Toms Websites

I’m trying to figure out how much sump pump failure and sewer backup insurance my mother should have on her house with a finished basement. I’ve already estimated the likelihood of it happening with reasonable accuracy, but I have no idea how to estimate the possible damage that could occur.

I realize there’s no way to get a very accurate figure by asking this here, so I’m just looking for ballpark figures for how much damage an incident could cause. I’d like to know what an average amount of damage might be, and also a worst-case scenario (water up to ground level, etc).

But ANY information would be better than what I have now, so thanks for any at all!

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

the Basement Sentry by Zoeller, 12 Volt DC Battery Backup Pump in our storage rroom is making a horrible droining sound, for the past 1 hour. any ideas on how to fix it? or and other ideas at all?

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

I have a sump pump in my basement. The electric one works just fine. The battery back up is causing problems. The charging unit is showing no lights at all. The stickers on the unit say that if no lights are showing to reset the breaker. There is what appears to be a breaker switch on the unit. When I hit this the lines over my head in the basement (the electricity lines, I think) make a clicking sound. Note, the sump pump itself does nothing, doesn’t shake or anything. Only this loud clicking noise. Also, when I press that breaker button, the battery charging unit flashes all the lights.

The outlet where the charger is plugged is working fine. I’ve also tried to plug it in elsewhere. I bought a new battery today and connected it to the charger. No change.

The charger is an Aqua Not brand.

Any suggestions what to try. I’m at a loss.

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

Before my parents moved into our current house, the water heater was apparently in the kitchen. The FHA made them dig out a spot in the basement to put the water heater. So basically what we have is a crawlspace basement…with an area about 15 feet long, 3.5 to 4 feet wide, and about 3.5 feet deep that is bricked off all the way around with cinderblock bricks to hold the surrounding dirt in place. When it rains a lot (usually 2-3 days), water runs in due to the hole being “under” the ground level.

A pedestal sump pump (with motor above water level and a propeller on the bottom) has been down there since we’ve moved in…and it has been changed out with a new one a few different times over the years. One year we had a tropical storm pass right over us. It knocked out the power and that hole filled with about 1 foot of filthy dirt water, since the pump couldn’t get power to pump it out. I dipped all that crap out with a bucket that night. Dried the water heater…it re-lit, thankfully. The heating/air machine also was fine (that’s also down there and closer to the sump hole than the water heater is).

I dug the sump hole deeper after that incident – it’s about a 40 gallon sump hole now, about 3 feet across. I lined the big hole with cement (it was previously just a dirt bottom and still is in a lot of other areas). I installed a new pedestal sump pump, along with a battery backup sump pump (submersible) operated by a marine battery. However, the battery backup pump seems to have died/frozen up. I’ve looked all over for a solution online, or for a better backup pump that can pump dirty water without getting clogged and freezing up. They don’t seem to exist.

Any suggestions on a backup pump for when the power goes out? The battery backup pumps are quite horrible with dirty water. They might work well in a nice and clean sump pump in a new house…but not for what I need it to do. I know they make “water powered pumps”…but that’s not all that great, either.

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

I’ve been looking at APC brand UPS (uniterruptable power supply) and need to figure out what the minimum size ups needed (700,1400, etc) to power the sump pump is…

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

Due to 9″ of rain falling in 4 hrs., my sump pump and backup failed. I am looking for ‘insurance’ that it won’t happen again. I think the backup pump discharge outside. Has anyone used a water-powered backup pump in severe conditions? If not, what kind of “regular” backup pump do you recommend?

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

Just purchased a home with a sump pump with a backup pump. The backup pump brand is “Ace in the Hole”. The battery is in a thick plastic case and is plugged into the wall. There is a test button on the case, however, when I press that button, absolutely nothing happens. No noise, no lights light up, nothing. Everything appears to be connected correctly, but I just can’t figure out the issue. Is it maybe a dead battery? But wouldn’t the AC power still give me some kind of light on the unit telling me the battery is dead? The regular pump functions perfectly and I haven’t had the need for the backup pump yet. But when I do, I would like it to be functional. Any ideas?

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

pump I installed to replace the 14 year old submersible ejector. the float level is set high to prevent short cycling. for pump information see the manufacturers website at: www.swabypump.com

Related Blogs

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

Sump pump review

Related Blogs

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply

Toms Websites

Several different styles of sump pumps are available on the market today. You will likely be familiar with the old upright model that has been around for many years. You might be aware of the completely submersible version although not be as widely recognized. Maybe the newest version of sump pumping is actually powered by water. This often may be the one utility that is least subject to down time – your water system. It then makes sense that if you can use that energy to power your backup sump pumps installation, your are most likely to have a working sump pump system during worst case conditions.

Common Backup Sump Pumps Components

A plastic or metal reservoir of 15 to 25 US gallons (60 to 100 L). Although sump reservoirs can be constructed from different materials, the most commonly used materials are: clay, tile, steel, concrete, fibreglass or polyethylene. The average sump reservoir is approximately eighteen inches in diameter and two to three feet in depth. Situated in the low point of a dwelling’ s basement, most reservoirs have holes on either side to accommodate incoming drainage tiles. These reservoirs should be covered for safety reasons. Depending on the size of your home, it might be necessary to have more than one sump tank installed.
Most sump pumps are rated at 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower and may be battery or electrically powered.
Plumbing that is typically 1.5 inch (38 mm) PVC, is routed from the pump, through a check valve, and out of the house to a storm drain or weeping system.
A check valve allows water to flow up and out through the pipes, so when the pump turns off, the water in the pipes doesn’t flow backwards back into your house.
 
Runoff water produced by rain is collects around the house foundation. New homes will have drainage tiles buried around the house perimeter. This water collection system will direct that excess water to a storm drain or sump pump installation. There may also be a bed of tile drainage beneath the basement floor that serves the same purpose.
This drainage system collects and channels water into the sump reservoir. This reservoir has been designed to collect any surface water from the floor and drainage system. It will be structured slightly lower than the main floor and water migrates to that area. When  water fills the reservoir to a pre-determined level, a float or switching device activates the pump and pumps the excess water to a storm drain or weeping system.

If the sump pump installation is connected to storm drains, it is essential that the system employ back up check valves. This will prevent a storm drain backing up into your house. Too many people have discovered the hard way that a check valve was not properly installed in their system.

Some homes also maintain a secondary battery-powered sump pump in case the first pump can not operate under various conditions. It’s main components might include – a battery-driven 12 V sump pump with its own water level sensor, piping, check valve, and a lead-acid car or marine deep cycle battery. A trickle-charge battery charger will maintain a constant charge to the battery.

PLUMBINGRSS

Mechanics of  Backup Sump Pumps

The Water Powered Sump Pump Installation

With the protection of a water powered sump pump, no electricity is required.

Electricity is not 100% reliable as many storms can cause power failures. You can feel safer with a backup protection device in place that runs without electric power? Water pressure backup pumps which run off municipal water will still operate when the lights go out and your electricity powered sump pump installation shuts down.

Even while experiencing the heaviest rainfalls and worst storm conditions, a properly installed water powered backup sump pump installation should be able to satisfy your requirements.
Your water pressure backup pump can be installed above your primary sump pump system, and will work simultaneously with it should the need present itself. To satisfy the wide variance in needs there are several models available to suit your particular needs.
Today we see much more effort to protect the environment. Because a water pressure backup sump pump installation is powered by water pressure, there is no need to be concerned about battery disposal, gas or other adverse environmental effects of generating electricity. This is another great side benefit to this type of sump pump installation.

The Sump Pump Resource Center - Sump Pump Service and Supply