Lincoln versus Douglass.

Eagles versus Giants.

Water back-up Sump Pump versus Battery backup Sump Pump.

OK, the last one may not rank with the first two (except with us plumbing types) but when it comes to pumping water out of your cellar or basement, you’ll want to read this blog real closely.

Just as a refresher, your sump pump removes water that collects in your basement or cellar. It is installed in the lowest part of your basement. Water enters your home through your drains or through ground water from heavy rains or melting snow.

The pump pulls water out of the basement or cellar and into the yard. It  prevents flooding and water damage in your home.

Now, when that massive storm or electrical blackout inevitably comes, your sump pump needs to have a backup to keep the sump basin from overflowing in your basement and causing serious water damage. There are two types of backups for a sump pump:

1. Water: The water backup runs strictly off of water power. Meaning, when your sump pump shuts down water flows through it causing  pressure to reduce. That reduced pressure forces the water into a sump crock where it combines with city water and then flows out of the discharge line. Your water backup will run as long as you have city water. If you don’t have city water, and this is very important to remember, your sump pump backup will stop pumping. It can pump over six (6) gallons per minute.
2. Battery: This is an auxiliary backup using a rechargeable 12-volt marine or car battery. It can pump out water for eight hours (before shutting off) following the loss of power. It is much more powerful than a water backup as it pumps over twenty-one (21) gallons per minute.

Of course, while the backup is doing the job of pumping the potable water out, you are trying to get the main sump pump running again so that the backup can be shut off. It is never meant to be the main sump pump, however, only a “Plan B” for your main pump.

I like water back-ups but you may want to consider a battery backup for these reasons:

1. It doesn’t depend on electricity. You can depend on it anytime during the year.
2. It pumps more water out per minute (see above).
3. It’s affordable and easy to maintain. The battery will have to be replaced over time, of course, but that should take a few years with normal usage.
4. Peace of mind. I have a battery backup installed in my home and when Hurricane Sandy came barreling through, I had no worries. The battery backup was ready. (Thankfully, I didn’t need it as we dodged the bullet here in the Phoenixville, Pennsylvania area.)

So, call a licensed plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing (610) 342-6852 or check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and have us take a look at your sump pump and its backup system. The snowstorms are coming. Be ready.