Unfortunately, excess moisture is fairly common in the basements of Massachusetts houses. If your basement is damp and musty-smelling, you can verify your suspicions with this test: Tape a 2-foot-square section of plastic sheeting to any wall or surface where you suspect moisture may be entering or accumulating. Check it in a day or two. Any wetness indicates a moisture problem in that part of the house.
If you do find a problem, you can first try to solve it with a dehumidifier. Then examine your gutters for leaks or plugged areas, make any necessary repairs, and make sure the gutters are directing water away from your house's foundation. Then do the plastic sheeting test again. If you still have moisture, it's time to consider a sump pump.
Some tips to help you choose from among the variety of sump pumps on the market:
- Don't buy more horsepower than you really need. Sump pumps are normally one-quarter to one-third horsepower. A smaller unit is adequate for minor problems.
- Make sure your unit has sufficient head pressure. Your pump must be able to lift water up from the sump pit to the outlet pipe. Get a pump that can exceed that height by about 10 percent.
- Automatic operation is far more convenient for most people, and you won't save much by purchasing a manually operated unit.
- Select the alarm notification and backup method that you find most useful. There are many choices available.
- Don't use an extension cord. Make sure you get a pump with a long enough cord to make it to the GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter).
Feel free to consult the professionals at Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning with any questions about selecting or installing a sump pump in your home. We are a full-service operation with decades of experience, and we're always happy to help our neighbors in the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. Contact us anytime.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about sump pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.