Tag Archives: how to protect my home from flooding

The Truth About Sump Pump Backup Systems: Protect Your Home from Flooding

The Truth About Sump Pump Backup Systems

A sump pump is one of the most convenient flood protection measures in your home because sump pumps literally run themselves, explains TE Johnson & Sons Management. If a sump pump is installed correctly, it does not need your direct intervention to remove any floodwater that enters your basement.

That’s because the sump pump will power up automatically when it detects water in the basement and also power down after the water has been removed. This feature allows you to sleep, travel, and go to work without fear that your basement will be flooded in your absence.

That is by far one of the best things about a sump pump. But this advantage is also a sump pump’s biggest weakness. Because since it operates itself, how do you know when your sump pump stops working? A sump pump can fail while you comfortably assume it is working.

This problem is one of the major causes of flooding in homes where the homeowner has a sump pump to protect their home from flooding. In other words, the sump fails to fix the problem it was designed to solve. How do you deal with this?

Before answering this question, it is essential to explain why sump pump failures happen.

Common causes of sump pump failure

A stuck switch

If the float switch is jammed, the sump pump will not come on, or if it comes on, it will not go off. Both scenarios present significant problems.

Power outage

During heavy storms, when the likelihood of flooding is highest and sump pumps are needed the most, a power outage can cut the electricity supply to your sump pump.

Mechanical problems

Faults like a jammed or bent impeller can interfere with the function of the sump pump. If the impeller is faulty, the sump pump will not pump water.

Clogs and blockages

Debris can stop a sump pump from working, whether it is blocking the float switch, sump inlet, discharge pipe, or sump pump motor.

Sump pump overload

There are several reasons why sump pumps overload – a faulty float switch, a clogged discharge line, an undersized sump pump, and an oversized sump pit.

How to prevent sump pump failure in your home

Firstly, the home’s needs must be properly assessed before installing a pump system. You want to get accurate data on the average volume of water that enters your basement. This information will guide you when deciding on the size of the sump pump and sump basin for your home.

Secondly, you need a program of periodic inspections and routine maintenance to ensure the sump pump is in good condition. Test your sump pump at specific times of the year to ensure the system is working. Get a professional to do routine maintenance.

Lastly, you need a backup sump pump. The two steps above do not address power outages in your home. Even if your sump pump is fine, it will not matter if the power supply is cut off. But in those circumstances, a backup sump pump installation can protect your home from flooding.

a backup sump pump system

The backup sump pump should be able to handle the volume of water that typically flows into your basement during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt.

How does a backup sump pump work?

A backup sump pump activates when the primary sump pump in the home fails. Since a backup sump pump does not rely on electricity (at least, not electricity from the grid), it can take the place of the primary sump pump until power is restored to the home.

There are two main types of backup sump pumps: battery-powered and water-powered backup sump pumps. Water-powered backup sump pumps depend on water pressure from the municipal supply. That makes them a less reliable option than battery-powered backup sump pumps.

What do you need to know when buying a battery-powered backup sump pump?

Battery capacity

How many hours can the sump pump battery last? Depending on the severity of the problems, a power outage in your home can last an entire day. The battery for your backup sump pump should last up to 48 hours. It is better if it can last longer.

The sump pump capacity

The backup sump pump should be able to handle the volume of water that typically flows into your basement during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt. Ideally, your backup sump pump should be able to pump as much water as your primary sump pump.

A backup float switch

The float switch controls the entire operation of your sump pump. Your backup sump pump will usually come with its float switch. But you may want to install an additional float switch to the existing setup as an extra layer of protection.

A reliable water alarm

A separate water alarm for your backup sump pump will notify you if anything goes wrong with the backup system. This notification will usually come before a situation arises where you will need the protection of the backup sump pump.

Finally, you need a trustworthy plumber with expertise in sump pump replacement and maintenance. A good plumber ensures that your primary and backup sump pumps meet the requirements of your home and the systems are in good working order at all times.

7 Ways to Better Protect Your Home Against Flood Damage

7 Ways to Better Protect Your Home Against Flood Damage

Water damage is the most common and devastating problem that American homeowners face. In 2023 alone, every single day, there were around 14,000 reported cases of water damage in homes, with the average insurance claim for each one standing at $11,605.

A significant number of these events were caused by flooding, which is a huge problem. Up to 99% of all US counties experienced flooding in some years. 98% of US homes are also expected to suffer water damage due to basement flooding at least once.

These statistics show us that flooding is a major problem for US homeowners, and almost no home is exempt from this risk. That is because flooding incidents in the property are not always caused by rain but also by the home’s plumbing, faucets, sprinkler systems and leaky pipes.

In other words, according to the Ratner Property Management team, your home does not have to be in a flood-prone area to experience flood damage. Furthermore, climate change is causing such monumental shifts in weather patterns that we are seeing massive natural disasters, like flooding, in areas where they didn’t use to happen.

What can you do to protect your home from water damage caused by flooding? This post will explain seven effective steps for flood-proofing your home. Following these tips will help you avoid the huge burden that flooding incidents can place on your finances.

a french drain installation is a good way to prevent flooding in your home.

If water consistently pools in one part of your yard and you have tried to solve the issue by grading the land, you may need to install a French drain.

7 ways to protect your home from flood damage

Assess your level of flood risk

Homes in areas with high flood risk need more flood protection measures than those in low-risk areas. High-flood risk locations typically include low-lying areas, flood plains, and homes close to a water body. To know your home’s level of exposure, check your area’s flood map; you can access it for free on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. The rest of the steps in this post depend on the result of your research.

Keep downspouts and gutters clear

Poorly maintained drains and gutters increase your home’s exposure to the risk of flooding. If gutters and downspouts are discharging water on the walls of your building or near the base of the house, there is a chance that some of that water will find its way into your home. To prevent this, it is essential to keep gutters and downspouts free of debris and ensure they are not in a state of disrepair.

Fix grading issues in your yard

The grade determines the direction in which water will flow in your yard when it rains. You have grading issues if water flows toward your house instead of away from it. This problem can cause a water pool at the base of your building. Some of that water will penetrate the basement. To solve the problem, look for low-lying areas or depressions around your yard and fill them with soil.

Maximize drainage with a French drain

If water consistently pools in one part of your yard and you have tried to solve the issue by grading the land, you may need to install a French drain. A French drain is an underground channel for solving drainage problems in land prone to waterlogging. The great thing about French drains is the system is underground, and the aesthetics of your yard are not impaired.

Create a flood barrier

Flood barriers are designed to stop or slow the advance of floodwaters. There are many types of flood barriers, berm, sandbags, etc. The advantage of sandbags is they are easier to make. You can remove them when not needed. A berm, on the other hand, takes time to construct and is permanent. The advantage of a berm is it can be designed as part of your landscaping to protect your home and improve its aesthetics.

Create a swale or dry pond

A swale is an open channel with gently sloping sides that is used to capture water and direct it away from a home. Swales often have grass growing inside them to prevent erosion and make water penetrating the soil easier. A dry pond, on the other hand, is a large depression that is used to collect and hold water on a property. It acts as a reservoir for runoff water.

Install a sump pump

You need a sump pump even if your home’s flood risk is minimal. A sump pump is your home’s last defense against flood damage. The sump pump will protect your home if a flood happens despite your flood-protection measures. But to get the maximum benefit from a sump pump, you must maintain it regularly. It is also vital to have a sump pump backup battery system installed.

To conclude, before deciding on which flood-protection measure to adopt, it is essential that you talk to an expert. Flood protection measures can be expensive, so you want to be sure that whichever option you choose is the best for your home.