You could bury the lines deeper underground or use hay and a tarp on exposed pipes. One of the best ways to prevent the discharge lines from freezing is by using a lot of insulation on the outdoor sections of the pipes. The one thing that you do need to keep an eye out for is the discharge pipe freezing.

When the temperature starts to drop below freezing, the sump pump itself should be pretty safe. How Can I Protect My Sump Pump in the Winter? If a hose is not ideal you can also use a plumbing snake to clear out any debris. Use a high-pressure water hose to force any debris out of the pipe.Running the test should flush out any debris from the pipe but if you notice that the pump is running and no water is coming out of the pipe, you may need a little extra help. Once the pump is running, go outside and make sure that the water is being pumped away from the house. Fill the pit with a bucket of water or enough so the float reaches the sensor to switch the pump on. If something is blocking the float the pump will not work correctly. Make sure that the float is resting on the top of the water and moves freely. Pull the pump out and check that the inlet screen is clear of any debris so water flows freely into the pump. If any debris is in the water, remove it. Remove any debris in the pit and screen.If the water inside looks like there's oil resting on top, your pump's motor may need to be serviced. Take the cover off of the sump pump pit and look inside. It's best to do this in early spring to prepare for spring storms.Īlways unplug your sump pump before the inspection. Maintaining your sump pump is easy and an annual checkup is recommended to ensure it's properly functioning at all times. Take a look at the Basement Watchdog selection of batteries and systems available at Batteries Plus. Including a battery, 24/7 system monitoring and even alerts when the system recognizes that the battery requires attention. If you purchase a complete pump system from The Basement Watchdog like the Basement Watchdog Big Combo CONNECT you will be getting everything you need to get pumping. AGM batteries typically have a longer life than traditional flooded batteries.AGM batteries can power a sump pump intermittently for days without a recharge.AGM batteries last longer in standby operations than flooded batteries.You do not need to routinely add fluid or water to the cells. Some benefits of using AGM batteries for your sump pump are: That is why AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries are the battery of choice for sump pumps. It is best to use a battery that can handle the exposure to more vibrations and one that requires little maintenance. What Battery Should I Use for My Sump Pump Backup?

Sump pumps are designed to pump water away from your basement before it floods. If your home was built on a concrete slab like many homes in the south then odds are there is no sump pump, and really no need for one. Do I Need A Sump Pump If I Don't Have A Basement? Having that extra layer of security will help the sump pump keep your basement dry even if you are in the middle of a powerful storm and have no power.

This is why it is so important to have a sump pump battery backup. However, if you lose power, that is when you are at the highest risk of flooding because your sump pump will not operate.

Sumps will continue to operate as long as you have power. American Family Insurance has a very helpful article that walks you through the basics of sump pumps and their maintenance, check it out! In very basic terms, sump pumps have pits that collect water, once the water level reaches a certain point the pump automatically turns on and pumps the water out of the pit, through a pipe, and away from the foundation of the home into the yard. Sump pumps are typically located at the lowest point in the house and the location is specifically chosen to prevent flooding after heavy rainfall and severe weather. In the event of a power outage, a sump pump battery can provide backup power to keep your pump running and your home dry. A sump pump, if your home has one, is an important piece of equipment that helps keep your basement dry but it is also prone to flooding.

24 volt battery backup sump pump