Glossary of Terms

Purchasing and installing a sump pump can be confusing if you don't know the terminology.

Here's a list of words that might help you with the process:

• Gallons Per Hour (GPH): This refers to the amount of water that will be pumped out each hour.
  
  
• Capacity: the volume of water pumped in gallons per minute and the travel distance of the water (height and distance).
  
  
• Head: the height and distance water will need to travel out of your home.

• Horsepower (HP): This refers to the amount of power that the sump pump has.
  
  
• Sump: a pit or hole.
  
  
• Sump pump: a device that removes water from one area and pumps it to another. It is most commonly used in basements and cellars to prevent flooding.
  
  
• Sump pump alarm: a device that makes noise if water level rise to alert a homeowner.
  
  
• Sump pump basin: a container that is put in a sump pump pit at your basements lowest point.
  
  
• Sump pump check valve: stops water from flowing back into the sump pit after the pump is switched off.
  
  
• Sump pump cover: a lid that goes on the sump pump basin to prevent items from entering the basin.
  
  
• Sump pump float switch: the part of the device that floats and turns the sump pump on when water rises.
  
  
• Sump pump pit: the lowest point in your basement where the water will pool if there is a flood