Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Be sure your pumps are properly designed and installed

Just because you installed a pump doesn’t mean you have installed the right pump. With the thousands of pumps available off the shelf, it’s critical you know what kind of pump you need before installing, ie: how much you need to pump in a specific amount of time? how much back pressure will be applied to that pump? You will also need to ensure the pump has been sized properly by a trained professional, in order for the system to be effective.

Invest in a back-up pump

Having only one pump is a disaster waiting to happen. A mechanically-operated pump is subject to failure due to wear, debris jamming, or a build-up of iron oxide. A backup pump will ensure water is pumped away from your home in the event your primary pump gets jammed or stops working entirely.

Include a high level alarm

A high-level alarm will alert you should water levels rise too high. A high-level alarm indicates when groundwater is exceeding critical levels so you can plan accordingly. This is the main piece of equipment that tells you that something is wrong with your system. You could have a failed pump, or have too much ground water during a heavy rain event. If groundwater around your home is rising faster than your system can cope, you’ll need a more robust system.

Rely on duplex panels

Duplex panels control the programmable logic center for your pumps. They function by cycling the work back and forth between your pumps so each gets equal wear. This basically means you’re getting double the benefit of your pumps and your system will last twice as long. Duplex panels can also be designed so an alarm is triggered when one of your pumps fails. Most pumps typically last for up to ten years, depending on cycle time and run time. Duplex panels can track that cycle and run time so you can make an informed decision on when your pumps should be replaced.

What is an automatic stand-by generator?

An automatic standby generator is a piece of equipment that will generate power to your home when there is a power failure. Emergency standby generators are an absolute must for homes that rely on pumps to keep their homes from flooding. These systems use a programmable logic controller, or PLC. In the event of a power outage, the PLC is triggered and sends a signal to a backup generator within 15 seconds. The generator starts up and then the system automatically transfers the power over to the generator by switching the circuit from your utility power to generated power. Once power returns, the automatic transfer switch senses the electricity and switches back to your utility from the emergency generator.

A small 6kw generator is all it takes to keep your pumps working, but you can install larger systems to run more circuits or your entire home if you wish. With these systems, everything happens automatically so you don’t have to run out in the rain to start up your backup generator. Most newer homes include emergency generators but many older homes do not. So be sure you are protected in the case of a power failure.

Why do I need to maintain my drainage system?

Most people don’t think about maintaining their drainage system until it’s too late. Maintenance is the key to reduce your chance of flooding during the rainy seasons. Whether its cleaning your drains by waterjet, performing a CCTV inspection on your pipes, or cleaning and testing your pumps and floats, the better you maintain your drainage system, the less chance you will experience a flood.