It is hard to believe we use products in our homes today that have their roots in designs which are more than 130 years old. When it comes to sump pump products, however, that is absolutely true.
At Chapman we are proud to install sump pumps manufactured by Myers. In business since the 1870’s when they first introduced a dependable double-acting hand pump, today they offer a full line of sump pumps, sewage pumps and effluent pumps. Even after all these years they continue to set the standard for quality, value and reliability.
Their product line includes:
Submersible Cast Iron Sump Pumps
These products are installed in the lowest portion of your basement or crawl space. Since water will naturally flow downhill this is where water typically collects. A hole is dug for the sump and the submersible pump is installed under the floor. This is the most common and simplest operating sump pump available. As the sump well fills with water, a float switch is triggered. The water is then pumped out of the area into a storm drain, dry well or retention pond.
The key features of the Myers Model MC1033 Series
- Performance where it counts with 40 GPM at 10′
- Heavy-duty cast iron construction
- Upper and lower double lip seals deliver smoother operation
- Dual ball bearings
- Permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor promotes less energy consumption and longer life
- Multiple automatic switch options
- Raised inlet to reduce the maintenance time
- This product comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Battery and Water-Powered Backup for your Sump Pump System
Homeowners in central Indiana rely on their sump pumps most during extreme weather. Unfortunately the high wind and lightening, which often accompany heavy rains that flood basements, may cause short term power outages.
Battery and Water-Powered backup pumps help protect the basement from water damage by kicking into action during power outages or primary sump pump failures.
We typically recommend one of the Glentronics, Inc. Pro series battery backup systems or the Water Commander water powered backup pump.
Talk to a professional
Remember your sump pump is a piece of equipment with moving parts that may wear out over time or need to be replaced. It is important to periodically test the unit to be sure it is working correctly.
If you are have questions about how well your sump pump is working, if you need a new one or if you should add a battery backup, the qualified technicians of Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing can answer all your questions.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide sump pump services for your home today
The cost of a sump pump is well worth the amount of money you save by having one. Unfortunately, just having one isn’t enough. Today we’re talking about the real cost of a flood, what you need to do to make sure your sump pump is in good working condition and a few backup precautions to keep in mind.
Average Cost of Flood Damage
Depending on the type of damage, amount of water and location, the cost varies from a few hundred to thousands. According to Floodsmart.gov, drying a flooded basement can cost anywhere from $500 – $20,000.
- 1-4 inches: the estimated cost is $10,00 or more, depending on the size of the basement.
- 5- 8 inches: Flood Smart estimates roughly $20,000 in damage.
Try out the flood simulator to see how much it would cost if it were your home. You never know when flood waters might hit. Take Wildwood, New Jersey for example. A coastal town familiar with storms and flooding in the warm season, they were not prepared for what happened in the middle of winter. Warmer weather melted the snow and sent over 9 feet of flood water into the homes and basements of the town’s residents.
Average Life Span
Sump pumps are relatively low-maintenance. Routine checks keep systems working properly. We recommend regularly checking the discharge line, inlet screen and pit to clear any debris or blockage. Slowly pour a bucket of water down the drain to test the pump. Check outside to make sure the water is going where it is supposed to , far away from the home.
When your pump start showing its age , or stops working the way it’s supposed to, it’s time for a replacement. A sump pump life span is about 5-7 years. You don’t want to be left vulnerable when you need a pump the most, so it’s a good idea to replace it when it reaches this age range.
Not only are newer pumps more reliable, technology updates have made them faster and more efficient at removing water.
Backup Precautions
A flood could happen at any time, sometimes without you knowing. Wi-Fi enabled water alarms alert you to water in the basement when it happens. This is your first step to minimizing damage and cost in the event of a flood.
Usually one of the first things to go in bad weather is the power. If you’re lucky, the power stays on, your pump is in good working order and the basement stays dry. If not, a backup sump pump is your best line of defense against expensive water damage.
Battery pumps or water powered backup pumps can easily be installed in normal to narrow sump pits. They automatically begin pumping during power outages, when the main pump fails or when water exceeds the capacity for the main pump.
The investment to purchase a battery or water powered pump is worth the peace of mind. On average backup pumps cost between $1,600 , $2,200, depending on the pump selection and installation requirements.
Backup sump pumps are worth the time and money to protect your home. When you’re ready to talk about sump pumps, the installation process and how your whole home will benefit from one, give us a call or schedule an appointment.
Looking for plumbing services contact Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, today
Part of our mission at Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing is to give back to our community. Our friends, family and neighbors do so much to support us, we want to do the same for them. Many of our team members volunteer for a variety of organizations throughout the Indianapolis area and we like to encourage all of our Chapmates to do the same. We want to take the opportunity to thank and highlight a few of the awesome organizations in the Indianapolis area!
Humane Society
Here at Chapman, we’re passionate about our four-legged friends at the Hamilton County Humane Society. The Hamilton Humane Society exists to help find animals good homes. They don’t just believe in first chances, they believe in third and fourth chances, really anything to help every adoptable animal the opportunity to find their forever home. Thank you for being a refuge for animals in our city!
Support our friends at the Human Society by attending an event, volunteering time, or consider adopting a friend for life!
Progress House
Another organization we feel strongly for is the Progress House. For those that might not be familiar, the Progress House was founded to empower residents to recover from addiction and re-enter society with the desire to lead productive and meaningful lives. The House provides a sober, secure, comfortable living environment where men can focus on their recovery from addiction.
Each year, Progress House puts together an event to raise money and awareness for those overcoming addiction. The annual Fight Night Fundraiser is one of our favorite events to contribute our time and resources. This fundraiser involves approximately 10-12 Golden Gloves bouts at the Indianapolis Colts Training Complex on 56th Street. Proceeds go to support the Progress House.
Clermont Lions Club Rodeo
Coming up soon is the Clermont Lions Club Rodeo. The Lions Club member serve unconditionally with sincerity and passion. For the last 66 years, the Lions Club has brought together community members to support literacy, speech and hearing, education, special needs and the children in our community.
These outstanding members of our community work hard to support each member and give back their time and compassion. Learn more about the annual rodeo on their Facebook page. If you can, consider sponsoring or donating an item for auction. We hope to see you there! Learn more on their facebook page!
These are just a few of the organization in the Indianapolis area. Share your favorite groups, giving or charities below! We encourage you to go out, find a group of people with a passion and donate some time!
Think you have what it takes to be a member of our team? Apply Today!
Despite what the popular song by Glen Campbell says, it does rain in Indianapolis in the summer time. When you add a naturally high water table to the frequent showers you are likely to have flooded basements and crawl spaces.
This flooding can damage anything stored in these spaces and the pervasive damp conditions can lead to mold formation.
Keep water out of the basement
Sounds simple, if water doesn’t get in, you don’t have to worry about pumping it back out. See if you can identify how the water is getting in. Sometimes a simple adjustment may make a big difference.
- Check your gutters; make sure they are not draining directly next to the foundation. Cleaning and repairing gutters will divert a significant amount of water away from your basement.
- Check the slope of your sidewalk, patio or pool deck. If any of these slope toward your house instead of away from it the water is likely to seep into the foundation.
Even when you make these adjustments, water will seep into the basement, that’s why sump pumps are so common in homes here in Central Indiana.
A home owner’s guide to sump pumps:
How the pump works: Water runs downhill, so sump pumps are installed at the lowest point in the basement or crawl space. As the water builds up in the sump pit, a float switch is triggered to push the water into the nearest retention pond, well, or storm drain.
While sump pumps come in both submersible and pedestal pumps we typically suggest the submersible one if your sump basin has the space. With this design the sump pit can be covered with a lid, reducing pump noise and preventing most debris from falling into the pit. An airtight lid also helps keep moist air from being released into your home.
Why you need a battery backup: During heavy storms your sump pump will be working overtime to get rid of excess water. Unfortunately, these heavy rainstorms are often accompanied by lightening or strong winds which may knock out your power lines. So just when you need the sump pump most, it may stop working. A simple battery backup will keep your pump running till the lights come back on.
How to test your sump pump: If you have an older sump pump it makes sense to test it every three months. Let’s face it, you don’t want to discover if doesn’t work correctly as your basement starts filling up with water.
It is very simple to test your sump pump system. All you need to do is fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and pour it slowly into the sump pump. As the area fills with water the float triggers will activate the pump. If your system is working properly, it will take just a few minutes for the water level to drop and the sump pump to shut off.
If it doesn’t drain correctly that’s the time to call one of the licensed sump pump service technicians at Chapman before the next rain storm.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to install a sump pump in your home today
