For anyone who has a basement with a sump pump system, purchasing a battery backup is a wise decision. Having a battery backup can help ensure that your pump remains functional even when the power goes out.
As is true of any purchase, however, there are many factors to consider when buying a sump pump battery backup. Among those factors, price is one of the most important to many homeowners. In this post, we’ll reveal the average cost of one of these battery backups and share some other important information about them.
Average Cost of a Battery Backup
The specific cost of a sump pump battery backup will vary depending on the make and model you are considering and the features it comes with. With that said, most battery backups will cost between $800 and $1600, with the average cost falling around $1200.
Learning that battery backups for sump pumps can cost over $1,000 causes many homeowners to wonder whether they are truly worth it. After all, a battery backup is not something your pump system relies on during regular use. But as the rest of this article will show, battery backups offer distinct benefits that often make them well worth their upfront price.
Purpose of a Sump Pump Battery Backup
To understand the crucial role of a sump pump battery backup, it helps to first have an idea of how sump pumps work on a basic level. Typically, sump pumps collect excess groundwater around your foundation, storing it in a reservoir called a “sump pit.” The system then pumps the water from the pit up a pipe that leads out of your home.
When a system like this runs smoothly, it will be incredibly effective at keeping water out of your basement. However, there are many ways in which a sump pump system can fail.
For example, all sump pumps require some form of power supply. Typically, these pumps will depend on your home’s electricity. The issue is that if your power goes out, your pump won’t work, which could lead to basement flooding.
These scenarios are the perfect example of how useful a sump pump battery backup can be. If you have a battery backup in place, it will provide your pump with hours of additional operating time–even if your power goes out or there is a malfunction in your normal power supply system. Keeping your pump running during these times lessens the risk of flooding and overall water damage.
Who Needs Sump Pumps the Most?
A sump pump can be a helpful component of any home’s basement drainage system. Still, there are some homeowners who tend to be in greater need of a sump pump than others. For any homeowners who experience regular basement flooding, a sump pump becomes a necessity. Having a basement that is prone to flooding can happen for a multitude of reasons.
For example, homeowners who live near a large body of water often experience more basement flooding than those who do not. Similarly, if your home sits at the base of a slope that produces significant stormwater runoff, there is also a greater chance that you’ll end up with water in or around your basement.
Lastly, anyone who has experienced damage to their foundation will likely need a sump pump as well. When a basement wall experiences a significant crack, it can begin to allow water to seep in through that opening. In fact, even if your basement walls don’t crack, the porous nature of concrete can allow water to seep through when enough hydrostatic pressure builds up on the outside.
As such, there are many ways that water can get into your basement. Whether you are dealing with this issue or not, it is best to have a dependable drainage system in place. Many of the most complete basement drainage systems include both sump pumps and battery backups to keep them running even when the power goes out.
Why It’s Important to Have a Battery Backup for Your Sump Pump
Before we conclude this article, let’s discuss some of the negative outcomes that can arise when your sump pump power supply fails. By understanding the damage that can result from this occurrence, you’ll have a stronger understanding of just how important battery backups can be.
Regardless of cause, when your pump fails, it’s likely that water will continue to fill the sump pit until it reaches capacity and overflows. When this happens, water will begin to fill your basement, resulting in several detrimental effects.
For instance, water in your basement can quickly cause water damage to your stored belongings, as well as any rugs or furniture you have in that area. Basement flooding also encourages the growth of mold and mildew, which is harmful to your health.
To avoid these problems, it is vital to keep your basement drainage system functional at all times. If that system includes a sump pump, then buying a sump pump battery backup is crucial to achieving that goal.
Other Methods for Managing Basement Moisture
Other foundation services can also help prevent moisture and the damage it can cause from affecting your home. For example, basement waterproofing can create a complete seal between your basement and the water outside. Other measures such as dehumidification allow you to set the ideal relative humidity in your basement.
Understanding the details of different drainage systems and whether or not they will be helpful to you is not something the average homeowner can do on their own. With that in mind, it’s always best to seek the help of an experienced professional for all your basement drainage needs.
Learn More from an Expert
If you are struggling with moisture or standing water in your basement, it’s time to take action to resolve the source of this problem. At HydroHelp911, we are prepared to serve anyone in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas with top-of-the-line foundation services, including waterproofing, structural repairs, drainage systems, and much more. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you!
