Backup Sump Pump Installation

Backup sump pumps are great for ultimate basement waterproofing. We recommend installing a backup sump pump for the following circumstances:

• Power Outage Primary sump pumps are electric-powered. This means that when the power goes out, primary sump pumps become useless and the water level is bound to rise in the sump pit. To avoid water damage in this case, a backup sump pump is a smart option.
• Damage to Primary Sump Pump In case damage occurs to your primary sump pump, it will not be able to drain water properly. This puts your basement at risk of flooding. However, you can eliminate the risks by installing a backup sump pump that assists the primary pump with water drainage.
• Heavy Rainfall Heavy rainfall can overwhelm your primary sump pump. Water will accumulate inside the sump pit to the point where one sump pump is not enough. In this case, we recommend installing a backup sump pump to assist your primary pump during and after heavy rain.

Backup Sump Pump Options

Water-Powered Backup Sump Pump

Water-powered pumps (also known as submersible pumps) are fully mechanical. They do not need electricity or a battery to run. Instead, they use municipal water pressure to push water out of the sump pit before an overflow happens. The only downside to water-powered sump pumps is that they are best installed in an unfinished basement. If your basement is fully finished, installing a water-powered sump pump will probably require a lot of reconstruction in your basement.

Battery Backup Sump Pump

Battery-operated sump pumps are an excellent backup option. They are usually easy to install and can be found at any hardware store. Battery sump pumps also connect to the same discharge line as the primary sump pump. This type of sump pump, however, has a shorter life expectancy. How long battery pumps last depends on the battery they use.