Sump Pump FAQs in MD

Sump Pumps

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Do I need a sump pump?

Basements and crawl spaces are prone to water infiltration. Having a sump pump, ready to go at all times, would ensure your foundation is protected against flooding, especially during storms.

A sump pump alone, however, can only do so much. To completely waterproof your basement, you need to give it a full waterproofing treatment, by addressing the causes of infiltration and humidity and installing effective drains.

What is the best sump pump for my basement?

The perfect sump pump for your basement would be one that is able to handle any volume of water it gets, at any time of the year, while also being reliable and durable. The experts at Maryland Mold and Waterproofing will visit your basement and point out a pump that adequately fits your needs.

How do I choose the right sump pump for my basement?

Sump pumps come in different power and volume capacities. Some pumps are also more reliable and durable than others, with better activation mechanisms and measures against overheating. If you are unsure about which pump to purchase, let the experts at Maryland Mold and Waterproofing help you make a good choice.

How to keep the sump pump working when the power is out?

Sump pumps need electrical power to run. On the occasion of a power cut, having a battery backup would provide a much-needed alternative source of power. During a storm, this could save your basement from flooding, preventing damage and repair costs.

Do I need a backup sump pump?

If you have a whole house generator for power cut emergencies, then a battery backup sump pump would be redundant. Otherwise, it is a very good idea to have one. This would mean one less thing to worry about during a storm-caused power outage.

Maryland Mold and Waterproofing provides single and dual battery backup systems to cover your basement protection during power cuts. Our batteries kick in automatically and self-recharge once power gets restored.

I have a working sump pump, but my basement is still wet. Why?

Some reasons why your current sump pump may not be handling its job may include:

  • The sump pump is not powerful enough to handle the volume of water it’s getting.
  • The sump liner or basin is too small to contain all the water, so the basin overflows.
  • The drainage system is clogged or collapsed.
  • The sump pump was not installed in the lowest point of the basement
  • The drainage systems were not installed with the correct pitch to divert all the water to the sump pump liner.
My sump pump is churning but not pumping any water. Why?

Sump pumps have a switch that activates when a floating piece is lifted by a level of water. If this switch is broken or misplaced, the pump might be kept running unnecessarily.

Why is my sump pump running so often?

If nothing is out of order, then your pump is just getting a larger volume of water than usual. This may happen due to an increase in rainfall, but could also be caused by nearby construction sites or changes in the surrounding city sewers.

My sump pump is running hot.

Sump pumps heat up when they run for extended periods of time, and that is normal and expected. However, old or subpar pumps may overheat and break, even while being submerged in cool water.

Modern pumps, as the ones provided by Maryland Mold and Waterproofing, have a much higher resistance to overheating, due to being more energy-efficient and made of higher-grade materials.

My sump pump is not kicking in.

Check if the pump was not accidentally unplugged or if the circuit breaker was not tripped. Check if the float switch is unobstructed to move as water levels rise and lower in the basin.

If none of this solves the problem, call Maryland Mold and Waterproofing.

My sump pump is running non-stop.

If there is no water but the pump is still running, chances are the float switch is stuck on the “ON” position. Call Maryland Mold and Waterproofing for assistance.

My sump pump smells

Sometimes, debris and even small animals find their way into sump pump liners without lids. Standing water in the liner could be ridden with foul-smelling bacteria. The groundwater entering your basement could be getting mixed with sewer waste from surrounding areas.

The smell coming from your pump and liner isn’t necessarily harmful. Still, it is unpleasant enough to warrant a visit by Maryland Mold and Waterproofing. We will come over and make sure the air coming from your basement is fresh and clean.

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What Our Basement Waterproofing Customers Say About Us

Dan Velich
Dan Velich
2023-06-27
Was very knowledgeable and gave honest feedback on how to fix the problem, versus trying to just sell me something. Will definitely use again
Kerrie Sullivan
Kerrie Sullivan
2023-06-09
We used Maryland Mold and Waterproofing to remediate mold from our HVAC system and to water proof our basement. That meant coordinating an HVAC company as well as the waterproofing done by Maryland Mold and Waterproofing. Colin Hall was our representative and coordinated this beautifully. He was not only very professional but made sure the job was done to our satisfaction and even came out himself to put our basement shelving back together when the job was complete. He takes pride in his work and made sure we were well taken care of. We finally have a dry basement after years of rain water infiltration. I highly recommend Maryland Mold and Waterproofing and hope you have a similar experience.
Robyn Davis
Robyn Davis
2023-06-08
Collin was professional, kind and kept us in the loop in a timely fashion
Randy Goguen
Randy Goguen
2022-11-30
Maryland Mold and Waterproofing did a great job at performing mold remediation and crawlspace encapsulation on my house. I was pleased with all aspects of the process, from the initial estimate to project completion. I solicited estimates from three companies, including two national enterprises that advertise heavily. One never bothered to respond. The other sent someone to provide an estimate who was supposed to be a structural engineer (at least that was claimed in the company’s brochure), but had no such credentials on his business card. I had some concerns about possible structural problems, and the rep told me I needed a support beam and four jacks to buttress a “seriously under-engineered” floor. Subsequent attempts to follow up with that company met with no response. I decided to contract with Maryland Mold and Waterproofing and part of the contract included having an independent structural engineer evaluate the space. His evaluation concluded that there were no serious structural issues, just normal settling for a house that is 50 years old. The first MMW crew came out to remove all the moldy insulation and applied a fungicide in the crawlspace. Within a matter of days a chronic problem I have had with my sinuses that I thought I was stuck with for the rest of my life cleared up. A few weeks later a crew came to finish the encapsulation and install a dehumidifier. Both crews worked hard and efficiently in a very confined space and were courteous. I recommended the company to my neighbors, and MMW is doing the work on two more houses on my block.
Roger Cox
Roger Cox
2022-11-21
Nick did a fine job of explaining our project and his team was here on schedule and did quality work with no problems. They treated the mold, encapsulated the crawl space and installed a dehumidifier and a turtl access hatch. Excellent work.
Ron Foster
Ron Foster
2022-11-11
Great experience MD Mold and Waterproofing. The entire team was professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and did their jobs well. We have gone through a complete remodel of the old home we just purchased and have dealt with a million trades and contractors. The team from MD Mold and Waterproofing rose to the top! We'd highly recommend using them. Hats off to you, Nick and Colin, Freddy and the other gentleman who have made our basement water-free :-)
Roger Longenbach
Roger Longenbach
2022-07-22
After our drain broke we discovered mold under the floor. Maryland Mold and Waterproofing provided a quote and was able to respond quickly after our agreement was signed. The folks were professional and courteous. Their efforts were much appreciated. They are definitely a company to consider if one has a potential mold issue.

Service Area

Maryland Mold & Waterproofing offers a variety of services from waterproofing to foundation repairs. We offer the following services in your area, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, sump pump installation and service, basement crack repair, vapor barriers and moisture control.