Should I Get a Backup Sump Pump for My Home?

During significant weather events like thunderstorms or heavy snowfalls, you rely on your sump pump to prevent flooding in your basement or crawl space. Unfortunately during such storms, there’s also a good chance you’ll lose power. A backup sump pump can take over when you lose power or when there’s a problem with the primary pump, reducing the chances of water damage and expensive repairs.

Causes of Sump Pump Failure

In addition to power disruptions, there are many other reasons your primary sump pump can fail, including the following:

• Tripped or damaged circuit breaker
• Blown fuse
• Stuck or damaged float switch
• Clogged or frozen discharge line
• Clogged water intake
• Damaged impeller
• Failure of the pump’s motor
• Amount of incoming water exceeds the capacity of the pump

Without a backup sump pump, your basement or crawl space could flood when the primary pump fails, potentially harming expensive appliances like furnaces or water heaters. The water could also soak into porous materials such as wood, drywall and insulation, causing structural damage and promoting the growth of mold, including potentially toxic varieties.

How a Backup Sump Pump Works

A backup sump pump is a secondary pump that’s placed in the sump pit along with the primary pump. It’s powered by a marine deep cycle battery, similar to a car battery, allowing it to run during power outages. When power is restored, a special system recharges the battery for the next outage. Most systems offer alarms to alert you when there’s a problem with the primary pump, and they constantly monitor the status of the battery and test the pump periodically to ensure the system works when it is needed.

Contact our plumbing experts at Sobieski Services to learn more about the benefits of a backup sump pump.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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