Sump pumps are an essential part of your home’s plumbing system to protect groundwater from entering your home. A sump pump removes excess water from the ground, keeping your basement or crawl space flood-free.
Contrary to popular belief, these are not intended to prevent sewer backups. You can get sewage to flow back away from your home with a backwater valve, but installing a sump pump does not prevent any sewer line backflow.
These sump pumps are installed underground in a sump pit that includes a pump, basin, and a float switch, and are usually connected to your weeping tile drainage system. Whenever water levels rise high enough to activate the float switch, the pump will turn on and discharge water from your home’s foundation to prevent basement flooding.