Keep Your Basement Dry With a Sump Pump
A working sump pump moves groundwater away from your foundation before it floods the basement. Test it each spring, add a battery backup, and keep furnaces, boilers and water heaters off the floor.
Spring thaw is basement season
Between deep winter snowpack, rapid thaw and spring rain, many Upstate New York and Vermont homes see their water table rise right at the foundation. Older homes with stone or block foundations, and houses at the base of a hill or along a river, can be hit repeatedly.
Even if you have never seen standing water, damp basements raise humidity, grow mold and rust metal. They are also where your furnace, boiler, water heater and ductwork usually live.
Think about where your water goes in March and April. If your downspouts empty next to the foundation, or the yard slopes toward the house, you are inviting water in. Walk the property during a rain and watch where it flows.
How a sump pump works
A sump pump sits in a pit at the lowest point of the basement. When water fills the pit, a float switch turns the pump on and it sends water out through a discharge pipe to somewhere away from the house. A check valve keeps water from flowing back in.
The pump is a simple device, but it has to work on the worst night of the year: during a power outage, a storm or a fast thaw.
Test it before the thaw
- Make sure the pit is clear of debris and the pump sits level.
- Pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch the float lift and the pump turn on.
- Confirm the water is pumped out and the check valve does not let it return.
- Check that the discharge pipe is clear and ends well away from the foundation, not frozen shut.
Do this each spring and again in the fall. If the pump is more than about 7 to 10 years old, consider replacing it as a rule of thumb.
Listen for a pump that runs constantly, grinds or short cycles, and watch for rust or a dead float. Any of those mean it needs service before the next storm.
Plan for power outages
Heavy rain and ice storms often cause power cuts, which is exactly when a sump pump is needed. A battery backup pump or a water-powered backup, installed by a licensed plumber, keeps working when the power fails. Keep the outlet on a ground-fault circuit and avoid extension cords.
Also consider an alarm that alerts you if water rises too high. It costs little and gives you time to react, especially in a seasonal camp or a home you leave for long periods.
Protect your HVAC equipment
Raise furnaces, boilers and water heaters on pads or stands if water ever reaches the floor, and keep stored boxes off the ground. Water damage to a burner, control board or circuit can total a unit. Wet basements also cause rust on ductwork and boiler jackets. Our ductwork team sees this often. If a flood hits, do not turn on equipment until it has been inspected.
If you have a heat pump outdoor unit, make sure it sits above the expected snow and water level on a proper stand. Ours are mounted on aluminum stands that do not rust.
Control basement humidity
Even with a working sump, summer basement humidity can run high. Keep gutters and downspouts clear and aimed away from the house, grade soil to slope away, and use a dehumidifier if needed. Our indoor air quality team can advise on whole-home dehumidification and ventilation.
Who to call
Sump pumps and drainage are plumbing and waterproofing work, so a licensed plumber is the right call for installation. Superior CO-OP HVAC can inspect your furnace, boiler, water heater and ducts after any water event, with a written quote before any repair work. Call (518) 719-5614 on weekdays or use the 24/7 line at (518) 333-7431.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I test my sump pump?
Superior CO-OP HVAC suggests testing it each spring and fall by pouring water into the pit to make sure the float rises and the pump discharges. Test again before predicted heavy rain or fast snowmelt so you are not caught off guard.
What should I do if my basement floods around my furnace?
Superior CO-OP HVAC advises shutting off the power and fuel to the equipment if it is safe to reach, and not turning it on again. Have a technician inspect it first, since water can damage controls, burners and wiring. Not sure which applies to you? Ask us about wet basements at (518) 719-5614.
Does a sump pump help with humidity?
Yes, indirectly. Superior CO-OP HVAC notes that keeping groundwater out lowers basement moisture, though you may still need a dehumidifier in summer to keep humidity in a comfortable range and protect the equipment stored there. For wet basements, the office team at (518) 719-5614 can point you in the right direction.
Can I put my furnace or water heater on a stand?
Often yes. Superior CO-OP HVAC can raise equipment where clearances and venting allow, and aluminum stands are standard for our outdoor units. A technician can check what is possible in your basement before any work begins. Questions about wet basements? Call the office at (518) 719-5614, weekdays 8 to 5.
Do you install sump pumps?
Superior CO-OP HVAC focuses on heating, cooling and water heating, so a licensed plumber handles sump pump installation. We can inspect and repair HVAC equipment after any basement water event and give you a written quote. We are happy to look at wet basements during a free in-home estimate.
Thinking about a heat pump? Superior CO-OP HVAC is a Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor ELITE serving Upstate NY & Vermont. Get a free in-home estimate, run the Heating Cost Calculator, or call (518) 719-5614.