Sump pumps and backwater valves both protect basements, yet they deal with completely different water. One handles groundwater moving toward the house from outside. The other stops sewage from coming back in through the drains. The questions below cover what each one does and where they fall short.
Contents
What does a sump pump actually do?
Many houses have weeping tile, a perforated pipe laid around the footings that collects groundwater before it builds up against the foundation. That water flows into a pit in the basement floor. When the level in the pit rises, a float switch turns on the pump, which pushes the water up and out through a discharge line to the yard.
How can I tell if mine is working?
Lift the lid and slowly pour a pail of water into the pit. The float should rise, the pump should start, and the level should drop fairly quickly before the pump shuts off again. If it hums without moving water, runs nonstop or does not start at all, it needs attention.
Is a backup pump worth having?
A standard sump pump runs on household power, and the storms that knock out power are often the same storms that send the most water into the pit. A battery backup or a second pump offers some protection against an outage and against the main pump failing mechanically. A high-water alarm is another inexpensive addition that gives you warning before the floor gets wet.
What is a backwater valve?
It is a valve installed on the main sewer line where it leaves the house. Wastewater flows out normally, but a flap closes when water in the municipal sewer tries to flow backward, for instance when the system is overloaded during a heavy rainstorm. Without one, sewage can rise through the lowest drain in the home, which is usually the basement floor drain.
Does it need maintenance?
Yes. The valve has an access cover so it can be inspected and cleaned, because debris can stop the flap from sealing. While the valve is closed during a backup, water you send down your own drains has nowhere to go, so hold off on laundry, dishes and showers until the sewer level drops.
Can I install one myself?
Installation means cutting into the main sewer line, often under the basement slab, and it usually needs a plumbing permit. It is normally a job for a licensed plumber, and checking Strathcona County’s requirements before booking the work saves surprises.
What happens if water gets in anyway?
Neither device is a guarantee. Pumps wear out, power fails, and a valve can be propped open by debris. If your basement does flood, remember that water from the sump is groundwater, while water from a sewer backup is contaminated and calls for real caution. A restoration outfit like Water Damage Restoration Sherwood Park treats a flooded basement and a sewer backup as two separate jobs, with different precautions and different decisions about what can be kept.
Where should the sump discharge end up?
Well away from the foundation, so the same water does not soak back down to the weeping tile and cycle through the pump again. It should not be routed into the sanitary sewer, and it should not drain onto a neighbour’s property. In winter, keep the outlet clear of snow and ice; a frozen discharge line can leave a working pump with nowhere to send water.