What are the benefits of a Battery Back-Up Sump Pump?

Not Every Hero Wears a Cape

“Alright, what’s our Plan B?”

“There is no Plan B.”

“…What do you mean there’s no Plan B?”

This is about the time when panic sets in. If you could predict the future, you wouldn’t need a backup plan. But life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think everything is going according to plan, something happens that throws you for a loop. That’s why it’s important to always have a backup plan— especially when there’s a lot at stake.

Water can wreak havoc on a home. And it doesn’t take a lot of it to do some serious damage. According to FEMA, one inch of water in your home can cost over $27,000 in damage. A wet basement in Westfield, NJ, Roselle Park, NJ, and elsewhere in the Garden State can be devastating to your finances and your peace of mind.

With a backup pump, you can protect your home through the uncertainties. It might not be the primary method for removing water. But it’s the one you’ll be most thankful for in an emergency!

One Primary Pump Isn’t Enough

“I already have a sump pump, why do I need another one?”

Skydivers already have a parachute when they jump out of an airplane. But you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll have a reserve, too!

Sump pumps are just like any other piece of equipment. They’re designed to work properly, but this doesn’t mean they always will. Should something go wrong with your primary pump, you’ll want to have a backup plan in place.

Backup pumps are beneficial when:

• The power goes out. When your home loses power, you lose your sump pump, too. With a backup pump, you won’t need to sweat it. Your backup pump will pick up where your primary pump left off. And on a full battery, your backup pump can last for days. One product we carry, the Smart Charging Battery Backup Sump Pump, can remove up to 10,000 gallons of water on a single charge! Another Blue Angel model, the Combination Battery Backup/Primary Sump Pump System, undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it will do its job during a power outage. According to Blue Angel, the switch is tested 1,000,000 times—talk about assurance!
• The circuit trips while you aren’t home. A tripped circuit isn’t a big deal when you’re there to reset it. But if you aren’t, that’s when something can go wrong. A backup pump will step in and remove the water even when you’re away.
• The pump wasn’t plugged in. We’re all human and mistakes happen. But when your home floods and you realize it’s because your sump pump wasn’t plugged in, your frustration level hits the roof. The best way to protect against human error is to have a backup pump that doesn’t rely on electrical power.
• Your pump isn’t working properly. Any type of mechanical failure can render your primary pump useless. You might not even know there’s a problem with your pump until you really need it. In baseball, there’s always a backup pitcher to replace the starter when he’s having an off night. You’ll need that backup pump if your primary pump falters.
• Your pump can’t handle the excess water. Maybe your primary pump was improperly sized and can’t remove the water fast enough. Or maybe a bad storm rolls through and dumps a tremendous amount of rain. Whatever the case may be, your pump can’t keep up. Good thing your backup pump can swoop in to save the day!

How Do I Choose the Right Backup Pump?

Choosing the right backup pump depends on a number of factors. If your home has a high water table, you’ll want a pump that can remove more water at a faster rate.

You also need to know how high the water needs to rise through the discharge pipe before it can exit the basement. Since the sump pit is located beneath the basement floor, most pumps need to push the water at least 10 ft. high before it leaves the basement. Knowing how high the water needs to rise will determine how much water the pump can remove per hour or per minute. An experienced waterproofing company will be able to recommend the right backup pump for your needs.

At Blue Umbrella Waterproofing, we carry a number of different makes and models of backup pumps. We also carry both battery-powered and water-powered pumps such as the Liberty Sump Jet. The main difference between the two is that unlike a battery pump which runs on a rechargeable battery, a water pump uses the energy of flowing water to remove water away from your home. Water-powered pumps require proper water pressure levels from a municipal water source. If your water supply comes from a private well, you will need a battery backup pump.

Extra Features That Make All the Difference

We install a wide range of pumps that offer many different features, including:

An alarm feature (so you know when your backup pump kicks in)

• Battery charging level
• Low battery signals
• Quiet operation
• Durable cast iron material
• Wireless-enabled models—receive notifications right from your smartphone!
• …And more!

Whether you want simple or top of the line, we’ve got you covered. Contact us to learn more about these features and their many benefits.

Don’t Overlook the Backup Plan 

Every plan needs a backup plan. And when you compare the cost of a backup pump to the potential cost of a flooded home, the difference is significant.

Blue Umbrella Waterproofing offers sump pump installations in Union County, NJ, and beyond. To request a free estimate or to learn more about our services, contact us online or call us at 908.432.8858.