Sump pumps and battery backups

Signs you need a pump, or a new one

If water rises up through the floor or along the walls after rain, a sump system gives it somewhere to go. If you already have a pump, watch for one that runs constantly, turns on and off rapidly, hums without moving water, rattles, or shows rust and corrosion. Pour a bucket of water into the pit every few months. If the float does not lift and start the pump, call for service before the next storm.

What goes into a good installation

The pit should sit at a low point and be lined, with gravel around the liner so water flows in. The pump should match the inflow, with a float that has room to move freely. A check valve keeps water in the discharge pipe from falling back. The discharge line should leave the house above grade and end well away from the foundation, on ground that slopes away. On a hillside, the contractor should send it downhill, not toward a neighbor's yard or back toward your own house.

• Lined pit with a sealed, gasketed lid
• Pump sized to the inflow
• Check valve and shutoff on the discharge
• Discharge outlet well away from the foundation
• Dedicated, grounded outlet
• Battery backup and high-water alarm

Backups for storm season

Big rainstorms and wind often bring down power lines, especially on the tree-lined, hilly roads of northern Westchester. A pump without power is a pit filling with water. A battery backup pump sits in the same pit and runs when the main pump stops or cannot keep up. Water-powered backups exist too, using household water pressure, though they depend on your water supply. A high-water alarm, even a simple battery one, warns you before the basement floods. A standby generator is another option, but generators involve fuel and electrical work that must be done by licensed trades.

Discharge rules

Many municipalities do not allow sump pumps to drain into the sanitary sewer, because clean groundwater overloads the treatment system. Discharging onto the street or a neighbor's property can also break local rules. Ask your contractor where the water will go and whether a permit is needed.

Pump choices

Submersible pumps sit in the pit and run quietly. Pedestal pumps keep the motor above the pit, which is easier to service but louder. Cast iron housings shed heat well under heavy use. Ask the contractor which they recommend for your inflow and why.

Typical sump pump costs

Published national figures. Not quotes.

National figures, rounded, not quotes. Your price depends on whether there is a pit, pump type, discharge length and electrical work.

Sources: Fixr, sump pump installation; This Old House, basement waterproofing cost