Thrasher Foundation Repair Case Studies: Sump Pump Ensures Dry Basement in Grand Island | Thrasher
Challenge
This new homeowner purchased a home that previously had a wet basement repaired by Thrasher Foundation Repair and “inherited” the warranty that went along with it.
When Thrasher Foundation Repair installed a basement waterproofing system in this home in Grand Island, NE., Ashley didn't own the home at the time and wasn't the decision-maker. She received the transfer of the warranty upon the purchase of the home, by the previous homeowner. So, she didn't know much about the system including how it kept water out of her basement. Thrasher Service Technician Jake Critel helped to educate Ashley how the waterproofing system, including the sump pump, worked in concert to deliver a dry basement.
Battery Back-Up for Sump Pump Key to Peace of Mind
Thrasher sent out Service Technician Jake Critel to help explain the basement waterproofing system's functions to Ashley and help her with a new UltraSump battery to keep her system operating at 100% efficiency.
Jake explained what happens if you lose power during a thunderstorm and your traditional sump pump stops working? Or if your standard sump pump loses its power source. If you rely on a conventional sump pump to keep your basement or crawl space dry, you need to be aware of the reasons why your sump pump could fail. These reasons include:
- Power outages
- Circuit breakers tripping
- Pump unplugged
- Pump not installed properly
- Lack of regular maintenance
- Primary pump failures due to volume
An UltraSump sump pump system with battery back-up is the only system you can rely on for complete peace of mind. The UltraSump gives you several hours of additional protection against water damage if your primary sump pump fails.
The UltraSump battery back-up system sits on top of the primary pump. This means your UltraSump will only turn on when the water rises above the primary pump, indicating it has failed. The UltraSump battery back-up system has a high-capacity 120-amp power pack that can pump up to 12,000 gallons of water! It comes with a state-of-the-art charging system that can keep the battery charged while it is on. Bottom line, the UltraSump sump pump system with battery back-up is the only sump pump system that you can rely on for peace of mind.
Sump Pump is Critical for Keeping Basement, Crawl Space Dry
Here why it's essential to Ashley (or anyone else for that matter) to be able to count on a reliable waterproofing system for their crawl space or basement.
Crawl spaces without sump pumps often remain wet for days, weeks, and even months without the homeowner realizing there's a water problem. With the SmartSump™ Crawl Space Sump Pump, you have the comfort of knowing you're protected.
Along with a cast-iron Zoeller® sump pump, your system includes a floor drain to collect water from plumbing leaks and a WaterWatch® sump pump alarm that will sound off to notify you of water in the crawl space. Our optional battery back-up sump pump can be included, pumping out more than 11,500 gallons of water on a single charge for maximum protection.
The SmartSump™ Crawl Space Sump Pump is fully compatible with our complete crawl space vapor barrier system. If you have no groundwater concerns but would still like protection from plumbing leaks, you may also want to consider our crawl space drain system.
Successful Basement Waterproofing Solutions Require Back-Up Systems
Like NASA, it helps to have back-ups of your back-ups. At Thrasher, we look for ways to use products that can set your mind at ease about potential water issues in your basement. Our basement sump pump systems are the best in the industry and include the following features.
Water Watch® Alarm: Sounds off to let you know if water has risen past the point where the sump pump should have turned on.
SuperLiner Sump Liner: Large enough to keep your sump pump working properly without turning on and off repeatedly, but not so large that your liner goes too deep, making your sump pump wear out prematurely as it pumps out excessive water.
Airtight Sump Lid: An airtight lid keeps odors and humidity out while protecting your sump pump from debris. Rubber grommets around all pipes and wires help maintain the lid's seal and keep all PVC pipes steady and quiet.
CleanPump Stands: These sump pump stands are installed to raise the pumps off the liner's bottom. Any silt or sediment that settles on the bottom of your sump pit will be kept away from your pump. These stands also allow for height adjustment of the pump if necessary.
IceGuard® Discharge Line Protection: Many sump pump discharge lines are susceptible to freezing during the cold winter months. Our IceGuard® discharge line protection prevents this from happening, meaning if the underground pipe freezes in the winter, the sump pump can still pump water out without the worry of back-ups into your basement.
Thrasher Basement Waterproofing System Carries Transferrable Warranty
Ashley is benefitting from her good fortune to buy a home under the protection of Thrasher Foundation Repair. The waterproofing system that the previous homeowner invested in has kept Ashley's basement dry and allows her to use the finished basement. She is our customer because we have a transferrable warranty that allows her to benefit from the previous owner's decision to fix their problem permanently. Ashley wasn't around when the system was installed and didn't benefit from the initial customer education.
One way to make sure you understand the system's components and operations and make sure that it's operating at peak efficiency is to invest in the Thrasher Care Club. It gives you access to a Thrasher certified technician and helps you with regular maintenance. Regular upkeep and care of your Thrasher system can significantly reduce emergency service calls, ensure the system is working effectively, and increase your system's expected life span. Every annual maintenance includes a full inspection and complimentary basement protection evaluation.
Annual Maintenance of Your Basement Waterproofing System
While we have the best technicians install the best products available, every system needs a little upkeep. To make the necessary maintenance more manageable, we created Thrasher Care Club – an easy, recurring monthly payment of $9.99 that covers your annual maintenance appointment, priority scheduling and a 5% discount on future systems and products!
Here's what's included in a Waterproofing Annual service visit:
- Cycle & water test sump pump operations
- Clean sump system liner of sediment and silt
- Change battery in the WaterWatch® alarm
- Flush & flood test WaterGuard® system as necessary
- Evaluate discharge line(s) & potential for freezing
Ready for Peace of Mind
After Jake's visit, he found that Ashley has some driveway problems with cracked concrete, possibly caused by street creep. Jake explained to her what was going on and what the options were to fix the problem. So, although she cannot take on that project just yet, she is pleased to know what is causing the issue and where to turn when she's ready to turn a permanent fix into peace of mind. And, it includes a warranty she can pass on if she decides to move on! If you have any nagging problems where Thrasher Foundation Repair can help, call us at 800-827-0702 or link to our Free Inspection form here.
