Flooding causes millions of dollars in damages to homes across America each year. Fortunately, there are battery backups designed to activate if the primary pump becomes inoperable because of issues with your main sump pump or electrical failure. They are beneficial, although there are drawbacks to consider as well.

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a device that removes water from basements, crawl spaces, or other low-lying areas where flooding is likely when it rains or snows. The sump pump normally sits in a small pit called a sump basin. It operates by determining if there are rising water levels, and when water levels get higher, it starts pumping out excess water before it can damage your property.

Benefits

The biggest perk associated with battery backup sump pumps is having a reliable source for water removal if your main sump pump fails. There are also sump pump kits, including battery backup pumps, that are priced to sell.

A battery backup sump pump is not dependent on your home’s electrical power to operate. Therefore, an outage or an electrical issue does not prevent it from moving water out of your home. These systems have a float switch that triggers the pump to turn on, and the battery allows them to operate for several hours. Other benefits of battery backup sump pumps include:

• Protects your home against water damage
• Works during power outages
• Assists the primary sump pump

Drawbacks

It’s not always easy to fix battery backup sump pumps. Simply replacing the battery isn’t an option in many instances. You’ll most likely need to call in a professional and pay for parts and labor. Many battery sump pumps have gel batteries. The claim is that they are safer for you and your family. However, gel batteries can cost three to five times as much as wet cell batteries. Gel batteries are heavier, and they offer no performance advantages.

A battery backup sump pump does not necessarily have the same capacity as the main pump. This isn’t all that helpful if your main pump fails before it stops raining. Another drawback is that the battery sump pump may not work well if it’s a low-quality kit, which is common with these kits. If you invest in a battery backup sump pump, consider a higher quality one that won’t break down when needed most.

Get the battery backup sump pump you need to protect your home. Contact Nichols Electric and Plumbing in Rochester, NY to schedule your sump pump service.