Pumps and drainage are Anchor Property Care’s areas of expertise in Devon and Exmoor. We provide a broad range of abilities when working with clients who own both residential and commercial structures and need drainage. If you need a detailed survey and price, we can provide that. At your location, we may do additional building and construction work.

General Information

Within the Anchor Proprety Care report and specification we propose the use of a cavity membrane system. Subject to the requirements of the specification, pumping equipment will form an integral part of the ‘water management system’. Anchor Property Care has access to an extensive range of pumping equipment, not only specifically designed for use with out membrane specifications, but we can also supply and install pumping equipment for most construction and building requirements. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific needs or specifications upon your request.

Why are Pumps Necessary

When specifying a cavity membrane system, consideration must be given to drainage particularly when installed below ground. The concept of the drainage cavity system is to collect and manage any water that may breach the integrity of the structure by channelling, collecting, and discharging via a suitable evacuation point.

Unless other specified, three options for pumping equipment are offered to our clients. Certain site conditions may require a specific pump specification to cope for individual site needs. The basic pump options detailed within our report are as follows:

Option 1: single pump and station with high water level alarm

Option 2: double pump and station with high water level alarm

Option 3: double pump and station with high water level alarm and backup power supply.

The single pump option consists of a submersible pump contained within a pre-formed pump station. The pump is 240 volts capable of pushing water at a rate of 42 litres per minute to a maximum head of 5 metres. We only recommend the use of a single pumping system in a situation where if flooding were to occur through pump failure, then this would cause the client no subsequent difficulties or loss. A single pump, whilst effective, is the most basic of the pumping specifications offered.

The double pump specification consists of two 240 volt pumps as previously detailed, again contained within a pre-formed pumping station. The first pump is positioned at the bottom of the station, the second at a pre-determined higher level. Should the first pump be unable to cope with the amount of water entering the pumping station, the second pump will be activated. This will also be the case should the first pump fail.

The third option again consists of double pumps contained within a pumping station; the system however, will incorporate a power pack back-up supply. This unit is designed to run one of the pumps if a power failure occurs. The unit is trickle charged under normal conditions and will automatically switch to the back-up supply if the mains power fails. The unit pumps approximately 6500 litres of water in back-up mode. This can be upgraded by adding up to ten extra power units to the system. By adding one unit raises the capacity up to 20000 litres of water.

High Level Water Alarms

All three pumping options detailed include high water level alarms. The system gives an audible warning if a high water level situation occurs. It is fitted with its own rechargeable battery, which is trickle charges, and will still operate in the event of a mains power failure. In the unlikely event of a pump failure, this will detect a rise in water in the pump station.

Electrical Installation

It is the client’s responsibility to provide a suitable electrical supply and connections for the pumping and electrical equipment. Under current legislation a suitably qualified electrical contractor must install the supply and connections. Our equipment must be separately fused from any other equipment within the property. The pumps and back-up supplies (if installed) must also have their own power supply, again separately fused with an RCD breaker. With Anchor Property Care installing the pumping equipment itself, this then only leaves for the connection to be made by an electrical contractor.

Servicing and Maintenance

The importance of maintaining the pumping equipment, once installed, cannot be underestimated, regardless of the type of system that has been installed. New pumps supplied by Anchor Property Care will have a 12 month manufactures warranty. Any difficulties experiences with the pumping equipment within the first 12 months following installation must be reported to Anchor Property Care. Any pumping and electrical equipment will not be covered by the Anchor Property Care guarantee (where issued).

Maintenance contracts are available through Anchor Property Care upon request. We strongly recommend the option of a maintenance contract be taken. However, basic maintenance can be undertaken by competent persons and should include removing the pump station cover and checking the bottom of the sump for any build up of sediment or ‘free lime’ and if found the sumo must be thoroughly cleaned removing any build up of debris. The pump(s) should be manually activated and checked for trouble free operation, checking all mechanical fixings, hoses and hose clips to ensure that they are not becoming warm or loose. Manually trigger alarms.