A sump pump is essential to prevent water from entering a basement where there are ground water problems. In most cases your main pump is enough to do the job. When storms hit the Florham Park area, however, your sump pump will work only if your home has power. Once the power goes out, you’re left to bail out your basement on your own until power is restored. That’s why it’s important to consider your options for backup pump systems.
Basically, there are two kinds of backup basement pumps that will provide a sense of security should your main pump fail:
- Water-powered sump pumps
- Battery backup sump pumps
Install a basement backup pump before your primary sump pump fails.
If you have a finished basement the last thing you want to happen is a flood which can ruin everything downstairs from your floor covering to your walls and furniture. When your primary sump pump fails, you need to have a Plan B in place to ensure that the water continues to get removed from your sump pit. Of the best options, water powered and battery backups are the most popular.
A water-powered backup pump is connected to the local water source entering your home. It utilizes your home’s water pressure to pump the ground water out of your basement sump pit. Importantly, a water-powered backup pump doesn’t require electricity or a battery to operate, which means it can take over when your sump pump fails and keep the water flowing out of your home even when there’s no power. Depending on the size of the connection to your water supply, a water-powered backup sump pump can actually outperform your primary pump.
Your other option is a battery operated backup pump. These will work just fine as long as the power is restored to your home before the battery loses power. A battery backup pump can be a good solution particularly for homeowners who are typically close to home or who don’t travel for work. It can give you several hours or more of pumping power so you have a chance to take measures in the event of a longer power outage. For example, a battery backup can give you time to fill gas tanks so you can power your portable generator.
For the ultimate sump pump backup, consider a whole house standby generator.
If you have a finished basement, flood remediation can be an expensive proposition. Consider also the rest of your home and all of your electronics and appliances that are unworkable when a power outage occurs. The ideal antidote for all of these unpowered devices, as well as your basement sump pump, is to have a whole house standby generator that kicks on when the power goes out. Stashluk is authorized to sell and service leading brands of generators. An automatic standby generator provides the ultimate peace of mind to allay any concerns you have about losing the contents of your basement to a flood.
Florham Park NJ Sump pump maintenance is important.
When was the last time your sump pump was inspected? Outside of having the right backup system in place, there’s not much you can do if your primary sump pump fails in the middle of typical rainstorm or spring melt. There are a host of reasons why sump pumps fail and most have to do with age, wear and tear, and debris entering the sump pit. Depending on the age of your sump pump, it’s always a good idea to have a backup pump on hand in case you need to swap out the primary pump.
Sump pump problems to watch out for before the storm hits…
Signs of bacteria – As sump pumps age they can begin to show signs of bacteria growth, which can restrict the amount of water flow from your pump. Call Stashluk. We’ll investigate the extent of the problem and either clean it or recommend a better solution.
Lack of use – If the weather has been going through a dry spell and the pump hasn’t been used, test it by filling the sump pit to make sure that it’s working. If not, give Stashluk a call and we’ll diagnose the problem.
Constant running – A pump that never seems to stop running could be obstructed by debris in the sump pit or the float could be lodged against the pit wall. If during a storm discharged water keeps running back into the pit, you might need a more powerful pump or the check valve might be defective.
The sump pump wobbles – A bent impeller can cause a sump pump to wobble. This is usually caused by debris entering the machine and striking the impeller. A bent impeller usually requires replacement.
The sump pump makes strange sounds – Again, any debris that gets sucked into the machine can damage parts like bearings and other parts. Some of these parts can be replaced but others, like a bent impeller, may require replacement.
Choosing the right Florham Park NJ Sump Pump Installation Expert
A flooded basement is no fun. The good news is there are lots of ways to tackle basement flooding problems. Ask Stashluk which sump pump would be best for your basement, and which backup system will do the best job for you when the power goes out. To learn more about Florham Park NJ Sump Pump Installation and to schedule an appointment, give Stashluk a call today at 908.277.6200.
