What Sump Pump Backup Options Do You Have?

Sump pumps can be quite unreliable. Power going out, float switch failed, pump burned out, clogged lines, all very common sump pump failures. However, you can eliminate this threat by backing up your sump pump.

So what are your backup options?

There are a number of backup options that you can consider. You can get a battery backup pump, install a generator, install a water-powered backup, install a high-water alarm, and maybe buy a secondary pump.

First, let’s see if you really need a backup pump. In some areas, you don’t even need the main sump pump.

Do you need a backup sump pump system?

Whether you need a backup pump or not depends on how well your main pump is functioning, what are the weather conditions in your area, the location of your basement, and the number of power outages in a year.

Start by inspecting your sump pump. Check how old it is and its condition, a sump pump can decay in the sump pit. Are you confident in your sump pump? Your sump pump can work well in normal conditions, but what about the rainy season?

It’s important to know how active your pump is during heavy rains. If it’s really active, more than 3 times in an hour, you need a backup pump. Even if your sump pump is not that active during heavy rain, check the water level just to be sure.

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how active your sump pump is but what matters is the location of your basement. Is your house at the low point of the neighborhood? If it is, that means that any excess water will flow to your house.

In these situations, it is recommended to have a backup pump or a secondary pump. A few sump pumps can handle that much water, especially in the rainy season. A backup pump will help the main pump and keep your basement safe.

Now, is the area where you live prone to power outages? Surely, if you live in that kind of area, you already have a battery backup or a generator for the house. If not, get one as soon as possible. Power outages are the main reason why basements flood.

Evaluate if you need a backup sump pump system. Let’s see what are your options.

1. Battery backup pump

I’m sure most of you are familiar with battery backups, the most popular backup option. They are relatively cheap and easy to install, that is why homeowners like them so much.

This is an emergency unit; you can’t rely on the battery backup pump as your main pump. You can find units that have a main pump and a battery backup. These sump pump combos come pre-assembled and work really well.

Battery backups turn on when there is a power outage, the main sump pump fails or needs help with the water. They are placed slightly above the main sump pump and are only turned on if the water level is high.

If you already have a new sump pump, but you want a battery backup, you can still get one (check out the article: adding a battery backup to an existing sump pump). Battery backups can be sold separately. You will need to buy a battery for the backup too, batteries are usually cheap.

Most units come with an alarm that will tell you that the battery backup is working. This is great for monitoring your basement, it will also alert you if there is a problem with your backup.

Also, you don’t have to worry about installing a new discharge line, you can connect it to the existing one.

This is a great option as a backup pump, you can leave the house and still be confident that your basement will be okay. You will feel a lot safer when a power outage occurs, that is the main goal of the battery backup pump.

The only maintenance they require is battery replacement or maybe putting battery acid. It really isn’t hard to keep your back up in good shape, they are easily removable and installed.

However, they do have some disadvantages. If you want to rely on your battery backup for more than 24 hours, you will need more than one battery backup. Depends on how much they run, the battery usually lasts 7-24 hours.

This may not be ideal for some homeowners but it’s unreasonable to expect more. If you want a backup that can run longer, there is an option that we will talk about later.

Although battery backups are designed for emergencies, they can still fail. Like every ordinary sump pump, the battery backup can experience the same problems. With proper maintenance, you can minimize this risk, make sure you replace the battery every 3 years.

All in all, I would recommend getting a sump pump combo. You can still get a powerful primary sump pump, and the battery would serve only as a precaution. Even if your area does not have regular power outages.

That’s all about the battery backup, I am sure most of you knew this by now. Let’s talk about generator powered backups.

2. Generator powered backups

You can power almost any unit in your house with a generator, but we are only interested in sump pumps. Some homeowners despise this as an option and some found this as a very good option.

There are two kinds of generators, one is a manual start fuel generator and the other is an automatic standby generator. Both have advantages and disadvantages; it all comes to personal preferences.

A generator is used only when there is a power outage, using it in another situation really makes no sense. So, if you want a backup that will help when your main pump fails, this really isn’t an option for you.

A manual start generator is a portable unit that uses gasoline to start the sump pump in power outage events. As the name implies, you have to start the generator yourself, that may be an issue for some homeowners.

You have to run an extension cord in order to connect the generator and the sump pump. This may be a safety hazard, so caution is advised.

A manual start generator is not that good of an option when you consider the disadvantages it comes with. The only advantage it has to the battery backup is that it is cheaper.

As I said, you have to be home to start the generator. This is a big issue for people who are often traveling or work late. Also, you may have to put fuel in it if the power outage lasts longer than you expected.

What’s worse is that it does not protect your basement if the sump pump fails. Battery backups will turn on when the main pump fails, but there is no such option with generators. You only have one sump pump.

Installing the generator may be dangerous, so you will need a professional. If you do not connect the generator properly, it is a safety hazard for the sump pump and your house.

The automatic standby generator is slightly better than the manual start generator. It starts automatically when there is a power outage, usually powered by gasoline or propane.

It lasts longer than the manual start generator and it does not have any safety hazards that may concern you. It can power large units in your house such as refrigerators or furnaces.

What people don’t like about the automatic standby generator is that is expensive. Installation and maintenance costs are significantly higher than the manual start generator. The generator needs an oil change every 2 years.

If you are handy, you can install the manual start generator yourself, however, you can’t do this with the automatic standby generator. You must hire a professional that will do the job for you. Also, you will need a permit for the installation of this unit.

If generators are not a viable option for you, don’t worry, there are still some options left.

3. Water powered backup

Now, this is an option that does not use the usual sources of power. This backup option relies on water pressure from the city water system. It’s a new method that still needs improvement.

This is an emergency backup pump that turns on when there is a power outage event or the main pump fails. It uses the pressure from your fresh water supply to start.

What you must understand about this backup option is that it uses city water, so your area must have a municipal water system. Municipal water systems have pressure even during power outages.

You can’t rely on the water pressure in your house, this wouldn’t be an emergency backup option because there is no water pressure in your house during power outages.

If you don’t have a municipal water system in your area, this is not a viable option for you.

A water powered backup requires a copper pipe that connects the municipal water system and your sump pump. When water flows through the copper pipe, it creates a vacuum that sucks the water from the sump pit into the discharge line.

This backup option starts automatically, it needs a Venturi valve, a float switch for the valve, and a discharge line that will also have a check valve. Also, you need a permit for this backup pump.

Like everything in life, this backup option has some disadvantages that overshadow everything good about the pump.

What’s good about this sump pump is that it does not rely on electricity, you can be confident that this pump will always start, it starts even when the main pump fails.

However, this is really an expensive option. And when I say expensive, I really mean expensive. Not only for you but for the city too.

This pump uses 2 gallons of water to pump 1 gallon of water. You can see that this will show up on your water bill. Many homeowners complained about big water bills after installing a water powered backup.

Installation is really complicated. Construction will be needed in your basement. If you just remodeled your basement, this is not an option for you. It needs another internal discharge and more external piping.

This sump uses a Reduced Pressure Zone valves and piping that must be inspected by a city inspector every 3 years. This costs a lot more than the options mentioned above.

Failure can only appear in the float switch. This will not result in flooding or damaging your sump pump, but if the float switch is stuck on the “ON” option, your water bill will give you a heart attack.

Keep in mind that this is a new method that will improve over the years, I recommend getting a water powered backup only if you have the budget.

If the water powered backup did not interest you, maybe this next one will.

4. A secondary sump pump

Getting a secondary sump pump is not only a backup option but a necessity for big basements. Homeowners are often skeptic about getting a secondary sump pump, but those who did get one are really satisfied.

The secondary sump pump works the same as the primary one. If you are using it as a backup you need to place it higher than the primary one.

When the water gets too high because the main pump failed or isn’t capable of handling the water alone, the secondary sump pump turns on automatically via a float switch.

It has the same benefits as all the ordinary sump pumps. It comes with a few disadvantages that can be solved with little effort and more money.

A secondary sump pump may not be an option for you if your sump pit is small. The secondary sump pump will crowd the sump pit even if the pit big. Getting a secondary sump pump means 2 discharge pipes, 2 check valves, and 2 electric wires.

What’s worst about this option is that it isn’t effective in power outage events. However, you can solve this by getting a generator, preferably an automatic standby generator.

I highly recommend getting a secondary sump pump if your sump pit is big enough. You can mix it up a little bit and get one primary pump and one sump pump combo with a battery backup. That way you won’t need a generator and have 3 sump pumps.

These were the four main backup options that homeowners usually use. If this didn’t help you stick around, you may like what follows.

High water alarm system

Some homeowners prefer a high-water alarm system. This alarm will tell you when the water in the pit reaches a critical level.

This may not be that effective with your one sump pump but as wise people say, knowledge is power. Surely, there is something you can do even if you only have one sump pump.

Usually, homeowners have a battery backup or a secondary sump pump stored in their closet. When the alarm rings that the water level is too high, they just put the backup in the pit and let it do its job.

With the high-water alarm system, you can prevent your backup from decaying in the sump pit.

That’s all about the backup options, now it’s up to you to decide what is feasible. Hope this helped you, good luck.

Related questions

What will happen with my battery backup if not used at all?

It depends on how long you didn’t use it. Nothing will happen with the pump but the battery will probably be dead. Batteries need to be used in order to stay alive. Make sure to check the condition of your battery every 6 months.

Does the size of the manual start generator matter?

Yes, it does. If your sump pump is not that powerful, buy a small generator, a big one will burn it out. If your sump pump is powerful get a big one, a small one will decrease efficiency.

Can a water powered backup pump get clogged?

I would say it’s almost impossible for a water powered backup to get clogged. It uses a different kind of suction and different pipes. Water powered backups usually have discharge lines that are vertically placed, so clogging is no problem.