Is Your Basement Sump Pump Going To Work When You Need It Most? Basement sump pumps are special pumps made to remove water from your basement. It is very important you test the sump pump on a regular basis to make sure it will work when you need it most.
How a basement sump pump works
The sump pump sits in a sump pit, which is a hole in the lower section of the floor. Drains or the pitch of the floor direct the water to the pit. When the water starts to rise in the pit to a certain threshold, an automatic sump pump turns on. Manually operated pumps require monitoring, you must turn them on only when water is present.
The sump pump will pump the water through the discharge pipe and dispose of the water away from the house. On an incline, the discharge pipe has a one-way check valve in the line to ensure water does not fall back down the pipe and into the pit.
Testing the sump pump
Fill the sump pit with water, an automatic pump will turn on by itself when the water reaches a predetermined threshold. If working, once the sensor or float switch triggers, the sump pump will begin pumping the water out. It’s normal to have some water remain after the sump pump shuts off.
You must turn on a manual sump pump once there is enough water in the pit. If working, it will also start to pump the water out.
If the sump pump failed, a repair or replacement is necessary. In an emergency the pit could overflow, allowing water to flood the basement.
Why did the pump fail?
Important: Turn the power off before working on a sump pump.
If the sump pump did not work during the test, check for debris blocking the intake screen and pipe, and the exit pipe. Clear the pipes if needed, then rerun the test.
It’s also possible the motor died. Often these are unfixable, and cheaper to replace than repair. However; here are a few things to consider when looking for a new basement sump pump.
What to consider when purchasing or replacing a basement sump pump
Sump pumps work on electrical power. Think about this. When do you need the sump pump to work the most? In a storm when there’s heavy rain. We all know what happens in a storm, we lose power.
Do you have a backup plan for when you lose power?
Here are a few considerations:
Sump pump with inverter
Sump pump with inverter: You could use an inverter and a car battery to run the sump pump. The sump pump requires high amps to operate. So, you need an inverter with enough watts to supply the pump. This causes a heavy draw on your battery which then requires constant recharging. Not to mention, this requires manual operation.
Sump pump with generator
Sump pump with generator: A generator is a great piece of equipment to have when the power goes out. However, the generator must put out enough power to run the items it operates. Most generators require a manual start. If you must evacuate or are not home, this could be a problem.
Sump pump backup system
Sump pump backup system: Some more expensive basement sump pumps have built in backup systems. They operate on 110-120volt house power and a backup battery. The battery charges when the power is on. When there is a power failure, the pump switches to its battery backup system. An automatic sump pump will only operate as needed, so the battery can last awhile. Some of these dual power pumps can have an extra battery for longer life and it may be possible to have a solar back up charging system. An electrician can help with install.
Here’s an example of a sump pump with a backup system. Please be aware, I’m not necessarily recommending this one, it is only an example, there are many brands and types available.
Sump pump with auto-generator:
Some generators operate automatically when there is a power failure. Some generators require constant refueling. However, there are versions that can be piped into the house’s natural gas line. If the gas is on, then the generator will continue to run while the power is out. A professional must install this option.
Last thing I’d like to mention. For emergency sump pump failures a boat bilge pump comes in handy to help remove the water from the basement. A bilge pump can run off your car battery. Buy a suitable size for your situation.
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