As you look out the window at the frozen Michigan landscape, the last thing you’re likely to be thinking about is the possibility of spring flooding. Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing doesn’t know what’s going to happen over the next few months, but we do know melting snow and spring rain can quickly raise the groundwater level. Without preparations on your part, you can easily end up with water in your basement.

Basic waterproofing is always good, but now is the time to talk with our Kotz experts about a sump pump installation to keep your basement dry and comfortable. If you’re like most people, you don’t spend much time thinking about sump pumps, but they are just part of the huge plumbing supply Kotz has available at our location in Waterford. Here are some good things to know when it comes to sump pumps:

1. When the water level rises, the sump pump turns on automatically
2. Sump pumps can be submersible (in the water) or pedestal type
3. Either type of pump pushes the water outside through a hose or pipe
4. Buy a pump with a cast iron core, not plastic (Kotz features pumps by Zoeller)
5. Since the power often goes out during storms, a battery backup is also a good idea

Saturated ground causes nearly all basement flooding. As the water table rises, the hydrostatic pressure can overwhelm even the best waterproofing measures. The pressure is so great it can force water into your basement through solid concrete walls and floors. If you’ve never had problems with a wet basement, you are one of the lucky ones. For the rest of you, it’s a problem you have to deal with. Ignoring a wet basement can lead to things like rust, mold, rotting wood, and unhealthy indoor air quality.

Not every situation demands a sump pump, but it doesn’t make much sense to wait until you have six inches of water on your basement floor before you decide to buy one. There are some common-sense reasons to have our plumber install a sump pump in your Waterford, MI home:

★ Your house is in a flood-prone area

• Builders often put homes in low-lying areas. In those situations, your basement floor could be just inches above the groundwater table. It’s generally agreed that sump pumps are the best way to keep the water out of your basement.

★ You just did an expensive basement renovation

• Why risk all that money you just spent turning an unfinished basement into living space? Excess water will quickly destroy or heavily damage finished floors and walls.

★ Your basement has flooded before

• If your basement has flooded before, or if you see signs of past flooding after you move in, chances are good it will flood again. A sump pump can prevent that.

★ You get a lot of rain and/or snow

• When you live in an area where heavy precipitation is common, chances are good it’s only a matter of time until you have water in your basement.

Kotz can also install water sensors as part of a complete safety system. The sensors will warn you if water is present on the basement floor. It can happen if the pump is overwhelmed or stops working. Sump pumps and sensors are just two more ways Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has been keeping your home comfortable (and dry) since opening its doors in 1929