While out showing a property today to an investor friend he remarked that with the recent flooding and high water in the area he'd had water in his basement and a lot of damage as a result. It wasn't just the high water table however, it was the fact that the power went out and that his sump pumps did not have battery back-ups. As important as having the pump is having a back up system.
Almost every home built in the last 10-15 years will have a sump pump installed. However, few new homes come with a back up system. For tips on installing them click here. It's up to the owner to install the system when they purchase a home that has a sump.
The back up system consists of a deep cycle battery and a charging system. Prices range from around $100 to over $400.The difference is in the size and amperage of the battery and how long they can power the system if there is an outage. The time varies from around 4 to 14 hours of backup. If your outgage is for longer you would need a secondary charging system such as a generator.
It's important also to check the operation of both the pump and the backup throught the year. Occaisionally lift the lid of the pit and fill up the sump with water and see if it operates. You can also unplug the sump from the float switch and plug it in directly. You should hear a hum if it's operable.
If you don't have a back up system installed you owe it to yourself to look into putting one in. The expense involved is minor compared to the damage that can result from a power outage that occurs when there is a high water table.
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