Resources & Articles

Water Back-Up Sump Pumps vs. Battery Back-Up Sump Pumps

Every home with a sump pump should have a reliable backup sump pump system for peace of mind. In the event of a power disruption or primary pump/level control failure, it will assume the role of the primary pump, allowing time for the power to be restored or the primary pump to be repaired or replaced. But what kind of backup sump pump is best for you? Here we compare the two most common backup sump pumps: water and battery.

Water Backup Sump Pump

water-driven sump pumps require no battery and need no electrical power. Instead, they use a home's water pressure from incoming city water to create suction which pumps water out of the sump pit. Water backup sump pumps can run indefinitely, as long as there is city water pressure coming to your home. The homeowner no longer has to worry about power outages lasting longer than their battery-powered pump's battery life. The water-powered backup sump pump system does not use any water until the primary system malfunctions or in the case of a power failure. Waters Basement Services, Inc.'s choice would be to use a Liberty Sump Jet Water Powered Back-up Pump.

Features
Adjustable Stainless Hose Clamp for Easy Mounting
Removes 2 Gallons of Water for Each 1 Gallon Used. (based on 5' lift)
Fully Assembled, Compact Design
Built-in Screen with Removable Foot Valve
Constructed of Durable PVC
3 Year Warranty

We believe the best possible combination for protecting your home is a regular electric-powered sump pump and a water-powered sump pump working together to keep your basement dry and your valuables and furnishings free from damage.

Battery Backup Sump Pump

Battery backup sump pumps are an option for rural areas because there is no municipal water supply available (city water) which is necessary for a water backup sump pump. A battery backup sump pump is a separate sump pump system that is installed adjacent to your primary electric pump in the sump basin. The typical sump pump runs on 12 volts or 24 volt DC battery power. The battery backup sump pump has its own float switch so that when the water rises in the sump, it raises the float and the backup pump is activated. In the event of a power disruption or primary pump/level control failure, it will assume the role of the primary pump allowing time for the power to be restored or the primary pump to be repaired or replaced. Waters Basement Services, Inc.'s choice would be to use a Liberty Emergency Sump Pump System with a 12V Battery.

Features
Advanced 5-Stage Charging System
Time-Dependent Charging
Reverse Battery and Short Circuit Protection
Audible Alarm In-Use Alarm and Light
Works with Marine-Type Deep-Cycle Batteries (not included with system) Type M27 Recommended
Easy Wiring with Slip-on Connectors and Terminal Block
Fully Assembled Float Switch
3 Year Warranty

Note: Frequency of pump cycle, length of running time, and pumping head pressure will vary the lifetime of battery operation. Under a continuous-run situation, the battery will last up to 4 hours and up to 30 hours in intermittent operation.

Waters Basement Services, Inc. believes that, while a battery backup sump pump is an option for a rural area, the homeowner might want to consider having a Generac installed (or a portable generator on hand) to maintain constant electricity - as a battery backup can only be sustained for a limited number of hours.