What Are Crawl Space Sump Pumps?
A sump pump is the removal engine of a crawl space water-management system. When groundwater or drainage water reaches the low point of the crawl space, it collects in a sealed sump basin, and the pump discharges it to a safe distance from the foundation. It is the answer to standing water and recurring groundwater in Alabama's clay soils and along the high-water-table Gulf Coast, where a drain alone has nowhere to send the water it collects. APS installs a sump as part of a drainage system so that water reaching the footing is captured and pumped out reliably, keeping the crawl space dry through the wet season.
How Crawl Space Sump Pumps Work
A basin is set into the lowest part of the crawl space floor, fed by the perimeter or interior drainage that channels water to it. As water collects and rises in the basin, a float switch activates the pump, which sends the water through a discharge line to a point well away from the foundation. When the water level drops, the pump shuts off. For homes that lose power during the storms that cause flooding, a battery backup pump keeps the system working when the grid does not.
“Drainage without a pump is a bucket with no way to empty it. The sump is what actually gets the water out from under your house.”
How APS Installs Crawl Space Sump Pumps
- 1
Locate the Low Point
APS identifies where water collects and sets the sump basin at the crawl space low point so drainage flows to it by gravity.
- 2
Set the Basin
A sealed sump basin is installed in the ground and tied into the drainage that channels water toward it.
- 3
Install the Pump and Float
A pump sized to the water volume is set in the basin with a float switch that activates it automatically as water rises.
- 4
Route the Discharge Line
A discharge line carries pumped water to a safe distance from the foundation so it does not return.
- 5
Add Backup and Test
Where power loss is a risk, a battery backup pump is added. APS tests the system to confirm it cycles and discharges correctly.
What Crawl Space Sump Pumps Cost and What Is Covered
Cost Range
Cost depends on the crawl space size, access, and system specified. APS provides a free written estimate after the assessment.
Warranty
APS in-house workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties on system components, both fully transferable to future owners
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sump pump if I already have crawl space drainage?
Usually yes. Drainage collects and channels water, but it needs somewhere to send it. In flat lots and high-water-table areas common in Alabama, a sump pump is what actually removes the collected water from under the house.
What happens to the sump pump during a power outage?
A standard pump stops without power, which is a problem because storms cause both the flooding and the outage. APS offers a battery backup pump so the system keeps removing water when the grid is down.
Where does the water get pumped to?
To a discharge point a safe distance from the foundation, so it does not simply soak back into the soil against the house. APS plans the discharge so the water leaves the area for good.
How is a crawl space sump different from a basement one?
The principle is the same, but a crawl space sump is set into the low point of the crawl space and paired with crawl space drainage. APS sizes and places it for the specific under-house layout.