Power Outages Can Cause Sump Pump Problems

Winter storms are notorious for cutting out power to your home. While families worry about staying warm, providing light and protecting their perishable food, there is another area in the home which may be affected by the lack of power. Sump pumps also work off electricity, so a power outage can also stop drainage in moisture prone areas when it’s most needed –during wet weather. If you have a sump pump for your home, it may be time to invest in a battery backup sump pump for those nasty power outages.

How Battery-Powered Sump Pumps Work

As a backup to a regular submersible sump pump, a second pump can be added that runs on a rechargeable battery. The benefit is that when the power goes out, this second pump is ready to take over pumping water away from the home’s foundation and basement. The battery is automatically charged whenever the power is on, so when the power goes out, the second sump pump’s battery is fully charged and can work for several hours.

Most backup sump pumps are set with a higher water level than the main pump. Once the water reaches this higher set point, the secondary sump pump will turn on to begin removing the excessive water. This can be a handy system to have for any homes with a basement in areas prone to heavy precipitation.

If you have every experienced a wet basement after a power outage, you may be a perfect candidate for a battery backup sump pump. Talk to your local sewer-septic professional about installing a secondary sump pump with battery power to keep your basement dry during the next power outage.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

Choosing a Backup Sump Pump

Many knowledgeable homeowners choose to maximize the protection against foundation damage and basement flooding provided by a sump pump system by installing a backup sump pump.  Adding a backup sump pump provides an additional level of insurance against flooding and foundation damage.  In the event of a sump pump failure, the backup sump pump will take over and pump out the water until the primary sump pump can be repaired.

Backup sump pumps are designed to operate without the need for household electricity so they work in the event of a power failure. There are two basic types of backup sump pumps.   One design uses household water pressure to operate while the other design relies on a battery for power.

If access to a water supply line is not a concern, a water powered backup sump pump is an excellent choice.  They need very little maintenance and can run almost indefinitely.  They are not a good choice for homes on a well that use an electric well pump.  In the event of a power failure, there would not be any water pressure to operate the pump. Also, these pumps have to be connected to a pressurized water line.  If there is limited access to nearby plumbing, installation of the water line can be a problem.

If installation of a water powered pump is impractical or too expensive, a battery powered backup pump might be a better choice.  These pumps use a dedicated battery that is kept topped off with a  small battery charger.  There are few installation concerns with these types of pumps, but they unlike water powered pumps, the battery requires regular maintenance.  In addition, they will only run until the battery wears down.

Your sewer septic contractor can help you choose a backup sump pump that is right for your unique situation.