Do I Need a Sump Pump System? In general, if there's a significant moisture problem in your Crawl-Space or Basement, you do need a Sump Pump. Modern sump pumps are extremely reliable and the ones we install are rated to work without problems for many, many years. The standard cast-iron 1/3hp Zoeller pump we install. I have wireless humidity sensors in the crawl space and noticed that the humidity was down from 85% to 62%, it really works! The crawl space is clean and healthy now. For years every winter I had congestion that would last for months.