If you live in areas with a lot of rainfall and close to a flood plain or your area has a high water level, you may be familiar with a sump pump. You might even be having one in your basement. These devices are perfect for pumping water away from your house, mostly basements to a storm drain or even a dry well. A sump pump helps in preventing home basements and lower house sections from flooding.
A sump pump is designed to start itself up when water is detected in that area. And at times, that might not happen, especially when there are a power blackout and no generator connected. It’s always ideal to have a battery backup sump pump.
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Why should you install a battery backup sump pump?
Since we’re here to know how to install a battery backup sump pump, it is good I tell you why it’s a good idea to have in your house.
Risk Likelihood
One thing that can gauge if you need a battery backup sump pump is to determine the potential of flooding in your area. At times the power outages can happen when least expected. It can be caused by intense storms or other natural disasters and take out the sump pump.
If these are things that happen in your area a few times a year, getting the best battery backup sump pump is a worthy investment. It’s crucial to note that if your pump is aged, it has a higher chance of failure when there is a power blackout.
Easy to maintain
Battery backup sump pumps have several benefits, one being that they are relatively easy to maintain. With their simple installation process, battery backup sump pumps can be an excellent way to be assured of peace. They can operate when there is no power supply. However, you still need to check the water level and terminals regularly.
Danger Warnings
Another reason to have a battery backup sump pump is to tell you when to expect danger and when support is needed. High-end battery backup sump pumps have solutions that monitor the battery status, test their system, and alert the owner when there are signs of a problem. The interfacing adds an oversight layer crucial in protecting the house from flooding and keeping your property dry.
How do you install a battery backup sump pump?
When I was preparing info on the best battery backup sump pump, I asked how to install a battery backup sump pump. Setting up the sump pump isn’t difficult at all, assuming you already have a sump pit. Here is what you need.
- A Battery with a protective waterproof cover
- A standard drain PVC pipe
- Check valve
- Float switch
How to install a battery backup sump pump: the process
Before you engage yourself with all the installation, make sure you shut off the power line connected to the existing sump pump to prevent electrical shock. Once done, you can now start the installation.
Installing the discharge line
Attach your best discharge pipes to your primary pump. Attach a piece of the PVC pipe with a home to your backup pipe.
Next, attach the battery backup plus the backup pipe at around 45-degree angle. While at it, ensure you connect the primary hose using a Y-connector.
The next step is positioning the check valve under the fixed Y-connector and below the 45-degree angle.
Before you call the first step is a success, check the valve to make sure the floodwater never cause backups in the sump pump.
Installing your battery sump pump
This is the point where things start to get technical. You need to position your backup sump pump alongside your primary sump pump. While at it, ensure the two pump systems never touch each other.
The next step is to attach the discharge pipeline using the best PVC pipe hose.
Insert a piece of the discharge plumbing T-joint via a threaded hole.
Next, place the T-joint prepared into position. You can set it upwards or across the discharge pipe area in the primary pump.
Then, take the male pipe adapter and connect it to the PVC pipe hose through the T-joint hole.
The next step is to fasten the screw and connect the T-joint into the backup pump system directly using a screwdriver.
Attaching the float switch
Now it’s time to position the float switch for the newly installed backup pump over the existing primary pump.
Select a position that is ideal for detecting the water level inside the sump pit to trigger the battery and activate the pump.
Once you’re done, attach your float switch to the discharge pipe and connect the battery backup charger.
You need an ideal and reliable converter or a standard battery cable for the connection.
Finalizing the installation
Once you’re done with all the steps, connect back the power to the regular sump pump, and test it.
If it’s working, unplug the cord connected to the primary sump pump and do a test on the newly installed battery backup sump pump.
Now you can fill the pumps sump pit with water to check and see if the battery backup sump pump is cycling as required.
Conclusion
What you need to know is, as a disclaimer, I’m not an electrician, but I have done a couple of these installation guides, and they have worked marvelously. When learning how to install a battery backup sump pump, you should be ready to take your technical skills much higher to achieve the desired results. A battery backup sump pump can be a real lifesaver, and when installed correctly, the only maintenance you will giving the device is checking the water level and cleaning the battery terminals.
