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Word of the Day: SUMP-PUMP

Before my basement flooded the first time, I knew little about the hole in my basement that held cob webs and a mysterious piece of equipment.

As a survivor of basement flooding, I am embarrassed to admit how much I admire these simple machines — and how much I check to make sure they are functioning.  I have two of these amazing pumps running right now on an every 30 second cycle.

As the children entered the building in pouring rain (again), we heard story after story about the parents they left at home to bail out their basements.  One fourth grader asked me this:  “We have a ZuP Pump but it’s not working.  What is that thing anyway?”

So…here’s my answer:

  1. It’s a SUMP PUMP…not a sub pump or zup pump.
  2. It can be found in a sump pit … or a hole in your basement.
  3. It’s purpose is to remove water that has risen above the foundation of the house.
  4. The water usually drains into the pump pit through drains that line the perimeter of the basement.
  5. When the water fills the hole to a certain level, the pump kicks in, sucking the water up through a tube/pipe out into your yard — where you want it to stay!

Check out this great  DIY on youtube.com.  It helps you understand how the pump works.

Wishing you all the best as you check your basements, worry about the rising water table and survive this crazy spring weather.

 

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