If you live in a house that doesn’t already have a sump pump installed in the basement or the lowest section of the building (such as a crawl space), you may have thought if it’s something you need to purchase. That many homes already have sump pumps in them is a pretty good indication of the answer: although sump pumps aren’t necessary in all climates and areas, Chicagoland is definitely a place where they are semi-essential.
In other words, if you don’t have a sump pump, get in touch with our plumbing professionals and find out more about getting one put in soon.
Flooding
According to the research site FloodFactor, “[t]here are 114,318 properties in Chicago that have greater than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. This represents 29% of all properties in Chicago.” This is referred to as “moderate” risk, but that’s still an enormously high risk—more than one chance in four that severe flooding could affect your house in the next 30 years.
That’s only considering severe damage from major flooding. There is also the danger that comes from lesser flooding. This may not devastate your house, but any level of standing water in the basement will harm your property and belongings and require expensive water and mold remediation.
With a sump pump installed, you’ll have the immediate effects of most flooding taken care of. The pump will activate automatically and start to “bail out” your house by removing the excess water in the lower part of the house into a storm drainage system.
Water Moisture
Flooding from extreme weather isn’t the only source of water damage to your house that a sump pump can help you with. Water moisture often seeps into the basements of homes from the local water table. This is a bigger problem if you live in an older house where preventing water seepage was not a large consideration when the house was built.
Although you may see the immediate effects of this water moisture, it can have long-term detrimental effects on your home because it promotes mold growth and wood rot. It will also lead to higher humidity levels inside your home, which affects comfort and can also lead to health concerns.
The Cost of a Sump Pump
When you consider the risks your home faces due to water damage—weather catastrophic or chronic—a sump pump becomes one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your house. You’ll need to pay to purchase the sump pump and have it installed (only experienced professionals can install a sump pump), after which you can expect it to work for 10 to 15 years before you need to replace it. Compare this cost to the massive cost of water damage remediation and mold remediation and a sump pump is an absolute bargain. And this doesn’t even take into account the peace of mind that comes with having one.
We offer service for sump pumps in Evanston, IL and are glad to answer any questions you may have.
For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!