, the pump activates to move water through sump pump piping outside the house, effectively preventing water damage. One might ask, “Can a sump pump be outside?” The answer is yes. Exterior sump pump installation is a viable solution for many properties, with various outdoor sump pump cover ideas available to protect the unit from the elements.
Most people are aware of or have heard of the term “sump pump” but may not know exactly what a sump pump is or most important how does a sump pump work. In most instances the words sump pump come into play when you have a basement, but what about the instances when an exterior sump pump is recommended by your drainage contractor? Let’s demystify the exterior sump pump by discussing what a sump pump does, why you need one, and how one will help to keep your yard beautiful.
Sump Pumps
There are a number of different types of sump pumps ranging from portable units to permanent fixtures in your home but every sump pump has one commonality.
A sump pump prevents potential flooding.
By diverting away any excess build-up of water underneath your home a sump pump prevents flooding either in your yard or in your basement. This is the cause of a swampy backyard. Both types of flooding has some very serious ramifications to the health of the foundation of your home. If a sump pump is installed in your basement, it is most commonly referred to as a sump pump. If a sump pump is installed in your yard, it is called a sump pump dry well or an exterior sump pump by some.
Where are Dry Well Sump Pumps Located?
Sump pumps are always located at the lowest level of your home and runs on electricity. However, every home may not have a sump. If you have a sump pump in your basement you will find a covered circular hole a little smaller than your average manhole cover. Inside of that hole you will find your sump pump. (Always make sure that the cover remains in place and that the sump pump is free from debris.) With that same idea or concept in mind, a dry well pump or an exterior sump pump is installed by your drainage contractor at the lowest area of your yard.
When Do You Need an Exterior Sump Pump?
In small yards there is sometimes not enough space to excavate enough land to build an effective dry well. A well with the capacity to hold enough water from the runoff, defeating the purpose of installing the well. In that case, a dry well that is a little further from the house that utilizes a sump pump would make more sense. Another instance that would call for an exterior sump pump would be in heavy clay soils that do not drain well. Or perhaps, the water table is close to the soil surface. This would prevent an effective dry well as well. Often, in both instances, dry wells alone are not able to put the water into the soil safely AND quickly enough to make room for the next rain.
How Does the Exterior Sump Pump Work?
After we install the outdoor sump pump in the lowest spot in the yard we then connect the pump to a pipe buried below ground. After a rain, the exterior sump pump then sends the water somewhere outside the area that has the high water issues. More often than not, the excess water is pumped to the curb, where it can flows into the street and then into the storm sewer system. Water can also be pumped to a wetland or other low-lying area. In some situations, the piping is connected directly into the city sewer system. Every city is different, so permits and city approval are generally required anytime when you’re hooking anything directly into a storm sewer.
Your Exterior Sump Pump Specialists
If you are tired of fighting mosquitoes, mud and puddles of water in your yard and you are ready to be rid of all of the issues that come with yard drainage and need the perfect solution it may be time for an exterior sump pump. Give Austin Drainage + Landscape Development a call at 512-453-4932 for your premier landscape drainage solution today.
Considering the outdoor sump pump installation cost is important, but the investment can save significant expenses in water damage repairs. The sump pump pipe outside the house directs water away from the foundation, often into a drainage system designed to handle excess water. For those wondering about sump pump inside or outside options, installing the pump externally can be advantageous for properties with space constraints or specific drainage challenges. An outdoor sump pump basin with a lid ensures debris doesn’t enter the system, maintaining efficiency. Additionally, exploring sump pump water discharge ideas can further enhance your home’s drainage capabilities. Whether you’re looking at sump pump installation outside the house or considering various sump pump drain outside house solutions, an exterior sump pump is an effective tool for maintaining a dry, safe environment around your home.