Terms of the Trade: What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump in a concrete floor.

If you have a basement in your home, chances are you have a sump basin to collect any rain or groundwater from the perimeter of the house, and a sump pump to remove it all. Sump pumps solve the common problem of moisture or basement flooding by sending water away from the home to a storm drain or dry well as it flows from the house or surrounding area into the pump. While some sump pumps are operated by an electrical system, most are powered from the house's water pressure.