Battery Backup Sump
Frozen Sump Pump Problems?
Many homeowners depend on sump pumps to take water out of their basements. However, a frozen sump pump can cause significant worry.
During cold weather months, a concern for many is the possible freezing of water in the sump pump discharge line or around the foundation, resulting in potential damage not only to the sump pump, but also to the house.
Grading
An important step in preventing any kind of water damage to your home is to create a ground slope around your house so that water will be directed away from the foundation – this is called ‘grading’. Because water runs down hill, landscaping your property so that water flows away from the house will prevent seepage into your basement during a downpour, and will keep the water expelled by your sump pump from leaking back into the house. Walk around your house after a heavy rainfall and check for pooling near the foundation; puddles of water will indicate the sections of your property that need additional grading.
Sump Pump Models
Sump pumps come in two basic models: the upright (or pedestal) model and the submersible model. Both versions are reliable and efficient in eliminating water from your basement. To see more sump pump modelswe recommend going to http://www.sump-pump-info.com/types.html.
The upright model has the motor on top and the pump at the base; it is installed in the bottom of the sump hole. The motor is turned on and off by a ball float that has a visible sentry light, reassuring you that the sump pump is operating (much like a freezer).
The submersible pump is completely immersed in water. The switch is attached to the pump and comes either with a ball float connected to a pressure switch or with an adjustable mercury-activated float switch.
A back-up battery-powered sump pump is available, starting at $250. The battery is hooked up to your home’s electrical system – always charged and ready to go. The pump takes over during times of power failures. Systems in a higher price range are said to be more effective as they determine the length of time the pump will remain active after power loss.
Tips on Avoiding a Frozen Sump Pump
- The exit point for water removal should be lower than the pump. Gravity will help the water to run out and keep it flowing during freezing temperatures.
- Direct the expelled water ten to twenty feet from the foundation. You can connect a flexible, freeze-resistant hose to the end of the discharge pipe for extra length.
- Use a larger diameter discharge hose to avoid a frozen sump pump problem. It may be an eyesore (especially if it is above ground) but it will definitely help keep the water running freely. The installation is very simple – bend a wire hanger around the nozzle and pipe and secure it with a pipe clamp.
- Bury the discharge pipe in the ground and insulate any above-ground pipe sections with heating tape and straw. Make sure to dig deep enough so that the sump pump pipe is well below the frost line.
The sump pump has to work harder when water in the discharge hose freezes, often causing the motor to overheat. Listen to the pump in order to determine if it is running more frequently or for longer periods of time. In such a case, it is a good idea to periodically shut the motor off in order to let it cool down.
Regardless of the model of sump pump you choose, following the above guidelines will help you avoid frozen sump pump problems and thereby alleviate your worries.
About the Author
Herb Mansfield is a master plumber in the province of Quebec, Canada. He has over 35 years experience in the plumbing field. He is now lending his expertise to the Sump Pump Info.
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WAYNE 12V Battery-Powered Backup Sump Pump System ESP15 w/Battery $225.99 |
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Zoeller Aquanot II Battery Backup Pedestal Sump Pump $650.00 |
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Wayne ESP25 12-Volt 3300 Gallons Per Hour Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $69.99 |
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ACE Battery Back-Up Emergency Sump Pump System ( Automatic ) 1380 GPH NEW $140.00 |
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Simer A5000 Ace In The Hole Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $329.00 |
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One ProFlo PF92910 Emergency battery backup sump pump system $229.99 |
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SPBS-12 506400 LITTLE GIANT SUMP PUMP BATTERY BACK UP $298.95 |
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WAYNE 40 Ah 12V Backup Sump Pump System Battery WSB1240 $227.99 |
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WAYNE 75 Ah 12V Backup Sump Pump System Battery WSB1275 $301.99 |
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WAYNE ESP45 12V Backup Sump Pump System incl. Battery $893.99 |
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WAYNE ESP45 12V Backup Sump Pump System with Battery $745.99 |
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WAYNE WSS30V Primary/ Backup Sump Pump Kit incl Battery $678.99 |
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WAYNE WSS20V Primary/ Backup Sump Pump Kit incl Battery $598.99 |
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WAYNE ESP25 12V Backup Sump Pump System with Battery $517.99 |
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WAYNE ESP25 12V Backup Sump Pump System incl. Battery $443.99 |
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WAYNE ESP15 12V Backup Sump Pump System incl. Battery $440.99 |
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WAYNE ESP15 12V Backup Sump Pump System with Battery $366.99 |
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WAYNE Primary and Battery-Powered Backup Sump WSS30V $401.99 |
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WAYNE WSS20V Primary and Battery-Powered Backup Sump $321.99 |
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WAYNE 24V Battery-Powered Backup Sump Pump System ESP45 $429.99 |
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WAYNE 12V Battery-Powered Backup Sump Pump System ESP15 $145.99 |
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WAYNE WSS20V Primary + Backup Sump Pump Kit + Battery $524.99 |
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BASEMENT WATCH DOG BWE UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY BATTERY BACK UP SUMP PUMP 1000GPH NEW $152.99 |
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Master Plumber 12V Emergency Automatic Battery Back Up Sump Pump Backup System $249.99 |
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Basement Watchdog Combination Primary/Backup Sump Pump System + Battery DFK-961 $299.99 |
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Basement Watchdog Combination Primary/Backup Sump Pump System + Battery DFK-961 $354.99 |
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Basement Watchdog Combination Primary & Battery Backup Sump Pump System DFK-961 $189.99 |
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STA-RITE AUTOMATIC BATTERY BACK UP EMERGENCY SUMP PUMP SYSTEM $249.99 |
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Blue Angel (bsp15) 12V Thermoplastic Battery Backup Sump Pump System $181.00 |
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Blue Angel (bsp25) 12V Thermoplastic Battery Backup Sump Pump System $287.00 |
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Blue Angel (bsp45) 24V cast iron Battery Backup Sump Pump System $488.00 |
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507-0008 PRO PAK 53 ZOELLER M53 BASEMENT SENTRY I BATTERY BACKUP SUMP PUMP $669.95 |
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507-0008 PRO PAK 53 ZOELLER M53 BASEMENT SENTRY I BATTERY BACKUP SUMP PUMP $399.95 |
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WAYNE ESP15 12V 1/4 HP BATTERY SUMP PUMP BACKUP SYSTEM $178.99 |
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Basement Watchdog 1730 GPH Battery Backup Sump Pump System BWSP $239.99 |
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Basement Watchdog Special Battery Backup Sump Pump System BWSP $409.99 |
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Basement Watchdog 1000 GPH Battery Backup Sump Pump System BWE $130.64 |
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Basement Watchdog Special Dual Float Battery Backup Sump Pump System BWSP $259.99 |
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Simer A5000-03 Emergency Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $269.99 |
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Glentronics DFK961 Basement Watchdog Emergency Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $319.99 |
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585-0005 ZOELLER AQUANOT II 12 V BATTERY BACK UP SUMP PUMP $569.95 |
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585-0005 ZOELLER AQUANOT II 12 V BATTERY BACK UP SUMP PUMP W/ BATTERY $859.95 |
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“Ace” Battery Back-Up Sump Pump $189.99 |
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Glentronics BWE Basement Watchdog Emergency Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $154.99 |
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BE SAFE! New in Box HIGH FLOW Battery Back up Sump Pump System $299.00 |
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12V Emergency Automatic Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $199.99 |
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The Basement Watchdog – BWSP Battery Backup Sump Pump System $300.00 |
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507-0005 M53 ZOELLER BASEMENT SENTRY I PUMP BATTERY BACK UP SUMP PUMP $239.00 |
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Glentronics The Basement Watchdog Emergency Battery Back Up Sump Pump System $155.00 |
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Basement Watchdog Computer Controlled A/C -D/C Battery Backup Sump Pump System $479.99 |
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Craftsman Battery Operated Back Up Sump Pump System -Barely Used $159.99 |
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BE SAFE! New in Box Battery Back up Sump Pump System $199.00 |
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Blue Angel BSP15 12-Volt Thermoplastic Battery Back-Up Sump Pump System ESP-15 $159.99 |
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Liberty 441 Battery Back-Up Sump Pump System w/ alarm $273.66 |
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Liberty 441 Battery Back-Up Sump Pump System 12V $335.21 |
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Liberty FKIT441 12V Battery Back-Up Sump Pump $456.51 |
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SIMER A5000 EMERGENCY BATTERY BACK UP SUMP PUMP SYSTEM $227.98 |
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Wayne Water Systems 24V Cast-Iron Battery Back-Up Sump Pump System ESP45 $419.99 |
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Craftsman Battery Back-Up Sump Pump $147.04 |
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WAYNE ESP45 24V Battery Back Up Sump Pump $411.75 |
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Basement Watchdog BWE Emergency Battery Back Up Sump Pump $150.00 |
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PENTAIR A5000-04 EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP 12V SUMP PUMP $269.99 |
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Hydromatic FG-A1 12 volt Battery BackUp Sump Pump Power Supply #134JWD $115.00 |
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DCM0090 INTERSTATE NEW MARINE DEEP CYCLE BATTERY BACKUP SUMP PUMP $278.95 |
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507-0005 M53 ZOELLER BASEMENT SENTRY I BATTERY BACKUP SUMP PUMP $499.95 |
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SPBS-12 506400 LITTLE GIANT SUMP PUMP BATTERY BACK UP W/ DCM0090 $569.95 |
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BURCAM Pumps Battery Backup Sump Pump System $209.99 |
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Basement Watchdog Computer-Controlled AC/DC Battery-Backup Sump Pump $399.99 |
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Basement Watchdog Computer-Controlled AC/DC Battery-Backup Sump Pump $490.00 |
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Glentronics, Inc. 30HDC140S Basement Watchdog Back-Up Sump Pump Battery $129.00 |
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PENTAIR WATER A5000 Emergency Battery Backup Sump Pump System $303.99 |
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Zoeller Pro Pak 53 Sentry Battery Backup Sump Pump System model 507-0008 $429.00 |
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Wayne ESP45 Battery Back Up Sump Pump Heavy Duty 24V 1-1/2 ” NPT discharge $564.99 |
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WAYNE ESP15 12V 1/4 HP BATTERY SUMP PUMP BACKUP SYSTEM $169.55 |
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Wayne 12 Volt Battery Backup Sump Pump System ESP25 $239.99 |
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Reliance Controls THP205 Sump Pump Alarm and Flood Alert $12.69 The Reliance Controls sump pump alarm and flood alert comes complete with a 60-inch water sensor wire. For maximum versatility, the kit includes a weighted probe tip that can optionally be suspended at any level to detect rising water. The sensor tip features a suction cup mount that can be affixed to any hard, non-porous surface, such as a toilet tank, bathtub, or tile floor. Designed to protect … |
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Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 Hp $115.99 Zoeller Pump Co. M-53 Mighty Mate clear effluent or dewatering submersible pump. Choice of many plumbers and contractors. 1/3 HP cast iron housing with plastic vortex impeller. 9ft. power cord. Truely a all star pump. Powder coated epoxy CI and SS fastners. Oil filled motor with thermal overload. CSA UL SSPMA… |
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Zoeller 98-0001 115-Volt 1/2 Horse Power Model M98 Flow-Mate Automatic Cast Iron Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump $189.99 FLOW-MATE” SUBMERSIBLE PUMP 1/2 HP For sump/dewatering septic tank effluent Thermal overload protected Cast iron Stainless steel screws 2-pole float operated mechanical switch 1-1/2″ NPT discharge Passes 1/2″ solids 115 volt 3420 GPH at 5, 3060 GPH at 10, 2580 GPH at 15 head One year limited warranty Display carton… |
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Tripp Lite APS2012 2000W 12V DC to AC Inverter with Automatic Line-to-Battery 100/25-Amp Charger $1,089.00 Tripp Lite APS2012 PWRINV APS 2012 2000W 12VDC HWIRE… |
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Tripp Lite APS1250 1250W 12V DC to AC Inverter with Automatic Line-to-Battery 30-Amp Charger $387.00 12V DC, 120V AC – 120V AC – Continuous Power:1250W… |
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SUGG20192 Sumpro Gold Pack Battery Back Up System SumPro SUGG20192 Sumpro Gold pack Battery Back Up System SumPro SUGG20192 is the standard in modern flood protection and is ideal for larger homes or residences that are affected by sever weather or high water intake. The SumPro SUGG20192 Gold series incorporates the enormous pumping capacity of a 3/4 HP heavy duty pump, a reliable back-up power supply via the fully automatic SumPro charging unit,… |
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Duracell 852-1807 1,800 Watt Five Outlet Rechargeable Power Source $442.79 The Duracell PowerSource 1800 is the ideal emergency backup power solution for the home or office. During a power outage, it will automatically supply emergency backup power for a small office and household appliances like a refrigerator, TV, lights or a sump pump. In an emergency, the Duracell PowerSource 1800 switches seamlessly to its builtin battery and provides 1800 watts of household power, … |
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Tripp Lite APS750 750W 12V DC to AC Inverter with Automatic Line-to-Battery 20-Amp Charger $289.46 12V DC, 120V AC – 120V AC – Continuous Power:750W… |
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Tripp Lite APS2448UL 2400W 48V DC to AC Inverter with Automatic Line-to-Battery 15-Amp Charger $1,261.80 Tripp Lite’’s APS2448UL DC-to-AC inverter with automatic line-to-battery transfer and integrated charging system serves as an extended run UPS, a standalone power source or an automotive inverter. Supplies up to 4800 watts of continuous 120V AC power from any 48V DC bus or battery source. Floating 48VDC ground offers compatibility with positive or negative grounded DC systems, including 48V telco … |
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Basement Watchdog Backup Battery + Battery Acid – SPD-WDBATTERYACID Back-Up Standby Battery & Acid Designed to be drained and recharged Battery acid pack…… |
