Install a Sump Pump in Basements.

Sump pumps can remove incoming water due to severe storms or other heavy sources of exterior water near the home’s foundation. Adding the sump pump is crucial but the system is made even more effective by the following measures.

• Diverting water at least 10’ away from the foundation. Too many sumps simply discharge the expelled water right back against the foundation! See Figure 9–7.
• Provide battery backup so that the sump will operate during a power outage.
• Ensuring that the foundation’s perimeter drain system feeding into the sump pit is installed properly to prevent clogging over time (e.g., gravel with filter fabric as shown in Figure 3–4).
• Air sealing the cover of the sump pit to avoid indoor air quality problems from radon, odors, etc.