Poor irrigation, hard soil, and a poorly maintained drainage system can lead to flooding around your foundation or even in your basement. Water is devastating to any material, causing concrete to weaken and allowing mold to grow. Sump pumps are the common go-to for homeowners with frequent flooding complications.
However, choosing the right one may seem confusing, especially when it comes to whether you should consider a pedestal pump or a submersible pump. Both can relocate floodwater, but each has pros and cons, so keep reading to learn which one is right for your home.
Pedestal Pros
Pedestal sump pumps are one of the easiest to install and maintain. Unlike submersible pumps, which sit underwater in a sump pit, a pedestal pump sits on the floor, such as the basement or crawlspace floor. This gives you easy access to put the pump up, take the pump down, check the pump, or maintain the pump.
Pedestal pumps are also an affordable option. While you can get either type of pump for as low as
$100 to $300, a pedestal pump experiences less wear and tear, which allows it to last longer. One reason pedestal pumps tend to last longer is because they aren't submerged in water, which can severely damage anything. Last, because the system doesn't constantly run, it experiences less wear and tear.
Pedestal Cons
The biggest drawback of a pedestal sump pump is the power. These pumps don't work as hard as submersible sump pumps, which means pedestal pumps take longer to redirect the water out of your home, increasing the risk of water damage. In severe storms, a pedestal pump may not be capable of working hard enough to keep your basement dry.
The other disadvantage is space. Pedestal pumps aren't hidden in the ground like submersible pumps, so you need space. This may also increase the risk of injury if someone trips over it or if a child tries to play with the pump.
Submersible Pros
Submersible sump pumps may be inside or outside your home. When inside the home, they are in the basement or crawlspace, depending on where the flooding occurs. Regardless of location, however, all submersible sump pumps sit below the ground, which allows them to take up little to no space.
In addition, being underground muffles some of the sounds from the pump. The water also helps absorb some sound and keeps the motor cool.
Submersible pumps are powerful. They can quickly remove water and some small debris from your yard, basement, or crawlspace. This makes them a valuable choice if you experience constant flooding during the rainy season.
Submersible Cons
Submersible sump pumps are harder to maintain because of their location both being underground and underwater. This may lead to the system breaking down faster than usual (and faster than a pedestal pump). In a best case scenario, if your pump stops working, you catch it fast but will still likely have to pay for repairs or replacement.
In a worst case scenario, you don't realize your pump has stopped working until your basement has flooded with potentially contaminated water. With pedestal pumps, you can easily see or hear that the pump has stopped working, so you are more likely to catch the problem before too much damage occurs.
If you experience a lot of flooding and you use your basement a lot, a submersible pump may be the best option. It will quickly and quietly remove water to help prevent water damage. If you prefer an easier-to-maintain option, a pedestal pump can be a good choice, but it won't remove water as fast. If you would like to learn more about sump pumps,
contact us
at RotoRooter today.