Apr15

By Dave Bangar

Do I Need a Sump Pump Battery Backup?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Why Sump Pumps Fail and How Battery Backups Prevent a Disaster

Nothing in life is guaranteed to work perfectly 100% of the time. This includes sump pumps. While sump pumps are an incredibly effective tool for preventing flooding and flood-related issues in the home, sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, they can fail.

When this happens, it’s important to have safeguards in place to help minimize damage. One of the best options for protecting your home in the event of a malfunctioned sump pump is installing a battery backup.

In this article, we will explain the purpose of a sump pump battery backup, how it works, and why you should have one. Keep reading to learn more.

Sump Pumps, Explained

A sump pump is a pump that is installed in your basement. It sits in a basin, also known as a pit, and during periods of excess rain and/or snowmelt, water will fill the basin. When this happens, the sump pump automatically pumps water out of the basin and drains it outside away from your home to prevent flooding.

Why Sump Pumps Sometimes Fail

While sump pumps are designed to work overtime to help prevent a disaster, they can sometimes fail, which is why battery backups exist.

The most common reason for a sump pump malfunction is a power outage. However, a sump pump can also fail due to old age, or if the model you have installed was not designed to handle significant amounts of rainfall and snowmelt, causing the pump to become overloaded and the motor to fail. For this reason, always do your research and make sure your sump pump is equipped to handle the Okanagan climate. 

What is a Sump Pump Battery Backup?

A battery backup sump pump is a separate sump pump from your primary unit that is battery operated. The purpose of the battery backup is to kick in and pump out water when your primary sump pump stops working. 

Battery-operated backup pumps are incredibly reliable, as they typically come with a control box that regularly tests the pump to ensure it still works. If the pump fails this test, it will send out an alarm to notify you. You will receive a similar alert if the pump malfunctions or the battery power becomes low.

Without a backup in place during periods of heavy rain and/or snowmelt, your regular sump pump would be unable to pump out excess water, causing your basement to flood.

Why You Would Need a Sump Pump Battery Backup

There are so many reasons why we recommend that all Kelowna homeowners have a battery backup sump pump in their homes. Here are just a few of those reasons:

They Offer Peace of Mind

Battery backups provide Kelowna homeowners with peace of mind knowing their home is safe in the event of a sump pump malfunction.
Without a battery backup sump pump, anytime a major weather event occurs or snow starts to melt rapidly due to unusually warm weather, you will likely feel stressed knowing your pump could malfunction anytime, causing water to pool up in your basement.

They Prevent Flooding in the Event of a Power Outage

Without a battery backup installed, when there is a power outage and your regular sump pump stops working, water that naturally accumulates in your sump pit due to excess rain and snow melt can overflow, causing your basement to flood. When you have a battery backup, it will automatically start pumping out water when the primary pump starts working and will help prevent a flood.

You’ll Be Protected In Case of a Pump Malfunction While On Vacation

A plumbing disaster can happen anytime, even when you are away on vacation. When this occurs, the issue can have a devastating impact on your home because you aren’t there to deal with the problem. 

With a battery-operated backup sump pump, you’ll be protected in the event that your sump pump malfunctions while you are out of town, so you can enjoy your vacation stress-free.

Need a Sump Pump Battery Backup Installed? Call My Plumber Kelowna

If you are a Kelowna resident that needs a battery backup sump pump installed, contact our Kelowna-based plumbers right away to avoid the issues that come with a DIY installation. 

At My Plumber Kelowna, we have a team of licensed, trained, and highly experienced plumbers who can install your sump pump and diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve any plumbing issues caused by an improperly installed pump. 

Call us today at 250-601-0000 or fill out a form on our website and we will be in touch ASAP.