Your sump pump is one of those elements you may not think about until you need it—then you expect that it’s operating as it should. Some homes with basements or crawl spaces are guarded from ground water damage by a network of drainage pipes around the foundation. The pipes direct water into a shallow pit, or sump, where a sump pump pushes the water out and away from the house through a discharge pipe. A damaged or broken pump can quickly allow water to overflow the sump and damage your basement.
Although rather simple, a sump pump is one of the most critical and overlooked disaster prevention devices in a home. Sump pumps work automatically each time water fills the sump, making them easy to forget about. While generally very reliable, it is only as good as the power that keeps it operating.
When this simple system breaks down, the results can be disastrous, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage, daily disruptions caused by major repair work and higher insurance premiums for years to come. So spending some time and money on avoiding failure makes a lot of sense. That’s the benefit of sump pump battery backup systems—no matter what the reason for the pump failure, a backup system will save the day.
Advantages of battery backup systems
- Simple to maintain
- Basic installation
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Unlike water-powered systems, battery backup systems operate when there’s no water supply
- Functional during power outages
Considerations for battery backup systems
- Battery may run down before power comes back on
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Battery water levels must be checked every few months
- Battery terminals must be cleaned twice a year
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Battery must be replaced every five years (and costs approximately $100)
So, when your sump pump starts acting different, call McKinley Heating Service Experts to check out your concern and help you decide on new sump pump installation, repair or replacement for your Edmonton home.