Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Sump Pumps’

Is a Sump Pump a Good Investment in California?

Monday, February 19th, 2024
torrential-rain-overwhelming-gutters-on-roof

The term “atmospheric river” is one that until a couple of years ago wouldn’t commonly be associated with Southern California. And yet, we’ve been plagued by occurrences of atmospheric rivers this year. 

These episodes should serve as a reminder to homeowners in Orange County that a sump pump is a wise investment in a home. Whether you need sump pump installation or the latest bout of heavy rain warranted the need for sump pump repair, we’re here to help. We’ve served SoCal homeowners since 1981 and you can count on us for services that bring peace of mind during periods of inclement weather.

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Signs Your Sump Pump Needs Repair

Monday, September 4th, 2023
Heavy rain causing flooding and deep puddles

A frequent question we get from Orange County homeowners is, “What is a sump pump and does my home need one?” Although we don’t suffer from frequent rainstorms in this part of the country, we have been seeing our fair share of torrential rain. In fact, we recently had a tornado in the forecast that threatened to bring unprecedented rainfall to Southern California.

When heavy rains strike, your home is prone to flooding in its lower levels. Anyone who has had to deal with water damage remediation knows how expensive and difficult it can be to rectify. For these reasons, we recommend sump pump installation to Orange County, CA residents. Learn more about how a sump pump is a simple yet effective device for keeping your home dry during our wettest weather.

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These Are Your Choices for a Sump Pump in Laguna Hills, CA

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Here in Laguna Hills, sump pump technology remains a reliable and effective way of preventing home flooding. We have our share of flooding problems during the rainy season, thanks to shallow sewer systems and our hilly terrain. A sump pump, which is placed in a pit in your basement, can swiftly pump floodwaters out of your home: keeping your property and possessions dry in the process. As always, it pays to consult with a professional when selecting a model for your home, but in general terms, these are your choices for a sump pump in Laguna Hills, CA.

  • Pedestal pumps. Pedestal pumps are less expensive and easier to install than other types of pump. They’re mounted on a stand above the pit, keeping the motor out of the water. They work best in areas that get a lot of flooding, though their position above the pit means that they can be fairly noisy.
  • Submersible pumps. These pumps are placed directly in the pit, and are designed to operate while under water. They cost more to install, but tend to be more efficient, and because they’re underwater, they don’t make as much noise.
  • Back-up pumps. Most pumps are run by electricity from your home. A back-up pump is battery powered and intended for use when the electricity goes out.
  • Sewage pumps. These pumps are specifically designed to remove sewage waste and semi-solid materials from you home. This is a significant consideration in Laguna Hills, were our flooding issues often entail overflowing sewers.
  • Combinations pumps. Combination pumps merge a primary pump and a battery-powered back-up pump into one system. It’s a solid choice if you want to cover all your bases without a lot of additional hassle.

A qualified expert plumbing service in Laguna Hills, CA can discuss your choices for a sump pump, then perform an installation once you’ve found the best model for your home and budget. The professionals at Saddleback Plumbing have the skills and expertise to help you out in all stages of sump pump installation. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Sump pumps tend to be more of a staple on the East Coast, where heavy rains and flooding are more of a problem here in Southern California. Nevertheless, our recent rainstorm has demonstrated that we’re not immune to such concerns and here in Rancho Santa Margarita, sump pump technology can be a lifesaver. So how does a sump pump work? And more importantly, why should you consider one for my home?

The sump pump is typically placed at the lowest point in the home: a basement or similar location. A hole is dug and the sump pump is placed inside of it. When the rains arrive and flooding begins, the water naturally moves into the sump pit first. A float activator or a pressure sensor in the pump detects the presence of the water and activates the pump. The motor turns on and activates the impeller, which is like a fan. The impeller pushes the water to the sides of the pipe, which creates a vacuum at the center of the pipe. The vacuum pulls he water up and out of the house through a venting pipe.

You can choose between several different types of pumps, most of which run on electricity. (They usually run on a standard plug, so you don’t need any additional equipment to power them.) The cheapest models are pedestal sump pumps, which sit on a pole above the pit and use a pipe to pull the water in. They’re less expensive than other sorts of pumps, but they’re noisier and more obtrusive. Submersible pumps sit inside the water, which serves as a natural muffler. They use waterproof casing to keep their components dry and tend to operate more efficiently.

If you know how a sump pump works, then the next step is to contact an expert to discuss which model might be best for you. At Saddleback Plumbing, sump pump technology and other plumbing services in Rancho Santa Margarita are just some of our many specialties. We can discuss the specifics with you before installing the right model for your home. Give us a call to set up an appointment today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Plumbing Tip 13: Sump Pump Maintenance

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Your sump pump is designed to prevent water flooding in your basement, and the ensuing damage that can result. It is installed in the lowest part of your basement, and connected to a drainage system that removes the water from the premises. Depending on whether you have an upright or submersible unit, the maintenance tasks will vary. But as with any system, routine maintenance is the best way to keep it in tiptop shape. Because your sump pump may only operate occasionally, when there is flooding or a large storm, maintenance is all the more important. Don’t take any risks with your water insurance device. For Tustin CA plumbing, call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing today!

Here are some typical sump pump maintenance duties.

  • Check the electrical power supply. Make sure that your unit is plugged in, and that if you have a battery backup system, the batteries are in working condition. In the event of a flood or serious storm, your power may also go out, and if you don’t have a backup generator, then your sump pump cannot work. Battery backup is a great feature.
  • Thoroughly inspect all aspects of the pump. Your technician will inspect all aspects of the sump pump in order to ensure that any parts are properly lubricated and free of debris.
  • Clean pump inlet screen. The pump inlet screen filters the water that the sump pump absorbs so that the mechanical components do not get clogged with debris, typically small rocks, or clumps of dirt.
  • Test it out. Throw a pail of water into your sump pump pit in order to see if it’s working properly. Because your sump does not run constantly like other appliances in the home, this will give it a bit of practice, and you can monitor it to judge the performance.
  • Clean out the pit. Make sure that the pit itself is clean and clear, so that in the event of a flood, your sump pump will be ready to perform.

For more information about improving your sump pump, or to schedule a Tustin, CA plumbing service, contact Saddleback Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip: Why Proper Drain Installation is Important

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

The drain and sewer system in your home is a very important component of residential plumbing systems. It is the one system that is responsible for removing the waste water from your home to ensure that your home environment remains sanitary. Not only does this system include the drain lines and main sewer line, but there are other components that are integral to this process.

The plumbing experts at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning are committed to educating our customers about their plumbing system and why it is important to have it properly installed and maintained. We’ve included a list of the main parts of the drainage system in your home and how each of these components work together to make sure that your plumbing system is effective and worry free.

Drain Lines

The drain lines in your home should be able to remove heavy volumes of waste water from your home. That’s why it is imperative that they do so without getting clogged by materials, such as paper products or food waste. While homeowners can help by being careful about what they put down the drains or flush down the toilets, the installation of the drain and sewer system also plays a role in waste management for your home.

The plumber who installs the system should take into consideration the number of bathrooms and kitchen plumbing appliances you have, the age of your pipes for additions, and other considerations that are related to the layout of your home and local plumbing codes. These calculations will help to prevent any issues with the drain system in your home.

Sump Pumps

The drainage inside your home is just as important as the outside drainage, which includes sump pumps in some areas. Sump pumps remove any groundwater that gets into the lower parts of your home, and in areas prone to flooding, this is an essential part of preventing water damage. If you decide that you need an outdoor drainage solution for problems related to heavy groundwater, we install and maintain sump pumps and can create a custom plan fitted to your situation.

Proper installation applies whether you are adding a new fixture, a full bathroom, kitchen, or whether you are simply replacing any part of your existing drain and sewer system.

Call the professional plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning for all plumbing needs in Irvine, CA!

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