When you think about a sump pump installation, you probably only focus on the pump. The pump, after all, actively moves water out of your basement and protects your home from flooding. But did you know that the discharge line plays just as important a role in protecting your home from water damage?
The discharge line carries water away from your home after the pump removes it from the sump pit. If this line sends water to the wrong location, that water can flow back toward your house. Then the soil around the foundation can stay wet, resulting in the same moisture problems all over again.
Below, this sump pump installer in Brookfield, Illinois is going to explain where sump pump discharge water should ideally go.
Keep sump pump water away from the foundation
A sump pump collects groundwater in the sump pit and pushes that water out of your home through the discharge line. But the system only works effectively when the discharge point directs water far enough away from the foundation.
If the discharge line releases water too close to your house, the surrounding soil can remain saturated for a long time. Saturated soil places constant pressure on the foundation walls and increases the likelihood of water finding its way back into your basement. Sooner or later, this situation can lead to the same basement seepage or water intrusion problems that the sump pump was originally installed to prevent.
The best discharge point is one that keeps water moving away from your home. The location should direct water far enough away so it cannot pool near your house and soak the surrounding soil or circle back toward your basement.
Find the best place for sump pump discharge
Every property handles water differently. So, the best discharge location can vary from one home to another.
On some properties, the best discharge point may sit in an area of the yard that naturally drains well and stays relatively dry after rainfall. In this situation, the discharge line simply directs water to that location so the ground can absorb and disperse it safely.
On other properties, the discharge line may need to connect to a swale or another drainage feature that can direct water away. These features carry water away from the property and prevent pooling near the foundation.
Some homes require a longer discharge line because the yard does not naturally direct water away from the house. In these cases, the line must extend farther into the yard to ensure the discharged water moves safely away from the foundation.
A professional sump pump installer in Brookfield, Illinois will factor in the behavior of water on your property before recommending the ideal discharge location.
Get a professional inspection
The safest way to choose a discharge location is to have your property inspected by a professional. An experienced sump pump installer in Brookfield, Illinois can evaluate the grading of your property and find any drainage concerns before installation. They can then recommend the best discharge plan accordingly.
This is how you avoid creating a new problem somewhere else on your property and how you make sure the discharge plan follows local requirements. In Brookfield, for example, the Flood Mitigation Program requires footing drain sump pumps to be disconnected from the combined sewer system.
Looking for a sump pump installer in Brookfield, Illinois?
If you are dealing with basement moisture or planning to install a new sump pump system in your home, ULB-DRY Waterproofing is the company to call. As the most trusted sump pump installer in Brookfield, Illinois, we can inspect your property and implement the necessary systems to keep your home dry. Contact us today to get started.