Sump pumps consist of a lot of parts and pieces that all work together to make the system function properly. Like any mechanical piece of equipment, those parts and pieces of a sump pump can eventually wear out and cause the whole system to fail.
To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to regularly check your sump pump for any maintenance updates. Since it’s not always easy to remember to check the system, it’s best to have a battery backup pump and secondary pump to substitute your regular sump pump in the event of an emergency.
At Foundation Recovery Systems, we install high-quality, powerful sump pump systems that are equipped to protect your basement from water damage.
Battery Backup Sump Pumps
Sump pumps lose power for a variety of reasons. Aside from the obvious power failure, it’s possible for a circuit to trip, especially pumps plugged into GFI outlets. There are also situations where someone mistakenly unplugs the sump pump system and forgets to plug in back in. In the event that any of these situations occur, you’ll be glad you have a backup pump!
Our sump pump system can pump out an excess of 11,500 gallons of water on a fully charged battery– that’s enough water to fill a small swimming pool!
To alert you of power failure, the system sounds an alarm when it runs and silences when the pump cycles off. For your convenience, the alarm can also be hooked up to your home security system so you can be notified by phone.
COMMON BATTERY BACKUP DESIGNS
Sometimes, a homeowner will tie their sump pump system into their generator to keep it powered during outages. However, this only works if you are home (and awake) to turn the system on. Automatic systems typically cost $7,000-$10,000 to install. Because there is only one pump, you will have to secondary system to address heavy rains or primary pump failure.
Some sump systems include a battery that converts DC battery power into AC power to charge your primary pump. Transforming DC power to AC is a highly inefficient process, and these battery backup systems often lose their charge within an hour’s time. Because there is only one pump, you also will not be protected from pump failure or overwhelming water volume.
Water-powered sump pumps use your water supply to run your sump pump system. Thus, they can operate without power. Unfortunately, water-powered pumps pump very slowly and require you to have very high water pressure. They are also wasteful systems, discharging 3-5 gallons of good water for every gallon of groundwater pumped out of your home.
Battery Backup Sump Pumps use a battery and a separate battery-powered sump pump to operate. When a high-quality battery backup is installed, you can pump out thousands of gallons of water on a single charge. And because you have a second pump installed, you’re covered during sump pumps failures and during overwhelming rains as well as during power outages.
Specifications:
- Long-Lasting Protection — Our system can outlast generic backup pumps many times over, pumping an incredible 11,500 gallons of water out on a single fully charged battery.
- Advanced Alarm System — Our system sounds off whenever the battery backup pump cycles on, letting you know so you can respond. Optionally, it hooks up to your home alarm system.
- Additional Battery Life — For added protection, an additional battery can be attached to a single system, allowing for more than double the pumping time.
Backup Pumps
FAQ's
When you install a sump pump in your home, you’re providing yourself extra insurance should rainwater or snowmelt start to make its way into your home. However, because sump pumps rely on an electrical charge to function, they’re not always the perfect home waterproofing measure. If the power goes out in your home, for example, your sump pump won’t be able to protect your space.
This is why it is a good idea to keep a backup pump on hand in case of severe flooding or other emergencies. Not only will this pump kick in should your original sump pump fail, but a backup pump that runs on batteries will keep running things smoothly should this flood cut off your power. That’s not all backup sump pumps can do, though. These pumps will also alert you if your sump pump should start to fail. While the means through which a pump alerts you to a primary failure will vary, you’ll be able to rely on these pumps to keep your home dry while reaching out to a contractor in your area.
There are several different types of sump pumps available to you, all of which will allow you to continue pushing water out of your home even if the power goes out. If you’re interested in doubling up on your waterproofing insurance, you can reach out to the professional contractors in your area to discuss which of your available options may best suit your home.
Working with a Backup Pump
A backup sump pump uses the same system as a regular sump pump to remove water from your home. If that’s the case, then how is a battery backup pump any different?
Backup sump pumps are more like sump pump additives. You need a standard sump pump in place if your battery backup is going to work. These pumps rely on alternative means of power to drive water out of your home. You’ll need to make sure your backup pump’s battery is fully charged if you suspect a storm may be rolling in. However, with careful care and maintenance, these pumps can last for years at a time.
Sump pumps may lose power for any variety of reasons. This can be especially troublesome during a storm when your basement is more likely to flood. Having a backup pump of any sort can give you peace of mind.
Lasting After the Power Goes Out
Backup pumps, as mentioned, use alternative means of energy to continue operating even after the power in your home goes out. This means that the pump will continue to drive water out of your home through the worst of a storm.
Backup pumps can operate for hours on a full charge after your traditional sump pump fails. While you won’t be able to rely on a backup sump pump on a regular basis, it can be a boon to have one on your side if your home’s fallen victim to considerable amounts of water damage before.
Additional Benefits of Backup Pumps
There’s more that a backup pump can do for your home besides protecting it during a storm. When you invest in a backup pump, you’ll be able to:
- Lower your water and electric bill by reducing the amount of moisture you have in your home
- Help you stay on top of your sump pump maintenance
- Extend the life of any other waterproofing measures you have in place
A backup sump pump is a maintenance tool as well as an affordable waterproofing measure. You can keep an eye on your backup and use it as a metric to ensure your traditional sump pump is working as it should. In short, a backup pump can help you save money not only on regular sump pump maintenance but also by eliminating those conditions that might otherwise compromise the structural integrity of the supports you have in your home.
There are four types of backup pumps you can use: generator-powered pumps, AC-powered pumps, water-powered pumps, and battery-powered backup pumps:
- Generator-powered pumps. Traditional sump pumps, as mentioned, rely on an electrical charge to operate on a regular basis. Most backup pumps, comparatively, rely on an alternative means of power. Generator-powered backups, for example, require you to purchase a generator if you want them to operate should the power in your home drop out. This isn’t always a bad idea; many homes, after all, may already have generators in place to cope with power outages. However, if you don’t already have one of these generators available to you, the extra purchase needed to ensure your backup sump pump is operable may make this type of pump less than appealing.
- AC-powered pumps. AC backup sump pumps operate differently than traditional AC/DC pumps. Whereas DC sump pumps require a DC current and can, in turn, run for an extended period of time, they can often suffer during power outages throughout your home. Comparatively, AC backup pumps are often made up of the pump itself, a deep-cycle battery, and a battery charger. This means that these pumps will run until their batteries run out of power, making them ideal additions to a basement that floods on a regular basis.
- Water-powered pumps. If you want to be truly ironic with your backup pump, you can opt to invest in a water-powered backup pump. Should the floodwaters in your basement rise up above a set level, a water-powered pump will start to float lift. That float will open up a set valve, better allowing the water to flow into the pump. There, the energy generated from the flow of water will push the backup pump into action. In turn, the pump will direct that unwanted water into a system of pipes installed outside of your home, ensuring that it won’t remain in your basement. In turn, the backup pump will stop forcing that water out as soon as water levels in your basement drop back down below a standard level.
- Battery-powered pumps. Battery backup pumps are among the most traditional backup pumps to find use along with standard pumps. These pumps do require consistent battery replacements, as they can often run out of power after a night of hard work. However, there’ll be no need to invest in additional accessories to see these pumps do their work. Instead, battery backup sump pumps will kick into gear as soon as your traditional pump stops working. That pump will continue to run, in turn, until the electric sump pump powers back on or until you opt to turn the pump off.
Of these backups, battery backup sump pumps tend to be the most effective when it comes to protecting your home. The battery backup sump pumps installed by Foundation Recovery Systems can pump out in excess of 11,500 gallons of water per charge. It also offers long-lasting protection, an advanced alarm system with a low-battery warning, and an additional battery compartment on the system that will keep pumping water out of your basement long after the first battery pack runs out of juice.
Installing A Battery Backup Pump
Backup sump pumps are relatively easy to install when you have a professional helping you through the process. While you do have the option to install a backup sump pump on your own, it is often the most financially sound decision you can make, especially if there are other fixes you need to implement throughout the rest of your home. That said, there’s nothing wrong with knowing what contractors will do to safely install a backup sump pump in your basement.
To install a backup sump pump, either you or a contractor will need to:
- Attach the unit the wall
- Connect the appropriate cables to their terminals
- Plug the pump in or otherwise affix it to the appropriate source of power (water pumps will disregard this step)
- Test your two sump pumps’ compatibility
You will, of course, want to ensure that your sump pumps are compatible before committing to a purchase. That said, if it turns out that something’s amiss, you can work with the contractors in your area to find a better solution. You can always pair a backup sump pump with additional home waterproofing measures if you find yourself concerned about the degree of flooding your home may face. When in doubt, reach out to the contractors in your area. Together, you can walk through your basement and determine first if there’s any visible damage that needs to be repaired. Then you can decide for yourself which of the aforementioned backup pumps may best suit the sump pump you want to install and whether or not you want additional protection from waterproofing measures like an interior drain or waterproof insulation.
Local Professionals Can Install Your Backup Pump
If you’re worried about how much installing a backup sump pump may run you, you may be inclined to try and install one without professional guidance. Unfortunately, trying to install your own backup sump pump can do more harm to your home than good. If you make a mistake during your installation, you can accidentally obscure any symptoms of water damage that might otherwise suggest a need for additional home repairs. You may also end up spending more money on materials and single-use tools trying to install a pump on your own.
Professionals, on the other hand, can walk you through the backup installation process in little to no time at all. Their years of experience can keep this process quick and painless, meaning that you’ll be able to get back to regular day-to-day life in your home without having to worry about the conditions in your basement.
Want to reach out to the professionals in your area? Get in touch with area experts to schedule a home inspection and to look over a free quote determining what repairs or additional waterproofing installations may best suit your space.
Secondary Sump Pump
A primary pump and battery backup pump is typically enough to keep your basement well protected in the event of a flood. However, the battery backup pump can only last as long as the battery allows. If you are away for a long period of time when the battery backup pump is running, it could potentially run out of battery and leave your basement susceptible to flooding. For the ultimate protection, we recommend installing a secondary sump pump as well!
