Your sump pump system is your main line of defense against indoor flooding, but only if it is working. If you have a finished basement or if you are storing valuables in an unfinished basement, you should take steps to check your sump pump system.
To be well protected against the devastating financial losses associated with indoor flooding, you need to do the following:
- Test your sump pump now, before the torrential rains and power outages do it for you.
- Invest in a battery backup sump pump if you don’t already have one.
How Do I Know If My Sump Pump Is Working?
Sump pumps get a real workout during the rainy season, and they can stop working at any time. But, sitting idle without regular use can also cause them to fail. You should test your sump pump frequently by taking these easy steps:
Step 1: Test the Pump
Fill the pump pit with water and watch to see if the pump activates. If it doesn’t, and you know you have power to the outlet, then the pump needs to be replaced.
Step 2: Watch the Drain
Watch the pump drain water out of its basin. Make sure there are no leaks in the discharge pipe. Go outside to ensure that water is draining where it is supposed to.
Step 3: Test the Shut-Off
Stay until the pump turns off so you know its shut-off feature is working properly. A pump that won’t shut off will eventually overheat and may stop functioning altogether. If the pump does not shut off automatically, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
If My Sump Pump Is Working, Do I Still Need a Battery Backup Sump Pump?
In order to fully defend against indoor flood damage, you need a backup battery sump pump in addition to your regular sump pump. Sump pumps can fail at any time, and they do not warn you ahead of time when this happens.
A secondary backup pump will provide just that—a second chance at stopping the flood if the primary pump fails. In the Midwest, electrical outages are common during the stormy seasons. Battery backup sump pumps work whether or not the electricity has been lost due to storm activity.
A battery backup sump pump will also pump along with your primary pump when there is more water than your primary pump can handle. A backup pump will typically handle 1,000 to 2,200 gallons per hour. It also has a maintenance alarm to notify you when service is needed.
How Do I Test My Backup Sump Pump?
A battery backup sump pump should be tested in the same way as your regular pump. With the primary sump pump unplugged, run through steps two and three above and make sure the pump drains the water and shuts off.
During the testing process, keep an eye on the battery indicator light. If it remains green, it is a good indication that your battery is strong. Fortunately, battery backup sump pumps have alarms that alert homeowners when the battery is nearing the end of its life.
Does the Battery in My Backup Sump Pump Require Maintenance?
Maintenance-free batteries are aptly named and shouldn’t need maintenance as long as they are being charged.
However, other backup sump pump batteries are not maintenance-free. These batteries need to have the water levels checked in their cells every six months. The batteries used for this application are special standby batteries and not car batteries or deep-cycle marine batteries. Standby sump pump batteries last approximately five years.
How Do I Stop My Backup Battery Sump Pump Alarm From Going Off?
A backup battery sump pump alarm can be annoying, but they tell you that something is wrong with your battery. Sometimes, if the power temporarily goes out, the battery alarm will beep until power is restored. In this case, many batteries have a reset button for the alarm to sleep for 24 hours and check again for power.
The four most common maintenance reasons for your backup battery alarm going off are:
- Loose Wire Connections
- Incorrect Water Levels in Battery Cells
- Dying or Dead Battery
- Bad Circuit Board
Check Loose Wires
First, check that all the wire connections are secured. Red (positive) wires should go to the positive terminal, and blue (negative) wires should go to the negative terminal. If loose wiring is the problem, tightening them should stop your sump pump battery from beeping.
Fill the Battery Cells With Water
If your battery has removable caps on the top of its cells, then you will need to keep the water level up. Only use distilled water and fill the cells up to the fill line. If your backup battery is beeping at you for maintenance, refilling the water should fix the problem and stop the beeping.
Check for Low Power
If your battery has low power, there are a few things you can check before replacing it.
- First, make sure the terminals aren’t corroded. This is just like when a car battery corrodes. Clean off the battery terminals and see if full power is restored.
- Check the Power Connection
If the terminals are fine, it may be that the battery simply isn’t receiving enough power. Check the battery’s trickle charger, the electrical outlet, fuse, and circuit breaker to ensure nothing is wrong with the power source. Try resetting the circuit breaker or use a different outlet.
- Test the Floating Voltage
Next, test the floating voltage between the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Using a multimeter, when the battery’s trickle charge is plugged into the battery, for a 12-volt battery, the voltage should hover around 13.5 volts. If it is below 13.5 volts, then there is a problem with your trickle charger.
Unplug the battery, wait a few minutes, and then check the voltage again. It should be between 12.3 and 13.2 volts; if it is less than that, then your battery is not holding a full charge and should be replaced.
Check for a Bad Circuit Board
If the circuit board goes bad, there is little to be done but to replace the battery. If the battery is relatively new, it may still be under warranty.
If none of these maintenance tips work, replacing your battery is probably the only way to stop the backup battery maintenance alarm from sounding. Get a professional plumber out to check on your sump pump to be certain.
How Often Should I Replace My Sump Pump?
The average sump pump lasts for about seven to nine years. You should replace or repair the pump if it fails any of the tests above.
Here are some warning signs that your sump pump might be failing:
- Makes strange noises
- Vibrates excessively
- Infrequent pump usage
- Runs all the time
- Irregular cycling
- Visible rust
- Seven years or older
- Motor sometimes gets stuck
- Motor failure
- Installed by the builder
- Frequent power outages
Check Homeowner’s Insurance
Not all insurance adequately covers damaged valuables or the costly repairs necessary to undo water damage and the mold growth that occurs afterward. Flood insurance riders may not cover damage caused by malfunctioning sump pumps unless you have a sump pump rider, and it still may not cover sump pump failures unless you can prove regular maintenance was done on the unit.
A qualified plumbing professional can best assess whether a sump pump system needs to be repaired or replaced and when, and our plumbers are trained to do just that. We offer sump pump repairs, replacement, and maintenance services in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Anthony stocks both sump pumps and battery backup sump pumps on all trucks to be available whenever you need them. Contact us today.