If you have a basement or crawlspace, odds are you have a sump pump to protect your home or building from flooding. While sump pumps are extremely effective and useful, they are not immune to certain external factors. One of these factors is a power outage.
Losing power during a storm can be a lethal combination for your sump pump. That’s because a standard sump pump loses its ability to function while water is falling from the sky and building up around the foundation of your home.
What Happens When Your Sump Pump Loses Power?
If your sump pump loses power and quits working, you may not know it until your basement is damaged or flooded. If you are lucky enough to realize it has stopped working in a prompt manner, do you have a working backup plan in place? If not, you may have an expensive, aggravating problem on your hand.
Creating a Back Up Plan for Your Sump Pump
The good news for home owners is that there are a few different types of back up plans available. Some of the most popular include:
Secondary Electric Pump. In case your primary sump pump fails, it’s a good idea to have a secondary electric pump on hand and ready to go. The secondary pump can be installed a little higher in the sump basket than your primary pump and will kick on in case of failure. Many people go this route thinking they are covered, but remember: an electric pump will not work during a power outage. While the secondary pump will help in other cases of failure, it’s not of much value in a power outage situation.
Battery Backup. The most common backup is a battery operated sump pump. These systems contain heavy batteries that resemble large car batteries. This sump pump also sits a little higher in the basket than the primary pump and will work during a power outage. This is an extremely helpful option and could save you thousands of dollars of flood damage during a power outage.
Hydraulic Pump. Another option is adding a hydraulic powered pump. These are powered by the water pressure coming into your home and don’t need a charged battery to work. These are especially valuable in extended power outage situations.
Installing a Sump Pump Alarm
In addition to having a backup plan, it’s always a smart idea to have an alarm installed in your sump basket. This alarm would sound off when the water level in your sump basket exceeds normal capacity. This lets you know when a potential problem is approaching and ensures you are prepared for action. These can usually be purchased for a few dollars at a local hardware or plumbing store.
Eco Plumbers: Professional, Green Plumbers in Columbus
At Eco Plumbers, we are committed to prompt, professional plumbing services. We believe in providing our customers with extensive options that are both environmentally friendly and price conscious. We offer a number of energy-saving products, free in-home inspections, and a standard one year warranty on all service and remodel projects. Additionally, we recycle all materials, waste, and scrap from every job site and purchase only American-made tools and supplies.
Contact us today for a free estimate and let us help create the best backup sump pump plan for your home!
