* A submersible pump is about 12 inches tall and is placed completely inside the tank inside the bottom of the pit. Some contain a float switch on a rod that is 4 inches tall while other have a different float switch. This switch is electrical and encased in a hard plastic bubble and floats when the water rises. When the water reaches a certain height to a vertical position above the pump, the switch activates the pump.

Submersible pumps are located on the bottom of the units and the water is sucked up through the bottom. This type of pump also comes with a grate or screen over the face of it to keep any debris from getting into the impeller; which creates the suction.

* A pedestal pump is mounted on a small pedestal and stands about 30 inches tall. The motor of this pump has a pipe that extends to the bottom of the pit and a float is attached to a metal rod. This float moves up and down as the water raises and lowers. When the float gets to a certain height, the motor of the pump is activated and the water is sucked up through the hose and ejected through another pipe. Since the motor of this type of pumps is not designed for underwater use, the switch will activate the pump before the water reaches the bottom of the pumps motor.

To allow space for the pump and the piping as well as the water storage between pumping, sump pits should be about 2 feet in diameter.

It is advisable to use a liner when constructing a pit for your sump pump and plastic is a preferable material. Metal can also be used in it's construction. Be sure to place 3 to 4 inches of course gravel should be placed in the bottom of the pit when installing the liner.

One of the worst things a homeowner may experience is a basement that constantly leaks with every rain or snow melt or a basement that is flooded. One of the ways to prevent this from happening is with a sump pump. Sump pumps are handy devices that help you maintain the value of your home. Not only do they protect your belongings and your foundation from water damage, but they also save you thousands of dollars in water damage repairs.

When you buy a sump pump, you have a choice of power sources for the pump. You can buy sump pumps that plug into a normal electrical outlet. These work fine doing their job of removing water from your flooded basement... until the power goes out.

Backup sump pumps, powered by batteries are also available. These can operate alongside the plug-in sump pump, or they can operate on battery power when the power goes out.

If the area that you live in is prone to storms, a battery backup sump pump may be a good idea, so you can be sure that the water will be removed from your basement, whether or not the power is on.

Other sump pumps that will work with the power off, are powered by the water pressure in the house.