Sump Pump Failures and How to Avoid Them

type="text/javascript"> ch_client = "articlealley";you're counting on a generator to back up your
ch_type = "mpu"; ch_width = 590; ch_height =sump pump when it loses power, ask yourself
250; ch_non_contextual = 4; ch_noborders = 1;these questions:
ch_vertical ="premium"; ch_sid = "590x250 Article
Mixed Top"; ch_alternate_ad_url = " var1. Will I always be home during a power outage to
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ength)); if ( ch_selected < ch_queries.length ) {2. How will I know if the sump pump simply came
ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected]; } Everyunplugged? (Generally, you'll know when the
time a major rainfall hits an area, countless talesbasement floods.)
of woe are heard from homeowners who have3. Will my generator have enough power to keep
gambled with a low-quality sump pump installationit running until the power comes back on?Unless
in their basement. During the worst storms,you have a good answer to all three of these,
plumbers can work around the clock to pumpconsider adding a battery backup sump pump
water from basements and crawl spaces.system to your basement waterproofing solution.
Homeowners pay whatever it takes to helpA good battery backup system should be able to
minimize the already extensive damage dealt topump at least 7,000 gallons of water out of your
their home and personal possessions. Despite thisbasement on a single charge and is set to turn on
these stories, sump pumps are better and moreautomatically if the main pump loses power for
reliable than they've ever been. But not all sumpany reason.
pumps are created equal, and the low-qualitySump Pump Failure
systems that were unreliable years ago are stillIf you have either a plastic sump pump installed in
available and still unreliable today. Most commonyour basement, a do-it-yourself kit, or an
failures can be narrowed down to three majorinexpensive one installed by a plumber, it's a
causes.matter of time before it fails. Plastic pumps often
Power Outagesfail due to mechanical failure, but any sump pump
If you have a sump pump installed and the powerinstalled directly in a sump pit without a strong,
goes out, you may no longer have a workingwell-built sump liner and a stand will eventually clog
system. This is true for the major power outagesthe pump due to dirt and debris from the pit that
common in large rain storms, when a fuse blows,gets in.
or even when it accidentally comes unplugged. If