Like most cities in South Carolina, a wet basement is common in Columbia. The consistent rainfall on a yearly basis in the state means that, unless they are fully waterproof, basements will be frequently flooded. Because of this, many basements in the city are equipped with sump pumps, which collect water that gathers in the basement and pumps it out. What homeowners don’t know is that, while sump pumps are great, they should not be the only waterproofing solution in place for your basement. There are many ways in which water can pool around your basement, even with a sump pump.
If water vapor is coming into your basement, then the humidity in the air will turn into water droplets when the temperature reaches its dew point. If you walk into your basement and see water droplets on your wood, pipes, and walls, then your basement needs a vapor barrier. If sufficient water droplets form, then they can drip onto the floor and form a puddle in the corner. These puddles are oftentimes not big enough to be collected by the sump pump, so unless you have a perimeter drain that can direct the water towards the sump pump, those puddles will not go away on their own. The same thing happens when rainwater seeps into the basement through the window or if there are any leaking pipes or machinery.
Your sump pump could also just be broken. A broken sump pump will not collect water, and there will be flooding in your basement if it’s not working properly. You can test this out by dumping a bucket of water into the sump pit to make sure that it’s draining water properly. If it isn’t, then there are a few things you can easily check (whether it’s plugged in, the condition of the pipes, etc.); but, if you can’t find any issues, you might have to call an expert that can inspect the sump pump thoroughly and give you a proper diagnosis.