A sump pump is a homeowner’s first line of defense against heavy rains, high water tables and flooding. Horn installs and repairs sumps in homes throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
Pump system maintenance can prevent small problems from becoming big ones that waste energy, water and money. Here’s a look at what we do:
Foundation
A pump’s foundation is crucial to a long-lasting, trouble-free installation. Pump motors generate vibrations, and it’s the job of the base plate and foundation to transfer them into the ground. This protects the equipment from damage caused by vibration, and it allows the piping system to remain properly aligned.
A growing trend in pump design is the use of a fully corrosion-resistant foundation system that combines the customary equipment mounting surface and concrete support column into one piece. This reduces installation time and costs while reducing maintenance risks.
If your pumps seem to need frequent realignment, a damaged or poorly constructed foundation may be to blame. The team at Texas industrial pump services can inspect your foundation and recommend the right construction for your specific environment. Then they can install a metal base plate and concrete foundation to provide a stable, vibration-free platform for your equipment. This ensures peak performance and reduced repair costs over the long term.
Shaft Alignment
Whether using a flexible coupling or not, it’s a good idea to align the pump shaft with the motor shaft to prevent premature wear on seals, sheaves and bearings. Misalignment is said to account for up to 50% of all pump breakdown costs, so it’s worth the effort during installation and on a regular basis throughout operation.
The simplest method for checking alignment is to place a feeler gauge at the gap between the lower and upper sheaves, but this method doesn’t always produce accurate results. Modern laser alignment tools check for two main types of misalignment: parallel (or offset) and angular.
To correct vertical positioning, shims are placed under the baseplate feet. Shims are available in a range of thicknesses and can be purchased from suppliers or homemade. The shims are placed until movement of the foot is minimized. For a safe and controlled procedure, many manufacturers provide integral jackscrews threaded vertically in all feet or slots that accommodate jacks or hoists of a suitable load rating.
Piping
The success of a pump system is often directly related to the piping that connects it to the motor and the well. Both the suction and discharge piping must be properly aligned and supported so that the fluid doesn’t create any undue strain against the pump connections.
Proper pipe diameter is also important. A smaller pipe will cost less upfront, but it will also consume more energy. Generally the pump industry recommends a minimum of 5 to 10 times the diameter of the suction pipe in length.
Once the piping is connected, and all connections have been rechecked for tightness, a final pressure test should be performed with water at full capacity, or as close to full as possible. This step is a good opportunity to check for any signs of leaks in the new piping. Shut off power and the well breaker, then recheck alignment and do a hot (fluid) alignment to make sure that the pump and piping have not moved since the last alignment check.
Installation
A new pump should always be installed on a strong baseplate. This foundation must be rigid and clean of debris. It’s also a good idea to install a weep hole in the discharge pipe. It helps combat air-lock issues and water pressure fluctuations in the pit.
If you’re installing a primary pedestal or submersible sump pump, it’s best to call a professional pump installation service. These experts can help you choose the right type of pump for your home and install it safely in your pit.
They can also install a backup sump pump as a precautionary measure in case the primary pump fails. These backup pumps run on electricity or batteries and can be used to prevent basement flooding. They can even be powered by your water pressure if you have one. Lastly, the plumbers will connect the pump to your home’s plumbing and electrical system and test it. They’ll also explain how to use your new pump properly for optimal performance.