Sump Pump Repair & Installation in Missoula, MT

Protecting Your Home During the Winter and Spring Thaw

You wouldn't buy a car without making sure it would start, and in the same way, you should make sure your sump pump starts before disaster strikes. At Anderson's Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we are skilled at sump pump repair, installation, and maintenance if you need a plumber in Missoula or the surrounding communities.

If you don’t have a sump pump, now’s the time to have us install one. When you need us, we’re there with 24-hour emergency sump pump repair services.

If you have water in your basement or crawlspace, call our Missoula plumbing and sump pump experts now at (406) 296-5833 or contact us online.

Sump Pump Installation Services

A sump pump is a system that is designed to do one thing: remove water from an area. This could be any type of area, inside or outside. But when sump pumps are mentioned, it’s typically the ones that are installed into a sump basin at the lowest point in a basement to keep that part of the home dry. Sump pumps that are frequently used for stopping flooding in homes usually have two basic types:

1. Submersible pumps: Submersible pumps are those that are typically installed inside a sewer basin filled with gravel. They are good for pumping a high volume of water. If water is present to more than a few inches deep, they will begin pumping the water and are typically more reliability than the pedestal types of pumps.
2. Pedestal sump pumps: Pedestal sump pumps are raised above the water level so that their motors are below the water level. Pedestal sump pumps that use a plastic pedestal instead of a steel or fiberglass one can be very quiet in operation. However, they often do not pump out a high volume of water and if the water reaches the float on the pedestal, it can cause the pump to cease operation and water to back up into your living space.

Submersible sump pumps are often less expensive than the pedestal types, but only if you need to do repair or replace them. Higher-end submersible sump pumps typically offer a longer, more reliable lifespan. That said, a submersible sump pump is a popular option for replacing a hot water tank in the basement.

Sump Pumps Include Safety Features

When it comes to sump pumps, safety is key, especially if you have young children in the home. There are children and even grown adults who have not lived in a home where flooding is a problem. However, floodwaters are a very dangerous environment to have someone inside of, so a good sump pump should always have the necessary safety features.

One safety feature that is commonly installed on a sump pump is a backflow device.

If water pressure builds in a sump pump and is restricted, the pressure will decrease and the water will have nowhere to go but back into the pump. This backflow can cause severe problems including property and water damage, as well as the health issues that can result from breathing in mold spores. However, if a "flap" is installed in the sump pump to tighten the seal, the pressure will be released and the water can flow back where it belongs.

Other Essential Sump Pump Safety Features

In addition to the backflow devices, it's also important to ensure that a sump pump comes with a high-pressure switch and a low-pressure switch. A high-pressure switch can help prevent backflow by shutting the water off when the pressure becomes too high, while a low-pressure switch will turn the water off if the pressure drops below a certain level. A sump pump with a combination of these switches can provide the best protection against flooding.

Regardless of what type of sump pump a homeowner in the Missoula prefers, there are some important features to look for. Not all sump pumps are created equal and not all flooding systems are equal, but there are a few things that every sump pump repair person should check. For instance, one important feature is the capacity of the pump. The more water that a sump pump can remove at one time, the better. Essentially, the sump pump should be strong enough to handle the largest flood that can be expected.

Have questions? Ready to schedule a sump pump repair or replacement in Missoula? Give Anderson's Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing a call at (406) 296-5833.