A sump pump is a submersible pump that is installed in the lowest point of a home, usually in the basement. A sump system works by channeling groundwater into a perimeter drain system that is installed at the base of the home’s foundation. The pipes that make up this drain system are perforated, allowing water to flow in and collect in a sump pit or crock. The sump pump then redirects the water to the nearest storm drain, dry well, or retention pond. Sump pumps are usually triggered by a float switch and only activate when water reaches a predetermined level in the sump pit. By redirecting excess water, sump pumps prevent water from accumulating around the home’s foundation and beneath the basement floor. Roto-Rooter plumbers are experts at sump pump installation and repair and can offer backup sump pump options too.

Most new basement homes are equipped with sump pumps but older homes can be retrofitted with a sump system to prevent basement flooding. To learn more about Sump Pumps, read our What is a Sump Pump guide.

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