sump pumps, should i buy a house that needs it?

Question

i am looking to buy a 2 unit house, and i really like one of the properties but there is one thing that worries me, and that thing is a sump pump. The sump pump was installed in 2011 because the owners had the basement flooded back then.

so i am worried because before i used to work for a restoration company and most of the work i had to do was cleaning basements because the sump pump clogged or failed, so my question here is, should i buy a property that needs a sump pump? or should i just let it go? thanks.

PD: they said the installation and the actual the sump pump costed 9k also has a back up battery.

Matthew Paul · Answer

I wouldnt have a house without a sump pump .  Around here there are very few slab houses , so sump pumps are required .  There are 2 types of basements , ones that have flooded , and ones that havent flooded yet .

Max T. · Answer

A pump system is like an insurance policy.

I like having insurance.

I like the post above that mentioned the 2 types of basements.

Mindy Jensen · Answer

I just tweeted that comment!

Brian Pulaski · Answer

@Wilder Osorio a $9000 installation sounds like it has a system in place, not just a small Home Depot Sump Pump. A lot of these companies offer lifetime warranties on the basement waterproofing systems (drains around the perimeter and then the sump pump). It might be worth getting more information on who installed it and if there is a warranty.

Cathie Kovacs · Answer

You can get an alarm so if the pump fails, you are notified and address it before any significant flooding occurs.

Andrew Syrios · Answer

Sump pumps are not a big deal and a lot of basements take on at least a little water, especially during downpours. I wouldn't let that scare you away. Of course, if the foundation is bad or it has major water problems, that's another matter.

sump pumps, should i buy a house that needs it?

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