Best sump pump installation pros near Pontoon Beach, IL

A small sump pump running infrequently uses an average of 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. The average cost for electricity is $0.171 per kWh. The size and use frequency affect how much electricity it uses. Sump pumps average one-third to one horsepower (hp) motors. One hp is equal to 745.7 watts. Watts multiplied by the time your pump is running divided by 1,000 equals your average kWh. Multiply kWh by your average cost of electricity. In areas with high rain or a marsh basin, the average cost can be as high as $15-$25 a month.

One common reason a sump pump stops working is improper sizing. Different locations need different sizes and power ratings of sump pumps depending on the typical amount of water the pump needs to manage. If your sump pump is too small for the quantity of water, it can overwork and either burn out or reduce the life of the unit. If the pump is too big, it can overwork and burn out early. 

A sewage ejector pump is necessary if you have any plumbing fixtures, such as a bathroom, laundry room, or sink, located below the level of your home's main sewer line. Standard plumbing relies on gravity to move wastewater and solid waste to the municipal sewer or septic tank. However, for fixtures located below grade (e.g., in a basement), gravity is not sufficient.

The purpose of a sewage ejector pump is to actively pump this wastewater and solid waste upward into the main sewer line. Without an ejector pump in this situation, wastewater would have no way to exit and would eventually back up, causing a sewage overflow or flooding in your basement. If all of your home's plumbing is on the main floor or higher, gravity can handle the drainage, and an ejector pump is not needed.

A sump pump should be placed at least three feet deep in a pit. The rim of the sump pump basin should be level with your basement floor. If you find your pit is too deep, you can fill the bottom with gravel until the rim of the sump pump is flush with the floor.