Know Your Products
What system is designed to collect water from beneath the basement floor and direct it to the sump system?
Drain Tile / perimeter drainage system.
Where would you typically find a sump pump?
In a sump pit/basin.
What is the main problem a sump pump is designed to address?
Collected water that needs to be removed from the basement.
The homeowner's sump pump isn't removing collected water. What component should you investigate first?
The sump pump/system and its operation.
The homeowner says, “I already have a sump pump. Why do I need anything else?”
Explain that the sump pump is only one part of the system. Water first needs to be effectively collected and directed to the pump.
What is the primary purpose of a sump pump?
To pump collected water out of the basement and away from the home.
A below-floor drainage system is installed where?
Beneath or along the perimeter of the basement floor, depending on the system.
A homeowner says, “Every time it rains heavily, water comes up through my basement floor.” What should immediately be investigated?
Potential water intrusion beneath the floor/hydrostatic pressure and the existing drainage system.
Water is entering from beneath the basement floor. Are you only looking at the walls?
No. The floor, drainage system, and potential hydrostatic pressure need to be evaluated.
The homeowner says, “I've never had water in this basement before.” What questions would you ask?
Ask about recent weather, changes around the home, grading, gutters/downspouts, previous water events, sump history, and where they are seeing moisture.
What system is designed to provide protection against sewer backup?
A sewer backup prevention system/solution.
Why is the location of a drainage system important?
It needs to intercept and direct water to the appropriate discharge point/sump system.
A homeowner has a sump pump but still experiences basement water. What are three things you should investigate?
The drainage system, sump pump/system performance, and the source/path of the water.
A homeowner has an old, unreliable sump pump. What should you be evaluating?
The condition, capacity, reliability, and overall sump system.
You discover water coming through the basement floor. The homeowner says, “Just seal the spot where it's coming in.” How do you respond?
Explain that you want to identify why the water is getting there and where it's traveling, rather than simply treating the visible symptom.
What type of system can collect water from beneath the basement floor and channel it toward a sump system? (Or sewer backup occasionally)
Below-floor drainage / drain tile.
If water is coming up through the basement floor, what area should the consultant investigate?
The floor, perimeter drainage, hydrostatic pressure, and potential water pathways.
Why can water beneath the basement floor become a problem?
Hydrostatic pressure can force water upward or through vulnerable areas of the basement.
A homeowner is concerned about sewer water coming back into their basement. What type of solution should you discuss?
A sewer backup prevention solution.
Sell the homeowner on the importance of a reliable sump system without using the words “flood,” “disaster,” or “emergency.”
Consultant must explain the value of reliable water removal and protection in homeowner-friendly language.
True or False: A sump pump alone is always enough to solve a basement water problem.
False. The drainage system and the source/path of the water must also be evaluated.
A homeowner has water entering around the perimeter of the basement floor. What should the consultant be thinking about?
A drainage solution designed to collect that water and direct it to the sump system.
A homeowner says, “My sump pump works, so I don't understand why my basement still gets wet.” What's your response?
The sump pump may be working, but the system still needs to effectively collect and direct water to the pump. The entire drainage system should be evaluated.
The homeowner has multiple water issues: water beneath the floor, an inadequate sump system, and concern about sewer backup. Should you sell one product immediately?
No. Diagnose the entire situation first and build the appropriate system around the homeowner's actual problems.
Scenario:
You inspect a basement where the homeowner has:
- Water coming up through the floor after heavy rain
- An old sump pump
- No reliable below-floor drainage
- Concerns about sewer backup
Build your recommendation. Explain what you found, what each solution does, and why the homeowner should address the entire system rather than just the visible water.
The consultant should identify the water source/path, explain the role of below-floor drainage, explain the importance of a reliable sump system, address the sewer backup concern, and connect each recommendation to the homeowner's specific problem.