Those who know the inconvenience of a flooded basement are well aware of the significance of sump pumps. Sump pumps are critical to maintaining a dry basement. Even so, most people worry about keeping the basement safe rather than their sump pump. One of the best ways to take care of your sump pump is to get a sump pump cover. Sump pump covers can prevent hazardous items from getting into your sump pump and it's motor, which could result in a broken sump pump. View your sump pump cover as the first line of defense in the fight against basement flooding.

Sump Pump Covers: Are You Breaking the Law?

The sump pump cover is so critical that building codes in numerous locations make it mandatory that you have one installed. Of course, it's not likely that a building inspector will stop by your house to check, so the responsibility to buy one is yours alone. Check your local building codes to learn more about the requirements.

All covers should include a child-proof lock to protect the safety of children who might remove the cover and enter the pit.

Sump Pump Cover Specs

Sump pump covers generally will be found as either perforated or solid. Solid sump pump covers are installed where there is a pipe located beneath the floor to drain the water. Perforated sump pump covers are utilized in drainage systems where the water must run across the floor prior to getting to the well.

Build Your Own Sump Pump Cover

If you don't feel like spending additional money on a sump pump cover and you're good with tools, consider making one yourself. Take a section of plywood and add a rubber gasket to create a seal. This method is comparable to a professionally manufactured sump pump cover and works like a charm. If your sump pump basin is larger than a standard size, you might have to construct your own cover anyway.

Additional Hazards Not Using a Sump Pump Cover

Another significant reason for using a sump pump cover other than damaging your sump pump, is gas. The earth's crust contains uranium, a radioactive material, that releases gas called radon. Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless and can enter your basement raising a potential risk to anyone spending lengthy periods of time there. By using a sump pump cover, the radon gas can not fully escape serving as a short term correction to a potential problem keeping you and your family safe. Radon is more potent in specific areas, so be sure to do your research to make sure you and your family are safe.

The bottom line is that a sump pump cover should be considered a mandatory item for your house. As mentioned before, sump pump covers may be mandated by law, assist in the prevention of hazardous gases, and help preserve the dependability of your sump pump. The small expense for a sump pump cover, could save you spending thousands of dollars in cleaning up water damage in your basement.

Little Giant TSW-B22A Pump, basin, clear view cover aassembly and discharge kit w/ clear check valve (507711)

Little Giant TSW-B22A Pump, basin, clear view cover aassembly and discharge kit w/ clear check valve (507711) TSW-B Series The TSW Submersible Sump Pump is an innovative alternative to the traditional submersible sump pumps. This pump features a solid state "IntelliSwitch" automatic switch and alarm circuit that eliminates the potential hang ups seen with float switches. The alarm portion of the circuitry is built into the "IntelliPlug" power cord plug. It has an audible alarm and a red warning light to indicate a high water condition in the sump. The "IntelliPlug" also has a green run light to show the pump is operating Little Giant TSW-B22A Pump, basin, clear view cover aassembly and discharge kit w/ clear check valve (507711) Features: • For use with 22" basin • Includes pump, basin, clear view cover aassembly and discharge kit with clear check valve • Pump is UL and CSA certified Little Giant TSW-B22A Pump, basin, clear view cover aassembly and discharge kit w/ clear check valve (507711) Specification: • Horsepower: 1/3 • Flow: 45 GPM @ 5' of Head • Cord Lenght: 10' • Shut Off: 32' • Voltage: 115 • Hertz: 60 • Amps: 4.5 • Watts: 475 • Weight: 26.13