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Take it from an Apollo plumber – if you have a basement or live anywhere near a floodplain, it’s best to have a sump pump and a backup sump pump. Flooding can happen unexpectedly and in neighborhoods previously spared.

To review, sump pumps are installed in the lowest area of a basement or crawlspace. They keep the building dry by pumping water out. As water from rain or melting snow flows into the pit via natural water migration through soil or drains, the pump activates.

Plumber Tip – Pros and Cons of Battery-Powered Sump Pumps

There’s nothing complicated about a battery-powered device. It’s traditional. Everyone understands it. Benefits of a battery-powered backup sump pump include simplicity of installation. Most use the same discharge pipe as the primary sump pump, so installation is fairly straightforward. We recommend you employ the services of a plumber because often a manufacturer’s warranty is connected to installation from an authorized dealer.

Second, battery backup sump pumps can be powerful, pumping 3000 gallons per hour at 10 feet of lift. Third, they’re versatile. Most homes qualify to use them.

Drawbacks include run time and overall battery life. Its runtime is limited because if the battery cannot recharge, it will die at some point. What if the ground is already saturated and you have another storm system on top of you? Water can accumulate quickly and push the sump pump to its limit. Even a little bit of standing water can cause tremendous damage.

Based on an average replacement of three to five years, the batteries must be monitored and tested often to ensure protection.

For some homeowners, this may not be a big deal, but for others, it may be cumbersome. It may even be impractical, for example, in a vacation home to monitor it with consistency.  

Plumber Tip – Pros and Cons of Water-Powered Sump Pumps

Water-powered sump pumps operate as they run water at a high speed through a pipe to generate suction. The suction empties the sump pit. Benefits include a potentially unlimited runtime.

As long as water is available, your pump will run driven by the municipal water pressure. For power outages which last more than a day or two, this could mean the difference between a secure and a wrecked basement. Secondly, you are relieved from worry about a battery’s status.

Drawbacks include a limit on use. Homes on well water are prevented from use because a power outage shuts off the well pump. A water-powered sump pump has specific plumbing requirements.

Ask a plumber from Apollo Home to evaluate your system to determine if your home meets the criteria. Also, because it requires more involved installation, it’s recommended a professional plumber handle it.

Having professional installation is not a drawback of course. We believe the peace of mind a homeowner receives from an Apollo Home plumber is a valuable benefit.

For instance, because water-powered pumps connect to your home’s water supply, they must be installed to prevent backflow of sump pump pit water into the town’s clean water source.

Trust an Apollo Home Plumber for Sump Pump Needs

Extend the life of your home mechanicals with a preventative maintenance plan, like the Apollo Care Plan. In addition to an annual evaluation of your plumbing and electrical systems, it includes two heating and cooling tune-ups.  

Over the last 100 years in Cincinnati, we’ve learned a lot and can use it to help you. At Apollo Home, we’re eager to share our expertise to keep you and your family safe and comfortable.

Our friendly plumbing professionals are licensed, industry-certified, and insured. They also pass multiple background checks for your peace of mind. Finally, as part of our commitment to professional development, each plumber receives paid continuing education.

This helps them to stay current with all brands and emerging technologies. They are happy to answer questions about plumbing services and how to care for sump pumps. Need an HVAC technician or an electrician? We can help there, too!

Don’t wait for the next hard rain – call Apollo Home for a plumber today!