If you live in the Chicago area, then you already know that we get a lot of rain and moisture. Water can be extremely damaging to buildings, especially a structure’s foundation. If water has no place to go, it can remain trapped in soil and leak into your home’s cement foundation walls. The water can then cause cracks to form and further damage your home.
Excess water can also cause other issues, such as mold, mildew, damp air, and other health hazards. As you can see, water can be damaging, but there are ways to get rid of water so that it can’t hurt you, your family, or your home. The installation of a basement sump pump can remove excess water from your house by pumping it out where it can be properly drained.
At United Structural Systems of Illinois, we can examine your home or building to see whether you need a sump pump and sump pump pit installed. Learn more about sump pumps and why you may need one by reading on.
High levels of rain and melting snow in the spring can cause your Chicago basement to have water issues, which can lead to structural problems for your whole home. The professionals at United Structural Systems have the experience and best products available for your basement waterproofing in the Chicagoland area and suburbs. One of the ways to keep your basement dry is the installation of a sump pump system.
A sump pump is a pump that is used to remove water that has accumulated in a sump basin in a home's basement. During times of rain or due to a high water table, water travels along the perimeter drains of a basement waterproofing system to enter the sump pit.
Sump pumps are used when flooding happens regularly and where the water table is above the foundation of a home. Sump pumps drain the water away from the home and foundation. The installation of a new sump pump is necessary for both newly constructed homes and older houses with outdated drainage systems.
The sump pump stands in a sump basin, or pit, that has been dug in the lowest part of the basement. When the water level reaches a certain point in the pit, the pump activates and moves the water out of the pit through a discharge pipe that runs away from your home. Sump pumps turn on automatically through a float activator.
Sump pumps are powered by electricity and use standard household current. That is why it is a good idea to have a battery backup sump pump in case the electricity goes out. The professionals at United Structural Systems will install a sump pump in your Chicago home and also a battery backup system to assure you that your basement will stay dry.
Water drainage problems do not resolve themselves. You may be tempted to ignore water in your basement because maybe you don’t spend a lot of time down there, but this is a dangerous thing to do. Water doesn’t stay only on your basement floor. It gets into the walls, the air, and your personal property. It doesn’t only harm your basement—it damages your home’s entire structural integrity. For some homes, the structural damage could become so great that other expensive repair services will be required in order to stabilize the structure for the safety of anyone who lives in or enters the home.
Excess water and moisture can also damage your personal belongings, drywall, and interior walls, and it can make the air unsafe to breathe. Water on a basement floor could also be a dangerous slipping hazard. But homeowners do not have to deal with any of these negative issues if they resolve the water drainage problem. Sump pumps are cost-effective and work well to eliminate moisture issues, so you can sleep soundly at night knowing your home is safe and structurally sound.
There are two basic types of sump pumps you can have installed in your home—submersible pumps and pedestal pumps. Both can be fitted with options like a backup and alarm system and can have variances such as their horsepower, voltage, and cord length.
Submersible sump pumps are roughly three feet tall and rest in the water within your sump pit basin. They are encased in a waterproof housing with the pump at the bottom of the unit and an outlet pipe near the top. A grate is fitted to cover the bottom of the pump so it does not suck up any debris as it functions. Submersible sump pumps are a great option if you are looking for something that will be quiet. This option can have a battery backup in case of power outages.
A pedestal sump pump is situated on top of a pipe stand that will keep the pump itself from being submerged in water even if the sump pit is full. The pipe reaches deep to the bottom of the pit to draw water up and out. Pedestal sump pumps are louder than submersible sump pumps because the water does not dampen the noise. Pedestal sump pumps are a less expensive option for those looking for a new sump pump or sump pump replacement. This option can also have battery backup.
When you have the professionals at United Structural System install a sump pump in your Chicagoland area and Suburbs home, you will be getting the reassurance that you will not have a flooded basement that can damage personal possessions or your living space. It does not take much water to cause a lot of damage to your home.
If you have been ignoring the water problems in your basement, it could be causing you and your family health problems. Water creates mold and mildew that gets into the air that you are breathing. Mold is a fungi that grows in warm, damp, and humid conditions and spreads and reproduces by making spores. Exposure to mold can cause lung illnesses, wheezing, skin irritation, and nasal stuffiness. The longer you are breathing in this mold, the worse the symptoms can get. By installing a sump pump system in your Chicagoland area and Suburbs home, you will be eliminating the chance for mold growth and mildew growth.
So not only can a wet basement cause thousands of dollars in damage, it can be a health hazard to you and your family. Let the professionals at United Structural Systems install a sump pump system and keep you and your home safe from water damage. With us, you are in great hands. Our reputation is built on a solid foundation.
United Structural Systems of Illinois is a recognized leader in basement waterproofing and sump pump installation in the Chicago area. We are locally owned and operated and are members of the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors, Better Business Bureau, Foundation Engineers Network, and American Society of Civil Engineers. When you contact the professionals at United Structural Systems, you are getting the best. Do not hesitate to Contact us for sump pump installation, repair, or replacement in your Chicagoland area and suburbs home.
