If your sump pump only uses electricity from your house, a power outage could shut it down completely. In other words, your dry basement could quickly turn into a soggy mess. Below, this backup sump pump installer in Northbrook, Illinois is going to explain what really happens when your main pump stops working during a power outage.
When the power goes out, the pump stops working.
Your primary sump pump is always on standby and will turn on when water under your house starts rising. But when the power cuts out, it just shuts down. The water keeps rising, the float goes up, but the pump does not start, so water just sits there.
Sometimes, in less than an hour, water starts to creep across your basement floor. It can get into carpets, ruin drywall, and even reach the electrical outlets.
Flooding is a real concern in Northbrook.
Northbrook is close to the Techny Drain and other low-lying spots that show up as flood zones on FEMA floodplain maps. The Village gives people tools to check if their homes are in a Special Flood Hazard Area. If your property falls in one of those areas, it means your risk of flooding is real.
Cook County homes are also covered by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Watershed Management Ordinance. These rules make sure that stormwater is managed properly and don’t allow homeowners just to wing it with their drainage.
So even if your sump pump stops during a storm, you can’t ignore the regulations.
Can you send sump pump water into the sewer?
Northbrook inspects homes for inflow and infiltration to make sure stormwater does not end up in the sanitary sewer. Too much water in those pipes can lead to backups and bigger problems for everyone in the community.
Also, if you are planning to dig and change how your discharge works, you have to call JULIE by dialing 811. It is a free service that helps you avoid hitting gas lines or other underground utilities. Plus, calling before you dig is required by law.
Backup options that truly work.
If you want to keep your basement dry during an outage, a backup sump pump is a must-have. The most common type is battery-powered and can continue running for hours even during an outage. Another option is a water-powered pump, which uses pressure from city water instead of electricity.
Some people install a generator for their sump system, but that usually takes permits and careful planning. Whichever system you get, the point is to keep water out of your basement even if the power is gone for hours.
An experienced backup sump pump installer in Northbrook, Illinois can help you decide on the best setup for your home.
What happens if you don’t do anything at all?
It is easy to think a flooded basement will not happen to you. But when it does, the cost adds up fast.
Fixing floors and walls can cost thousands, and that is not even counting furniture or your personal belongings. Add in the cost of mold removal or replacing keepsakes, and suddenly the price of a backup system looks like a bargain.
Insurance might help, but between high deductibles and coverage gaps, you will probably be left paying a big chunk yourself. In the end, it is way more economical to prepare ahead of time than to try to clean up after it is too late. That is why working with a professional backup sump pump installer in Northbrook, Illinois is worth considering.
Looking for a Backup Sump Pump Installer in Northbrook, Illinois?
Do you want to make sure your basement stays dry even when the power is out? If so, and if you’re looking for the top-rated backup sump pump installer in Northbrook, Illinois, look no further than R. Carrozza Plumbing Co. Contact us today at (847) 451-7040 to schedule a service.