Why Fit a Pump?

YDC Basements - Design Errors - Why Fit a Pump?

A question we are asked many a time is “Why do I need a pump? We’ve never had water in the cellar.

There are many answers to that question, such as:-

  • There could be a leak from your water main.
  • There could be a leak from your drains.
  • Heavy rains are becomeing more frequent.
  • Future changes to surrounding land can influence groundwater.
  • There could be a leak from your neighbour’s water main
  • There could be a leak from your neighbour’s drains
  • Digging down may take you closer to the water table
  • What about before you owned the property?
  • The fact is that there are so many factors that influence how water behaves in the ground and water is always drawn to the route of least resistance, usually the lowest point, unless there is an impervious barrier.

    A basement is a hole in the ground and as such water will be drawn to it. Even on a sloping site, if the basement cuts into the ground (which by definition, it will) then the risk remains.

    The British Standard BS8102 demands that waterproofing system designers consider the risk of water entry and that suitable protection measures are considered in the waterproofing design. For most designs, a pump station is an essential part of the protection. For those that do not require one as a primary protection measure, a rugged risk assessment would normally result in one as a secondary protection measure.

    As waterproofing specialists, we spend much of our time inspecting basements to ascertain why they have flooded. Not once has the property owner suggested that they knew it would flood one day.

    The true cost of remedying a flooded basement and upgrading it to one that contains a suitable level of water management is often in excess of £30,000. Insurance may contribute to the repair and replacement of some elements but there are always uninsured items such as wasted time, upset and upheaval and most importantly upgrading the waterproofing.

    It is therefore far more sensible to plan and include protection measures into the waterproofing design at the beginning. The costs of doing this could be as little as 15% of the recovery costs!

    We have a wealth of experience with the prevention and management of groundwater entry. If you would like to discuss a project further then get in touch.