Protection Against the Unthinkable

Sump pumps are often out of sight, out of mind — but they are vital to help prevent flooding

It’s still winter in Canada, but it’s time to start thinking about the spring thaw.

Spring will be here soon, and with it will come melting snow, rainy weather — and increased risk of flooding. Sump pumps are an important part of defense against spring flooding, but not just any pump will do. It’s important that the right system be installed for the circumstances, taking into account local water levels and seasonal trends that may impact the risk of spring waters seeping into basements.

“This is the time of year when homeowners should be planning to protect their homes from flooding, and plumbing experts can help guide them to the correct decisions,” says Mike Wills, Wolseley Canada National Category Manager for Hydronics, Pumps, Rough Plumbing and Tools. “Wolseley Canada has built a broad assortment of sump pumps that will work in almost any application, helping customers stay dry and beat flood season.”

Basements have evolved from a dark, musty place where we store things to an integral part of a home’s living space. A finished basement is a significant investment, and a flood can cause significant and costly damage — to walls, flooring, furnishings, home electronics and irreplaceable personal items and keepsakes.

Sump pumps are a key piece of your home’s infrastructure put in place to keep basements dry. In preparation for spring, Wolseley Canada has a full range of sump pumps to meet any need.

Here are a few tips to make the best sump pump choices to protect homes and belongings:

• Make sure the pump is up to date and operating efficiently. Some homes may have a pedestal pump with the motor sitting above ground. Submersible sump pumps are compact and can sit inside a properly sealed and covered pit — meaning they also make less noise. They also tend to be more energy efficient and reliable.
• Integrate a back-up plan. A battery back-up system ensures the pump is ready to go even if the power fails.?Back-ups can also be found with WiFi connectivity to alert homeowners to potential problems or failures with the pump.
• The location of the home matters. A home with a low water table or far from bodies of water can get by with a low horsepower pump, but something with a little more power is needed for homes near water or on a floodplain. It is also vital that any home in an area where the threat of a flood is high has a back-up system installed.
• Consider insurance rate savings. A quality sump pump provides value beyond the price point and plays an important role in protecting a home and its contents. Some home insurance providers offer discounts when a sump pump is installed in the home.

Wolseley Canada, in partnership with Liberty Pumps and PROFLO, is hosting a technical training webinar for contractors on March 8th in English and French, exploring the best sump pump solution for protection against spring flooding. For more information or to register, please click here.

Liberty Pumps offers innovations in sump pumps and battery backup systems and PROFLO specializes in cast iron submersible sump pumps.

For more information, please visit your local Wolseley branch or wolseleyinc.ca.?