Are you aware of the benefits of a water powered sump pump? Even if your basement is already protected with a sump pump, you may want to consider one that is water powered as a backup sump pump. Almost every home built in the past forty years is equipped with a basement sump well and sump pump. If you own an older home that is prone to periodic flooding from the floor drain and have not yet installed a sump pump at all, you should definitely consider the benefits of sump pumps!

It may be that you have never heard of a sump pump before and don't know why you would even want one. Here is the major benefit: sump pumps protect your home and basement from flooding and water damage. If your area is prone to major storms and flooding, your home may experience flooding at some point. Even if floods don't occur regularly in your area, groundwater can still seep into your home's foundation and cause damage to the wood and foundation of the home. A sump pump protects your home from these problems.

Basement flooding can damage carpeting, furniture, walls, and even irreplaceable keepsakes. And home owner's insurance often doesn't cover basement flooding. To protect yourself and your home, a sump pump can be a form of insurance, protecting your home from the problems before they occur.

What is a water powered sump pump?

This type of sump pump uses the water pressure of your home's plumbing system to run. Because of this, it requires no electricity or batteries to run. For that reason, water powered pumps are often used as backups in case of power failure. Most sump pumps use electricity to run. If the power ever goes out, then the sump pump stops working. Those that are water powered keep working even in the case of power failure.

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So why wouldn't you purchase the water powered pump first and not worry about a backup sump pump? It is definitely cheaper to only purchase one pump for your home. And with the water powered pump you would not need to worry about the pump failing during a power failure. However, there are other reasons that sump pumps sometimes fail.

Sump pumps require regular maintenance to keep them working properly. If you are not careful to read the instruction manual and follow the maintenance schedule, your pump may encounter problems and fail to function properly. Sump pumps can also fail because debris such as stones or rocks that enter the pump and cause failure. A sump pump can also experience failure because of a clogged intake screen or a burned out motor. For many people, the risk of sump pump failure causes them to purchase a backup sump pump to prevent any problems.

The choice is really up to you. One sump pump is definitely better than none at all. And if one pump is all you plan to install, a water powered one would likely be the better option. And if you already have a sump pump in your home and are considering installing a backup, a water powered sump pump is a good one to consider for protecting your basement.