Northeast Ohio basements take a beating. Spring thaws, heavy rain and summer storms all push water toward your foundation, and your sump pump is the last line of defense. The catch: the storms that raise the water table are often the same storms that knock out the power. That’s where a battery backup sump pump comes in.
How a Battery Backup Sump Pump Works
A battery backup is a second pump installed in the same pit as your main pump, with its own float switch and a battery. If the power goes out, the main pump fails, or water comes in faster than the main pump can handle, the backup turns on automatically. Most systems also include an alarm so you know when it’s running or when the battery needs attention.
Who Should Have One
- You have a finished basement, or valuables stored downstairs
- Your basement has taken on water before
- Your sump pump runs often during rain or snowmelt
- Your neighborhood tends to lose power during storms
- You travel and the house sits empty for days at a time
Other Backup Options
- Water-powered backup pumps use your home’s municipal water pressure instead of a battery. They need city water, so they aren’t an option for homes on a well.
- A generator can keep your main pump running during an outage, as long as someone is home to run it.
For most homes, a battery backup is the simplest hands-off option.
How Long Do Sump Pumps and Backup Batteries Last?
A primary sump pump typically lasts around 7 to 10 years. Backup batteries wear out sooner, often within 3 to 5 years, depending on the type and how often they’re used. How long a backup can run on one charge depends on the battery and how much water is coming in, so think of it as protection to carry you through an outage, not a replacement for a healthy main pump.
Why Is My Battery Backup Beeping?
Beeping usually means the system needs attention: the battery is low or near the end of its life, the main pump has lost power, or the water level is high. Check the control panel first. If the alarm keeps going, have the system looked at before the next storm.
Test Your System Before Spring
- Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the main pump turns on and empties it.
- Unplug the main pump and repeat to confirm the backup kicks in, then plug the main pump back in.
- Check the battery’s age and connections.
- Make sure the discharge line outside is clear and directs water away from the house.
Signs Your Sump Pump Needs Replacement
- It runs constantly, or turns on and off rapidly
- It makes grinding or rattling noises
- You see rust or corrosion on the pump
- It didn’t run during the last heavy rain
- It’s 7 to 10 years old or more
Get Your Basement Ready With Dee’s
Dee’s Heating & Cooling repairs and installs sump pumps, including battery-backup systems, across Wadsworth, Medina, Cuyahoga Falls, Canton and surrounding areas. Call (330) 554-7015 to have your system checked before the spring thaw.
Battery Backup Sump Pump FAQs
Is a battery backup sump pump worth it?
If a wet basement would be costly or disruptive, usually yes. It protects your basement during power outages and if the main pump fails.
How long will a battery backup sump pump run?
It depends on the size of the battery and how much water is coming in. Light pumping stretches a charge much further than a heavy storm does.
How often should a sump pump be replaced?
Plan on roughly every 7 to 10 years, sooner if it runs heavily or shows the warning signs above.