[WARNING] Your basement may be at risk for water damage

How to Fail-Safe Your Sump Pit from Overflow

Are you worried about water damage in your basement? The solution is simple and effective!

Installation of a sump pump in your home can prevent water damage and give you the confidence your home is safe from flooding.

How does it work, and why is it important?

Water drains from beneath the house into the sump pit via plastic tubes called weeping tiles. When the water in the sump pit reaches beyond a pre-set level, a switch is triggered, turning the sump pump on, and emptying it. The excess water pumps out of the house through the discharge pipes. No doubt, the sump pit, and the sump pump work nicely to protect your basement from flooding!

What happens when water floods the pit?

If the sump pump is working correctly, the sump pit should never overflow. However, sump pumps that are not maintained may overflow and flood your basement.

After you install your sump pump, you may think your home is safe from basement flooding, but the truth is, your sump pump could fail without any warning. Here are four ways to guarantee your sump pump is in top condition when you need it the most.

Here are four shockingly easy ways to guarantee your sump pump is working

Install a Back-up Battery

It may seem like an obvious choice, but many homeowners forget about the potential of a power outage during a thunderstorm. An additional energy source guarantees your sump pump will continue to work through any power outage. It is highly recommended for homeowners outside of city-limits to have a back-up power source. You may want to consider a back-up battery source that connects to an auxiliary pump that automatically starts when the power goes out. This auxiliary pump is small, powerful and fits nicely within the existing pump framework (view the diagram).

A second or “back-up” sump pump

A back-up sump pump in the pit ensures water is continuously draining even when the original sump pump fails. It provides homeowners time to fix the issue without worrying about flooding.

Connect an alarm system to your sump pump

An alarm system is critical to notify you about any sump pump failure. The system, when triggered, will send a notification of any potential danger. The alarm system can be as simple as a bell going off near the sump pit or installed as an app on any smartphone with access to the internet.

Routine testing by a certified plumber

Preventative maintenance can go a long way in making sure your sump pump is in good working condition. Getting your sump pump routinely tested by a certified plumber will ensure your system is functioning at peak performance. It will also guarantee that there are no underlying issues.

The importance of a sump pump within your home provides a sense of security and peace of mind knowing that water levels are regulated, and your home is safe from flooding.