Should You Consider Using a Battery Backup Sump Pump?

Homeowners in Louisville, Kentucky wonder if a battery backup sump pump is a necessity. The short answer? Absolutely. But what does that mean for the primary pump? Luckily, Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling has answers to all the questions you have. If the sump pump fails, a battery backup ensures you have coverage. Keep floods at bay even when the primary sump pump throws in the towel.

The knowledge you need about your sump pump ranges from general to specific. This post goes through all the levels of information homeowners need to understand their sump pump. Then, Jarboe’s outlines all the benefits of the battery backup sump pump. Rest assured that the facts you learn in this article will guide you to the right decision. Here’s a hint—the answer is yes!

How Sump Pumps Work

Sump pumps are less complicated than you think. At their core, they exist to remove water from spaces vulnerable to floods. To do this, they are placed in the lowest points in the home. These places are the basement and crawl space.

The sump pump goes in a space called the sump pit, which collects water from around the foundation. Pipes attached to the pump transports water away from the foundation. These pipes have a one-way valve to move the water in a single direction. This ensures water does not come right back around to the pump.

Leaks occur when pressure builds up around the concrete foundation because the settled water causes cracks. Those cracks allow water to leak through. Soil saturated with water has the same effect. That’s why a sump pump is necessary. It removes that water from around the foundation so it doesn’t make its way through cracks.

Damage caused by floods costs thousands of dollars to fix. Plus, the sentimental losses you incur from waterlogged keepsakes or family heirlooms last far longer than your basement renovation.

Even though there’s a lot of information here, there’s still more to learn about the average sump pump. It’s important to know everything you can about your sump pump to best understand why it encounters failures.

Types of Pumps

Two kinds of sump pumps are used for primary pumps today. Each type has its own flaws and merits, but both do well when it comes to excess water removal in your basement or crawl space. Fortunately, most homes already come with sump pumps attached, so you don’t need to worry about installation. However, it is good to know which type you have so you can correctly address problems.

Submersible. Mechanics are located on the inside of the sump pit in a submersible sump pump, which means they are constantly submerged in water. Some parts are left outside the pump—like the float switch—for easy fixes. The device works quietly and is cleaner and safer. These are mostly found in finished basements.
Pedestal. On the other hand, the pedestal sump pump stays outside the sump pit. The mechanics are easily accessible at all times. Because of this, repairs and replacements are easy to carry out. Additionally, the pedestal sump pump is the more economical option of the two. You don’t need to worry about leak protection that breaks your bank before you even experience a leak with the pedestal.

Potential Problems

Like with all pieces of heavy-duty home equipment, problems sometimes pop up for your sump pump. These issues cause a lot of stress to homeowners. From malfunctions to complete failures, a sump pump can leave a basement or crawl space vulnerable to floods. Potential problems range in intensity, but all of them keep the sump pump from its regular functions.

Without a battery backup sump pump, your home has a critical blind spot. The failure of a primary sump pump results in significant damage to your basement and your bank account. Here are some of the problems that plague sump pumps.

Problems with float switch. A float switch activates the sump pump as the water in the basin rises. If the float experiences obstructions float switch malfunctions, then the pump won’t activate. When this happens, your sump pump never turns on. This is a great source of frustration for homeowners because even if the home has power during a storm, the pump doesn’t adequately remove the water, which still leads to floods.Pump temperature issues. Overused sump pumps overheat. Though they have thermal protection via self-cooling methods, sometimes a sump pump works too hard. In most cases, a reset fixes the problem. However, if it overheats when a storm hits, then the reset leaves your basement vulnerable while your system cools down.
Power issues. Unfortunately, a sump pump requires electricity to work, so a power outage stops a pump in its tracks. for most, power outages occur when it rains, which is the worst time for your sump pump to stop. Blackouts caused by excessive rain leave your basement or crawl space without protection when they need it most. All of the benefits of a sump pump disappear when it has no power, so expect some level of water leakage.
Pump got old. Sump pumps age poorly over their time of use. Old systems function less effectively than new systems, so if you’ve checked for all the problems previously mentioned and your sump pump still doesn’t work, it’s time to invest in a new one. Sump pumps last around 10 years when properly maintained.
Clogged pipes. Exit pipes ensure water leaves the area around the home. However, clogs prevent proper water drainage. If you are unaware of clogs or blocks, then the sump pump has the potential to cause floods. Even if it functions correctly in every other way, a clog allows water to leak into the basement or crawl space.
Blown fuse or tripped breaker. Like a blackout, blown fuses, and tripped circuit breakers keep your sump pump from the electricity it needs to function. Without a battery backup sump pump, there is no way for the primary system to work without an electrical charge, which leaves you vulnerable to leaks.

All of these problems cause homeowners stress. A battery backup sump pump provides coverage for any and all problems listed here, and any other you experience. The backup keeps your basement or crawl space dry even when the primary pump falls flat.

Benefits of a Battery Backup Sump Pump

Whenever a pump loses power or malfunctions, a battery backup sump pump ensures the protection of your basement or crawl space. The other benefits of a battery backup sump pump relate to a variety of issues. With a backup in place, you don’t have to worry about unexpected leaks or floods.

It costs less. It seems smart to purchase a secondary sump pump to help the first. However, it usually costs more in the end, and it still suffers from power outages. Invest in a battery backup instead. If you encounter a problem with electricity, then the battery backup sump pump continues as normal. The primary pump stops completely in a blackout, so a secondary pump does the same.
Easy installation. Next, the installation takes very little time. To install the battery backup, a plumber only needs to attach the system to the primary pump. That means no jackhammers or drills that make loud noises and create piles of dust in your home.
Always ready. A battery backup sump pump charges on its own. Because of that, you never have to worry about it losing power. The maintenance required barely impacts your day-to-day life.
Works around clogs. When faced with obstructions, a battery backup sump pump takes the place of the primary. It uses a float switch just like the primary pump to regulate functions. When the basin fills with water, it activates the float switch, which turns on the system. A clog in the primary pump has no impact on the battery backup, so the float switch activates no matter what.
Double the removal power. The primary pump needs additional help when a flash flood or similar occurrence takes place. The battery backup sump pump gives the primary pump less to do, which makes the entire process more efficient and effective. With the power of two machines, floods don’t stand a chance. Your basement or crawl space remains dry when weather reaches extreme levels.

Make the Right Decision

Homeowners of Louisville, Kentucky understand the importance of a sump pump that works. Because of that, they know why it’s so important to invest in a battery backup sump pump. It lets homeowners breathe easier with the knowledge that their basement or crawl space remains unflooded through heavy rain.

The benefits of a battery backup sump pump are clear. They ensure the safety of your basement or crawl space when the primary system fails or malfunctions. Even with a second sump pump, issues persist when a blackout rolls around out of nowhere. A battery backup is the only solution that continues to work without an electrical charge. This makes it unbeatable in terms of protection.

Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling knows how important dry basements and crawl spaces are to homeowners across Louisville. We recommend a battery backup sump pump for that reason.

For more information about sump pumps and battery backups, schedule an estimate from Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling now. Our experienced plumbers want to help you in any way they can. Whether you need maintenance on your primary sump pump, or you’re ready to take the plunge with a battery backup sump pump, we have your back. Call us today!