So, we decided AGAINST getting a sump pump.

[CTyankee]

The flood in our basement was caused by a broken hot water heater. The basement is dry even after big rain storms. The hot water heater broke because we didn't remember to replace it after 10 years or so. It gave out after 19 years (there was a date on it).

A good sump pump is costly, around $5,000.

A sump pump in your basement is a huge drawback when selling your house. Buyers want to know why you have it and foresee a future with a flooded basement. That is a dread of any potential house buyer.

We have enough money from the insurance to make the basement area attractive to anyone who has teenagers who want to hang out, or practice their drums. Or get away to watch TV, play ping pong, or whatever I don't wanna know about.

That is a closed chapter.

[Pobeka]

1. Sounds like the best outcome, all things considered.

Glad you could avoid the high cost!

[gab13by13]

2. If you don't get water from the outside

you don't need a sump pump. They aren't that expensive but you would have to jackhammer out a sump hole, run PVC pipe through your wall to the outside. Plus, unless your floor slopes toward the sump hole you will have to push the water into the hole anyway.

[MerryHolidays]

3. I think there are two different issues

From what I gather, you don't need a sump pump because your basement does not flood from natural causes like rain. Rather, it flooded from a burst water heater. That's a one-time (hopefully) occurrence, and I wouldn't think that this would require a sump pump.

Many homes with basements have sump pumps, and it's not at all unusual. As long as the sump pump works, there is effectively no chance for water damage. A very good sump costs far under $5000. I put a high-end system in with a battery back up and dug a French drain several feet long for far under that amount just a few years back. The sump pump with back-up itself was only about $600 most of the rest of the cost was for labor to dig the trench for the sump pump.

You're lucky you don't need a sump pump. By contrast, I do, and it is easily the most cost-effective way for us to remediate water issues during heavy rains.

[CTyankee]

6. The $5000 cost was the recommendation of our very good friend who is a retired plumber.

He's been in our basement so he knows what we are dealing with. This house is a pre-war colonial and has good bones we are told. It's a lovely neighborhood. We have upgraded the windows (from the rope and pulley days!), put on a new roof, but will have to paint when the time comes. We also have a wooden fence in the backyard, which is attractive. The back is cleared of any junk and is just an expanse of green grass. We have a screened in area for cookouts.

Because of a recent home invasion next door we have installed an alarm system which we arm at night and disarm in the morning.

[CentralMass]

4. On a tangentially related note. My parents house had unusually high town supplied water pressure.

It might have had something to do with the proximity of the house to the nearest pump station. They had to replace the pressure regulator in their basement a number of times over the years. Anyhow to cut to the chase while they were vacationing in Florida one of the water supply houses connected to the washing machine in the basement burst and was flooding the basement. As a remedy I replaced the hoses with the high pressure ones that have the stainless steel mesh. I was checking on their house periodically and luckily I caught it fairly early. Normally on my checks I wouldn't go into the basement but fortunately I did on that day. Their basement was a walk out and I was able o use a shop vac to remove the water and cleaned up and remove damaged items before they returned.

[CTyankee]

5. Yes, we once had a problem with the water hose to the washer came loose and had a small flood.

We now have it tethered to the large sink next to it with duct tape and check it every other week when our cleaning lady comes to do laundry.