Anyone have a sump pump backup?

[Minnie824]

We're planning on finishing our basement up soon, and need to get a backup for our sump pump. There are 2 kinds we've narrowed it down to and I was wondering if anyone had either one.
1. Basement watchdog - seems less expensive but harder to install
2. Sump pro - easy to install, but more expensive, but recommended by our plumber.

Note that we've not planning on moving so we're thinking the Sump pro may be worth the extra money. Anyone know anything about these? Thanks!

 

[Micca]

I thought a sump pump was a backup

 

[loisg1]

Not if your power goes out or something gets stuck in the pump!! One year almost to the day we purchased our home the basement flooded... never had any problem before. Had a sump pump installed and the builder had used the sump pit to throw trash in... not a lot, mind you, but enough that the pump clogged and part of the basement flooded. Yes, we have a backup for it, but I'm not sure that DH has installed it...

Also, if the one pump can't keep up with the amount of water coming in, you may need the other one for that reason or else a separate sump pit installed in another area of your basement.

We also have a gas powered generator in case the power goes out. It has enough power that the sump pump would be able to run off of the generator.

Good luck!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hmmm. I have never heard of a back up to a sump pump! Does your electric go out alot?

What is the difference between the two & the cost?

 

[Mskanga]

Some of them come with battery packs for backup. My friend has two pumps and a generator in case the power fails , but never had to use it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have the Basement Watchdog, BWD model. Excellent. Also a portable generator.

http://www.basementwatchdog.com/acdc.htm

 

[Nancy]

we have had the worst luck with our basement. I wish I had a backup the day the plug losened just enough to cut the power. I went down in the morning to about 6 inches of backup in my basement.....YUCK. Lots of cleanup and smelly stuff. We live in an area with a high water table...I would never take a chance and finish my basement....in 17 years we have been flooded 5 times.

 

[jbthi]

In our area, the main backup pump that is used is the Ace-in-the-Hole. It takes a marine battery. The only problem people seem to have with it, they don't remember to change the battery every two years or so.