northeastguy78
New Member
Hi folks,
Just a quick general background of me. I am a new "single" home owner who recently purchased my first home with a finished basement. Coming from living in a condo on the 5th floor, having a basement and sump pump is totally new to me. Having that said, I have a few question I would like to ask you all and wouldn't mind taking as many advices from you experts. I want to extend my gratitude first and say thanks for sharing your knowledge for this newbie.
I know how the sump pump works, but other than that... I would like to know
The house I bought is alittle over 7 years old. Last weekend was our first heavy rain storm, with heavy rain none stop for a good 40 minutes and rained steady for the remainder of the day... The sump pump worked... maybe once or twice every hour?) However, I noticed 2 days after the storm, the sump pump would kick on once every 45 minutes steady....
So my first question is
A) How long does a sump pump last? Since the house is 7 years old and it looks like a cheap contractors pump when it was installed.... should I change it out soon? It works fine now, but how long will it last before it gives up?
Second
B) I don't think the original builder put a check-valve on it. As I noticed when the pump is working, it would suck the water in and when stops, some water back flows into the pump.....
C) I tried calling plummers to do the work and most of them.... just pushes the brand they carry and say it's the best. A few of them doesn't even want to listen to me and just wants to come in and start doing the work so they can get paid. What is the "most reliable" brand of sump pump I can get out there? Something that will work for years and doesn't give up or need to replace switch every 2 years or so.
D) There is a brand called "Watch-Dog Combination Primary and Backup Pump System model #DFK961 that sells for $278 at Lowes" It has a backup pump... is that a good brand or no?
I am paranoid about moisture and water so I definitely don't want my finished basement to be ruined. I run a dehumidifier down in the basement and have a quick dehumidifier question.
My basement during spring and summer season (currently) creeps up to about 68% humidity .... I have a hydrometer that measures temp and % of humidity in the air. I try to keep it at 55% but it would run 24/7.. then I set at 65% and it would run every 5 minutes.
If I keep the basement at 67~70% all the time, would mold grow? I don't know what is a suitable level for basements... here in the northeast (NJ) humidity is very high during spring and summer... so for arizona folks out there, it's tough to keep ours at 40~50% constantly.....without sacraficing the increase of electric bills.
thank you so much,
Sincerely,
James
Just a quick general background of me. I am a new "single" home owner who recently purchased my first home with a finished basement. Coming from living in a condo on the 5th floor, having a basement and sump pump is totally new to me. Having that said, I have a few question I would like to ask you all and wouldn't mind taking as many advices from you experts. I want to extend my gratitude first and say thanks for sharing your knowledge for this newbie.
I know how the sump pump works, but other than that... I would like to know
The house I bought is alittle over 7 years old. Last weekend was our first heavy rain storm, with heavy rain none stop for a good 40 minutes and rained steady for the remainder of the day... The sump pump worked... maybe once or twice every hour?) However, I noticed 2 days after the storm, the sump pump would kick on once every 45 minutes steady....
So my first question is
A) How long does a sump pump last? Since the house is 7 years old and it looks like a cheap contractors pump when it was installed.... should I change it out soon? It works fine now, but how long will it last before it gives up?
Second
B) I don't think the original builder put a check-valve on it. As I noticed when the pump is working, it would suck the water in and when stops, some water back flows into the pump.....
C) I tried calling plummers to do the work and most of them.... just pushes the brand they carry and say it's the best. A few of them doesn't even want to listen to me and just wants to come in and start doing the work so they can get paid. What is the "most reliable" brand of sump pump I can get out there? Something that will work for years and doesn't give up or need to replace switch every 2 years or so.
D) There is a brand called "Watch-Dog Combination Primary and Backup Pump System model #DFK961 that sells for $278 at Lowes" It has a backup pump... is that a good brand or no?
I am paranoid about moisture and water so I definitely don't want my finished basement to be ruined. I run a dehumidifier down in the basement and have a quick dehumidifier question.
My basement during spring and summer season (currently) creeps up to about 68% humidity .... I have a hydrometer that measures temp and % of humidity in the air. I try to keep it at 55% but it would run 24/7.. then I set at 65% and it would run every 5 minutes.
If I keep the basement at 67~70% all the time, would mold grow? I don't know what is a suitable level for basements... here in the northeast (NJ) humidity is very high during spring and summer... so for arizona folks out there, it's tough to keep ours at 40~50% constantly.....without sacraficing the increase of electric bills.
thank you so much,
Sincerely,
James