Does your Sump Pump have its own battery backup system? When a sump pump is installed it is because it is needed to protect the home from flooding and other water damage that may occur in the home. Sump pumps are often essential in many areas throughout New York due to our climate. If a sump pump loses power the home can flood and be seriously damaged by water in the ground. Simon Plumbing will share how important a sump pump is to the home and why all homeowners should consider having a battery backup system ready for the sump pump.
How Does a Sump Pump Work?
A sump pump is a network of drainage pipes surrounding the home’s foundation; especially those with crawl spaces and basements. These pipes help to direct water away from the home’s foundation and into a shallow pit or sump. The sump pump then pushes the water out of the pit through another volley of discharged pipes. The water is then sent away from the home to a nearby reservoir. Sump pumps help to prevent water from flooding basements and crawl spaces in areas with saturated soil and ground water. If the pipes ever break or the pump stops working, essentially the home is at risk of flooding and other types of water damage.
Signs Sump Pump is Nearing End of Life Expectancy
Power outages, weather, clogged intake screen and faulty flat switch are just some of the reasons your sump pump may not be operating correctly. If you suspect your sump pump is malfunctioning, the situation must be addressed right away to prevent flooding and water damage in the home. Following are some of the signs you should call Simon Plumbing for sump pump preventive maintenance to avoid costly repairs:
– Sump Pump Not Running
– Sump Pump Not Pumping (High Water Level in Sump Pump)
– Musty Mold or Mildew Smell
– Stuck Float Switch
– Loud Noises like Rushing Water
What Happens if Your Power Goes Out & You Have a Sump Pump?
Sump pumps require ongoing maintenance to ensure their reliability. With proper maintenance the sump pump should never fail and the home will always be properly protected. However, one of the major weaknesses of the sump pump system is loss of power. When the power goes out, the sump pump stops working. When a sump pump fails, the home will flood or withstand major water damage which can lead to costly repairs and an increase in your homeowners insurance premiums. One of the steps a homeowner can take to ensure their sump pump never fails is to have a battery backup system installed.
Battery Backup for Existing Sump Pump
A sump pump battery backup system is super easy to install and to maintain. A battery backup system is superior to other backup systems that are generated by water flow, which isn’t very reliable. Batteries provide a constant flow of power when needed and is far more reliable. During a power outage the battery backup system will continually provide power to the sump pump. Batteries do need to be checked and switched out or charged every few months to ensure the batteries reliability. However, most batteries can last for 5 years. Battery systems are also limited. When power goes out for an extended period of time, the battery can run down before power is restored. The battery backup system or sizes can vary as to how long the battery will last during a power outage.
Plumbing Inspections, Repairs, Maintenance & More in North Tonawanda, Amherst, Buffalo, Williamsville | Erie & Niagara County | Western New York
It is always recommended to have any type of backup power supply for your home’s sump pump. Power often goes out during storms which can increase the chances of your home being flooded or being damaged by water. If you want to invest in a backup system for your home’s sump pump or require professional sump pump services, contact Simon Plumbing. We can install a battery backup sump pump alongside your primary sump pump inside the pit. We typically place it several inches above the primary pump so that it only activates whenever the water level reaches a predetermined level inside the pit. This ensures the battery powered backup sump pump won’t activate unless the primary sump pump fails to turn on. To schedule our services contact Simon Plumbing today.
