Water-powered and Battery-powered back-up sump pumps

  The worst time to think about a back-up sump pump is when your basement is filling with water after a heavy summer thunderstorm. That is why now is the time to consider both the pros and cons of installing a back-up sump pump. Now granted, most homeowners aren't going to have to deal with their basement flooding due to a sump pump malfunction. However, some will and it is best that all homeowners evaluate the risk and costs so that they can make an informed decision regarding their home.
  The two options that are commonly available are the battery back-up sump pump and the water-powered version. Now it is important to mention that these two options should never serve as your primary pump, they are only to be used in the back-up role. The purpose of a back-up sump pump is to be on standby should your primary pump be overwhelmed during a high influx of groundwater or if the power goes out rendering your primary pump useless.
  The first question people raise is whether or not they should even invest in a back-up sump pump. It is honestly not for everyone.  It is however a great preventative measure to take. Some factors play into whether or not a homeowner should install a back-up. One is primarily an issue of groundwater. How often does your primary pump run? Does it run regularly or only when it rains? Other things to consider are your soil type and whether or not the grade (dirt) slopes away from your house. Because if a lot of water leaches in, you can bet that the chances of your primary pump being overwhelmed or malfunctioning go higher. Another simple question to ask is whether or not your basement is finished or if you have plans to finish it in the future. 
  So let's say that you've decided to invest in a back-up sump pump. An initial universal cost that you will need to be prepared for is running a separate discharge line which is recommended by most installers. The reason for this is that if the check valve on the other line fails it will just push water back into the pit if the lines are connected. After considering this that leads us to which option to choose: Water-powered or Battery back-up. There are pros and cons to both and so in hope of painting a fair picture of both their characteristics will be laid out.
  Firstly we are going to look at the Battery back-up. We frequently use the PHCC Pro Series products so I will be examining them. The battery back-up sump pump is very easy to install and this is one of its initial appeals because it does not require a large amount of piping or prepping. Also the battery back-up is normally cheaper then the water-powered. This is also another alluring incentive to go with this option. The PHCC Pro Series products also come with an alarm system that will tell the homeowner when something isn't working right. It will also sound an alarm when the battery is defective and needs to be replaced. So if you don't ignore these warnings, you can usually take care of any potential problems as they come.
  However, one must consider some of the set backs of a battery back-up. Firstly it is battery powered and therefore it will only last so long. So in the midst of an extended power outage, it will eventually run out of power. Also the batteries themselves have an average life of 5-7 years (but can go bad sooner!) and will then need to be replaced. That is extended maintenance and cost to the homeowner. These are things that one must consider when looking at a battery back-up.
  Now onto the water powered back-up. When installing this type of system we normally go with a Guardian system from A.Y. McDonald. These systems are run solely by water which is fed by a 3/4" line that will need to be run from your existing water piping. A great benefit of running on water alone is that it is not reliant on electrical power and therefore will be unaffected by any power outages. It also will run as long as you have water pressure in your lines so you don't have to worry about a battery going dead after hours of pumping. The peace of mind of this invaluable when the lights are out and the rain is pouring down. The reliability of this product is often times worth the extra cost that comes with it.    
  Some concerns arise however, from the usage of water in the system and how much water is wasted during the pumping process. The amount of water used per gallon removed depends on water pressure, but the rule of thumb tends to be one gallon of clean water for every two gallons of ground water. Another thing to consider is the price. Though I cannot quote an exact price this style of pump is more expensive then a battery-operated system. Also as aforementioned a 3/4" line is need to feed the pump so addition piping may be required which will add to the cost. An RPZ valve is also required by code in many areas so an additional purchase of that valve will be needed. The valve prevents gray water from being siphoned back into the fresh water system. You will also have to have a submersible sump pump as your primary pump as opposed to a pedestal because the pedestal will be in the way of the water-powered system. An existing cost may be incurred if you do not.
  I hope this gives you a platform to begin a deeper investigation into the worthiness of installing a back-up sump pump as well as the pros and cons of each style. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it is a good place to start. Hopefully now you have some of the information you need to make a decision.




Just don't wait until you feel the squish of wet carpet between your toes before considering the practicality of a back-up sump pump!