Choosing the Right Sump Pump Size for Basements in Painesville, OH
Although sump pumps are essential for keeping basements and crawlspaces dry, they're not one-size-fits-all flood solutions. This plumbing appliance must have the appropriate size or capacity to address the amount of water intrusion typical for your property. So, if you need a new device, you might ask, "What size sump pump do I need?"
When homeowners want the best plumbing repairs in Painesville, OH, they turn to Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. As a leading contractor in the area, our professionals are familiar with the sizes of sump pumps. We explain them in our detailed sump pump size guide below.
What Sump Pumps Do for Painesville Houses
Sump pumps are appliances that prevent flooding in basements and crawlspaces. During installation, the technician digs a pit or basin into the lowest point of a Painesville residence to collect water seepage from rain and groundwater. Once the water in the basin reaches a certain level, it will trigger the pump to suck the water out and disperse the liquid outside the home.
Although sump pump maintenance will extend the device's longevity, it won't work indefinitely. If you need a new appliance due to wear and tear, extensive damage, or inefficiency, or want to install a sump pump for the first time, you must choose appropriately sized equipment to keep your home dry.
Determining Accurate Basement Sump Pump Sizing
So, what size sump pump do I need? The answer depends on two factors: the equipment's motor power and its capacity.
Capacity
Capacity refers to how much volume of water a sump pump can handle. Your home's ideal capacity may differ from that of your Painesville neighbors. You can estimate sump pump capacity using a simple equation after testing your current equipment.
Turn your appliance off for one minute on a rainy day after the water inside the pit recedes to its shutoff level. Measure how much the water rises within that minute. Use that figure in the following equation to determine the ideal capacity for your new sump pump: inches of water that rose x 60 minutes x 1.5 = necessary gallons per hour capacity.
Motor Power
Once you have an estimated sump pump GPH rating for your new equipment, consider its motor power. The standard sump pump motor has about 0.33 horsepower, but 0.25 hp, 0.5 hp, and 3/4 hp are also available.
The latter two motors are powerful enough to remove over 3,000 gallons of water per hour, making them ideal for flood-prone areas in Painesville. If you don't need a large pump, you can choose a 0.25 hp motor or the standard option.
Other Considerations for Your New Sump Pump
Although the answer to "What size sump pump do I need?" primarily stems from the motor size and water removal capacity, other considerations, as listed below, will help you select the most suitable equipment for your home.
Sump Pump Type
The two main kinds of sump pumps are the pedestal and submersible varieties. The first one sits on a pedestal above the water. They cost less but have less power and are noisier than submersible pumps.
As the name suggests, submersible sump pumps work underwater inside the basin. These appliances are usually more expensive, but they work best for flood-prone basements due to their powerful motors with quiet operations.
Most pedestal and submersible sump pumps are automatic, which means a float valve turns the device on once the water inside the basin reaches a predetermined level. However, manual sump pumps are also an option. These devices rely on people to turn them on to keep crawlspaces and basements flood-free.
Head Pressure
Regarding sump pumps, head pressure is the height at which the device can pump water until it reaches ground level. To determine a suitable head pressure, you need to know the height of your basement. Most sump pumps can lift water to ten feet, but double-check your equipment and your basement to ensure the new equipment complements your space.
Need a New Sump Pump for Your Painesville Home? Turn to Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co.
Still asking, "What size sump pump do I need?" At Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co., we specialize in sump pump services, including repairs, maintenance, and installations. We're the go-to plumbing experts serving Painesville, OH, and the surrounding areas.
Our plumbers know how to deal with inadequate water in sump pump pits, select the right equipment according to sump pump efficiency ratings, and ensure the sump pump basin size is correct. Don't wait to get the professional assistance you need. Contact Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. today!
