What Is a Sump Pump Battery Backup
The reason for having a sump pump in your basement is to re-direct water that is entering your home out of the basement and, ideally, far away from the foundation of your home. In the event of a power outage, your sump pump essentially becomes a paperweight. Without electricity, water is not pumped from inside your home which could lead to catastrophic damage.
A sump pump battery backup is there to provide the power to your sump pump when the lights go out due to storms, fallen trees or issues with the power grid. The battery backup is to start up seamlessly and take over delivering electricity when primary power goes out. Since it is a battery, it is safe to be used indoors, and there is no need to have to deal with a generator for basement flood protection.
Why Power Outages Put Basements at Risk
A sump pump power outage that causes your pump to be inoperative can have extremely long-term, detrimental consequences. Without a sump pump, groundwater directed to enter the sump pit rises up and eventually floods into your basement.
Some homes use electricity to operate sewage pumps. Without electricity, these pumps also stop working leading to effluent being backed up into your basement. Combined with water flooding in from a backed up sump pit, water damage is now amplified and mixed with greywater.
All of this water in your basement produces a secondary complication. All that standing water increases the level of humidity in the air as the water evaporates and increases the air’s moisture content. Now, keepsakes and valuable possessions that were well above the waterline can be affected and ultimately may need to be discarded.
More than that, water that is usually ejected with a sump pump builds up increasing hydrostatic pressure. This pressure can force water into your basement through cracks in the foundation. Beyond this, the pressure could lead to shifts or breaks in your foundation causing massive damage.
How a Battery Backup System Works
With a sump pump in place, a battery back up system is there to provide an instant replacement power system if the main power ever drops out. The direct DC from the battery is converted to AC for the sump pump, and that change happens instantly.
Along with the heavy-duty, deep-cycle batteries that are used in concert with a sump pump, an advanced, multi-functional control panel plays a large part. The panel allows for the instant hand over of power during an outage, monitors the sump pit and battery 24/7, keeps the battery at optimum charge, and sound alarms if anything is amiss. Some control panels also run a weekly “test pumps” to make sure that all is well with the system.
Types of Sump Pump Battery Backups
Sump pump battery backups are generally deep-cycle batteries, and there are a few options to choose from. Mainly, they come in Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) or more high-tech Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) designs. There are also Lithium-ion (Li-ion) which is more expensive initially, and traditional Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA) batteries that need to be topped up with distilled water.
Before purchasing a battery backup system, check for the following:
- What system offers the best in terms of reliability, functionality, and cost?
- What system has the best way to monitor water levels and battery health, and has alarm notifications?
- Does your sump pump manufacturer have any guidelines or specifications for what battery type is best for your sump pump?
| SLA | AGM | Li-ion | FLA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longer Lifespan | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Less Expensive | ✔ | |||
| Less Maintenance | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Lightweight | ✔ |
How Long a Battery Backup Typically Lasts
There are a couple of ways at looking at how long a battery backup for your sump pump can last. During operation, a brand new battery can operate the sump pump from 4 to 8 hours on full charge. That time can be extended slightly if the pump is operating at irregular times during the time of need.
For the lifespan of a backup battery, the usual time for a battery to last is approximately 3 to 5 years. Even if they are not in use, a battery’s effectiveness depreciates slightly over time. If the battery is in heavy use, perhaps during rainy seasons, and the battery needs more maintenance, such as topping up with distilled water in an FLA type battery, the time may be at the shorter end of the scale.
Signs Your Home May Need a Battery Backup
There are several clearcut warning signs that indicate that you would be better off with a sump pump battery backup. If you live in an area that has frequent power disruptions, has a high water table or flood area, or has times of heavy rainfall, you are probably in need of a battery backup.
If your current sump pump backup system is getting on in years, it may show the signs. If it is sending out alarms for low battery for high water on a consistent basis, it may be time for a replacement. Checking your system by cutting off power and the backup doesn’t kick in, then an immediate replacement is strongly advised.
Maintenance and Battery Replacement Basics
There are several measures that you can take to ensure that your sump pump battery backup will perform at its best for the longest time.
- Test it – Every 6 months or so, unplug the main house power to force the battery backup to kick in. Make sure that water has been poured into the sump pit. Verify the pump clears the water and the alarm indicates the backup has done its job.
- Clean it – Disconnect the battery, and clean the battery terminals of residue with a stiff wire brush and a baking soda / water mixture.
- Check it – If you have a Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA) type battery, check the distilled water levels making sure they are topped up.
- Charge it – With a volt or multimeter, check the charge of the battery occasionally. A reading of 12.6V or higher is standard for a properly functioning 12V battery.
- Inspect it – Do a visual inspection looking for cracks, bulges, and/or leaks in the battery.
If you have found that you need to replace your battery, make sure that your replacement is a deep-cycle variety. A car battery is not suitable. Disconnect the old battery in sequence: negative (-) first and then positive (+). Connect the new battery with positive (+) first and negative (-) second. You may have to hit a reset button on the control panel with the installation of a new battery.
Common Misconceptions About Backup Systems
Either from assumption or from exaggerated sales information, there are several misconceptions out there about battery backup systems for sump pumps.
- Maintenance-free operation – While technology has improved, batteries still have an approximately 3 – 5 year operating lifespan before needing to be replaced.
- Any large battery is suitable – Deep-cycle sump pump batteries have been designed for trickle-charging. Other batteries have higher amperage and don’t last nearly as long when operating.
- Gel batteries are best – Gel batteries may require less maintenance in the long run, and they are more expensive initially. Wet cell batteries can offer the same longevity, but they come with slightly more maintenance requirements.
FAQs
No, you should not. You may be a handyman around the house, but components in your sump pit or with the control panel and connections require someone with the background to safely complete repairs. Changing a battery is one thing. For all other repairs, call professionals, like WaterGuard Plumbing, to make sure the repairs are done properly.
You probably will not get value for your money. Like many other packages available for sale, for the company to make a profit, the bundled system components may not be of the quality that you need to protect your home from flooding. Quality sump pumps and an additional battery backup may cost more at the outset, but you will be assured that the pump and backup power will be there when you need it.
Gel batteries are touted as a safe choice, but the safety may be somewhat exaggerated. It is true that they don’t spill or leak if they are turned over, and they don’t emit tiny amounts of hydrogen when recharging like wet cell batteries. However, all large batteries are meant to be handled with care, regardless of their construction, and the hydrogen that may be emitted while charging wet cell batteries is extremely small and quickly dispersed in the air to be of even remote danger.
The best suggestion would be for you to get a battery backup system that will alert you of problems with the battery and allow the technology to check the battery for you. The other ways would be for you to consistently conduct test runs of the system every several months to see the system kicks in. The worst possible way to find out would be if there is a power outage during a flood and the sump pump doesn’t come on.
Final Thoughts
If you’re unsure about your current setup, need a battery replacement, or want a professionally installed backup system you can rely on, contact Water Guard Plumbing today. Our experienced team can inspect your sump pump, recommend the right battery backup for your home, and make sure everything is installed and working properly.
Call Water Guard Plumbing now and get the protection your basement deserves.
