Have you ever had a tsunami in your basement? OK, how about a flood? I have and it sucks!
That's why I did some research to discover how to avoid this nightmare in the future. I found some products that will probably cost less than your home or renter's insurance deductible and save you the aggravation of a very messy clean-up. My insurance did not cover flooding and most policies don't unless you have additional coverage.
Alarm to Warn of Sump Pump Failure
The first and cheapest thing you can do is invest $20 in a water detection alarm. If your sump pump should fail, the alarm will warn you before your basement floods. Besides monitoring your sump pump, this 3-pack of alarms* can also be used in your laundry room in case your washer hose breaks or disconnects from your washer. Also use one in your bathroom to detect a toilet or bathtub overflow.
If you purchase this 3-pack of alarms* through my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/312Qa64,* I'll send you a list of tips to get the most out of these alarms. Just contact me here with a copy of your Amazon receipt.
Protect Your Home With a Battery Backup Sump Pump
If you've ever lost power to your home and your sump pump stopped running; you know the extreme anxiety you felt as the water crept close to overflowing into your basement. The formula for disaster is simple: No Power + Non-Functioning Pump = “Floodsville”
A battery backup sump pump can be installed alongside your existing sump pump in the sump pit if there's enough room. You'll have to measure your sump pit to determine that. If power goes out, the battery backup sump pump kicks on to keep your basement from flooding.
If you don't own a battery backup sump pump, visit https://amzn.to/33f4aw9* and scroll down the page to see your choices. I bought the Basement Watchdog BWSP battery backup sump pump* because I wanted to be sure it could handle a prolonged, heavy rainstorm.
If you're on a budget and don't experience that kind of rain, you might be able to get by with the Basement Watchdog BWE battery backup sump pump.*
Be sure to order a rechargeable, 12-volt deep cycle battery to go with it. Here's an Amazon search for those batteries: https://amzn.to/2DrfSJ6.* Make sure you select the battery that fits your sump pump. Oh, and don't forget to buy the battery acid that needs to be added to the battery!
Here's an excellent video showing how to install a Basement Watchdog battery backup sump pump.
The instructions that come with the sump pump are well written with good illustrations. If you're not confident in your ability to do it yourself – any experienced plumber can do it for you.
If you purchase the Basement Watchdog BWSP battery backup sump pump* or the Basement Watchdog BWE battery backup sump pump* through my affiliate link, I'll send you my guide, Quick and Easy Ways to Test a Battery Backup Sump Pump. Just contact me here with a copy of your Amazon receipt.
If Your Sump Stops Working – You Might Only Have to Replace a Dead Float Switch!
Sometimes, a sump pump may still be good although it doesn't seem to be working. Often, it's a dead float switch that prevents the sump pump from activating. It's far cheaper and easier to replace a dead float switch with a third-party switch than to replace the entire sump pump.
So what the heck is a float switch?! Simply put, the float switch rests at the bottom of your sump pit and rises when water enters the pit. When the water reaches a certain level, it causes the float to activate the pump and push out the water.
Unfortunately, many float switch designs don't work well in small sump pits. They get stuck against the pump or wedged between the pump and the sump pit wall. Many floats are hollow and eventually fill up with water so they won't rise when the water level rises, thus, not triggering the pump.
Here's an excellent review of float switches with sump pump expert, Barry Schilling covering which float switches are most dependable and which ones to avoid.
Although Barry doesn't name the Basement Watchdog float switch* shown at 1:57 in the video, he states that this particular design is the most reliable.
Below, is an illustration comparing some of the float switches that Barry covers. Notice the difference between the Basement Watchdog Model BWC1 Universal Replacement Switch* and the others?
Based on Barry's video, I recommend the Basement Watchdog Model BWC1 Universal Replacement Sump Pump Float Switch*: https://amzn.to/33cH6hH.*
The float switch can be replaced in three simple steps:
1) Attach the float switch to the water discharge pipe with the included hose clamp above the bottom of the pump.
2) Plug the control box into a properly grounded, 3-prong receptacle, then insert the sump pump plug into the receptacle on the control box.
3) Check the pump operation by filling the sump with water and observing the pump through several full cycles. (See the full installation instructions with illustrations here.
* Note, this is an affiliate link so I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase by using it. By doing so, you help support my efforts of creating helpful content like this and I thank you!
Have you experienced a flooded basement due to sump pump failure? What did you do to protect yourself from future flooding? Please share your comments and suggestions in the comments section, below.
