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Do People Use Sump Pumps in Florida?

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Melbourne Plumber

The word “sump” refers to a pit or low-lying area, typically in a basement or crawlspace, where water collects due to gravity. The term originates from Middle English “sump,” meaning a marsh or low ground, and is related to Old English and Old Norse words for swamp or bog.

Up north, sump pump can be found mostly in basements but most houses in Florida don’t have basements. Still, we have crawl spaces, and our living spaces are just inches off the ground.

Florida is a very rainy state. In fact, it is #5 of 50 for receiving the most rainfall every year.

Average Annual Precipitation (inches)
1 – Hawaii – 63.7
2 – Louisiana – 60.1
3 – Mississippi – 57.0
4- Alabama – 56.3
5 – Florida – 54.5

This amount of water falling on a state with such a high-water table already spells disaster for the lowest laying homes. They use sump pumps in and around their homes to keep the water from getting too high. You’ve seen for yourself how long it takes water to subside after a heavy storm.

Risks like flooding, mold growth, structural damage, and pest infestations are a common theme here in FL. Sump pumps play a crucial role in mitigating these problems, even though traditional basements are rare in Florida homes (built on slabs or with crawl spaces instead).

Protection for New and Existing Homes

All new construction in Florida is required to include sump pumps as part of water management systems, driven by the state’s tropical climate, sandy soils that don’t absorb water well, and frequent flooding risks. For older homes, retrofitting a sump pump is often recommended in flood-prone or low-lying areas to safeguard plumbing, foundations, and interiors from water intrusion.

You can order a sump pump brand new or buy a used one. Some sump pumps are refurbished, meaning they have been thoroughly cleaned, and the motor has been recalibrated to run more efficiently.

You can buy a sump pump from most hardware retailers or from a multitude of websites online. A professional plumber in Melbourne can come by to help you install it and get it working smoothly.