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A sump pump can be the lifeline in your Kansas City home. Learn more about it’s function to help prevent a wet, flooded basement.

Water Bubbling Up From The Floor?

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Water bubbling up from the seam where the wall meets the floor is almost always a symptom of hydraulic pressure from below the floor level.

The first thing to check is the sump pump.

Is it on, is it working, is it pumping out the water?

Is the pit full of water?

Is the drain tile pipe coming in to the sump pit full, is water over the top of that pipe, or is able to spill in to an empty sump pit and the pump is able to fully cycle.

Solving a problem inside of your sump pit is usually the right solution. Happy to talk about other solutions.

The builder I helped on this day had an older home, and we ended up installing 70’ of channel track with inside drain tile to the existing sump pit.

Sump Pump Line In Winter

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In the winter months most sump pumps are not that active.  There are cases where homeowners sump pumps run majority of all seasons.  One of the problems can be as the outside temperatures are below freezing, the sump pump line that runs outside can freeze.  This can cause all sorts of problems such as, sump pump inability to exit water, back pressure on the sump pump which can lead to causing pipe joints to leak or sump pump to quit working, ice build up around sump pump line that can cause crack pipes and/or water to recalculate back down the foundation wall and potentially flooded basements.  Depending on if your sump pump is active or not during winter months will help determine what may be needed.

Most sump pipe exit points are either buried underground or ran a few feet above ground.  The bigger the pipe becomes after exiting the home, the better the chance of the water not freezing to the point that water can not exit.  It is not a good idea to have your 1 1/2″ or 2″ sump pipe exit the home and the same pipe buried underground.  It is better to use a 4″ or bigger, smooth interior piping, underground.  When burying piping underground it is important that the far exit point can relieve the water for less chance of freezing.  Exit points could be a storm drain at the street, or a catch basin that has holes in the bottom with a foot or so of gravel.  This will allow over time for the water to drain below the catch basin and dry the line.

10WinterSumpSump pumps should generally be replaced every 5 years or so.  Most homeowners ignore or seldom ever check the sump pump.  It is important to have a professional look at and evaluate before problems happen.

What You Should Know About Maintaining Your Sump Pump

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05MaintainSumpIf your home has a sump pump, you should learn about it. Sump Pumps are like any other electronic
appliance. They are generally reliable and should last at least 5 years and in some cases a life time.

However, if your coffee pot decides to quit working the only downfall is that you have to go without coffee for a day or so.  If your sump pump quits working, what will that do to you?  In some cases, nothing.  But, in others it may mean a wet basement.

Here are some things to do if your home has a sump pump:

DOES YOUR HOMEOWNERS POLICY COVER YOU FOR SUMP PUMP FAILURE?

Not all policies automatically cover you for this.  But, generally speaking this coverage is not very expensive.  Ask your insurance agent if you are covered.   Knowing that you are covered or not before you have a problem is  worth it.

DURING RAIN EVENTS, GO WATCH TO SEE HOW OFTEN YOUR PUMP RUNS

Go down to your sump pit and watch during heavy rain events.  Your sump pump has a switch that automatically turns the pump on when the water gets to about 3″ – 5″ above the top of the pump.  Then, the pump will stop when that water is pumped down near the bottom.  See how long it takes for the water to rise in the sump pit before your pump turns on again.  There is no magic number on how long this should be.  If the sump pump is keeping up, then it is doing it’s job. If the time between cycles is 1 minute or more, then you have a normal water table.   But, if the time between cycles is less than 1 minute, then you have a pretty active water table.  You should consider a backup system regardless.

DURING RAIN EVENTS GO OUTSIDE & WATCH TO SEE THE SUMP PUMP DISCHARGE IN   YOUR YARD

05MaintainSump01Go outside to where your sump pump is discharging. Is the water getting away from your home?   How far should the water discharge away from the home?  This depends on the slope of your yard.  However, if  you have good slope, we suggest at least 5′ away.   If your  grade is flatter or with slight slope, then at least 10′ away.  However, the further away the better!  You do  not want the sump pump pumping the same water over and over again.

 CHECK YOUR SUMP PUMP & SUMP PIT ONCE EVERY 5 YEARS ON AVERAGE

You may opt to do this yourself, or hire it done.  You can expect to pay $ 75 – $ 125 to have a professional come out to look at and check your sump pump.  Here are some things that we do when we check a sump pump.

  • Remove the sump pump from the sump pit basin & check the impellar for obstructions
  • Clean the debris out of the sump pit, like loose sediments and/or silt that may have snuck in through the holes or openings in the sump pit liner
  • Manually run the pump with water and visually watched the pump for it’s efficiency and turn on/off levels.
  • Check your back flow valve to make sure it is not letting water back into your sump pit basin and for loud noises.
  • Made sure the your sump pipe discharges properly in your yard and is free of obstacles.
  • Check the brackets that hold pipe to the wall to make sure no rattles. Added or replaced if necessary.
  • Checked the hole in siding from pipe discharge to make sure it is caulked. Caulked if necessary.
  • Make sure the sump pit  lid fits properly.  Adjusted the lid to fit if possible.

 OPTIONS THAT YOU CAN CONSIDER TO ADD TO YOUR HOME’S PUMPING POWER!

  1. Install a larger sump pump, capable of pumping more gallons of water per hour
  2. Install another sump pump (2 pumps are better than 1 in case one of them fails or can’t keep up)
  3. Install a battery back up system (This will give you peace of mind in case of a power outage)
  4. Install a generator (Depending on how big of a generator, you may be able to use it for other things)

What If Your Sump Pump Failed

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DID YOU EVER THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOUR SUMP PUMP FAILED?

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE THE CHANCES THAT THIS HAPPENS TO YOU?

 If your home has a sump pump, you may want to consider some options to create a back up plan in case your sump pump fails.  If you have a finished basement, you should consider what your options are to protect your investment.  Most homeowners take their sump pump for granted and only put thought into it after they get water in the basement.

Sump pumps can fail due to many reasons.  The main reasons are:

  1. It just quits working.  Like any appliance, coffee pot, hair dryer, etc… they can die at anytime.  They can last forever, or 1 day.  The automatic switch can burn out, or the main pump can burn up.  You never know.
  2. It can’t keep up with the water inflow.  If you get a rain event that is just too much for your sump pump to handle, it  may not keep up and overflow your sump pit.
  3. Clogs.  Sometimes little rocks or other debris washes into the sump pit basin and causes the sump pump to run at a lower capacity.
  4. Power Outage. 

There are many steps that you can take to INCREASE YOUR CHANCES of keeping your basement dry due to a sump pump issue.  You will just need to take action on 1 or more of these things if you desire extra piece of mind.

Here are some options to consider, in order from least expensive to most, with approximate costs to you if you were to hire a professional.  Of course, you can do them for less if you choose to do the work yourself:

MAINTAIN YOUR EXISTING SUMP PUMP ($ 100 per year)

Once a year, you can consider having your sump pump looked at.  During this inspection, have your sump pit cleaned out and remove the things that can be sucked up into the sump pump’s impeller.  If there is anything in the sump pump that may have been keeping it from operating at full capacity, you can have it removed before it does too much damage to the pump.   By simply providing a maintenance to this appliance, you can possibly keep it operating longer.

ADD A 2nd SUMP PUMP  just like the one you have  ($ 250 – $ 400)

Two pumps are better than 1!  This will double your chances in case you have a pump failure, but won’t help you in case of a power outage.  It will also give you double the pumping power in a heavy rain event.

ADD A BATTERY POWERED BACK UP ($ 500 – $ 1,200)

Two pumps are better than 1, plus this one will work in case of a power outage.
There are many types of back up pumps, and we will not get into the details of them in this article.  They also make a water back up pump, that does not operate on a battery but works on the water pressure of your home’s water service line.

ADD A POWER GENERATOR ($ 300 – $ 10,000)

A generator is more effective than a battery back up sump pump.  Generators come in many different sizes and capabilities which can vary in cost greatly.  You can spend $ 300 to get one that you will have to pull start, or you can spend upwards of $10,000 to get one that turns on automatically and runs your entire home.  There are plenty of options in between as well.

LASTLY, check to see if your home has insurance for a sump pump failure.  Typically, insurance companies do not automatically provide this to you unless you ask.  But, the costs are usually not that much to get it.  If you have a finished basement, this may provide much needed piece of mind in case all your efforts still don’t work.

Check Your Sump Pump To Keep Your Basement Dry

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Especially in the Greater Kansas City metro, area homeowners depend on a properly functioning drain tile and sump pump system to keep their basement dry. Unfortunately, sump pumps are often the last thing on a homeowner’s mind – until it it too late.  Just like any other machine, sump pumps should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure it is performing it’s job! Check Your Sump Pump Once Annually (or more!) We know home life can be crazy –  but make a commitment to yourself to check your sump pump at least once a year – or better, once at the beginning of each season – to avoid a bigger issue down the road.

Things To Check Annually

  • Is the power operational and safely running to the sump pump?
  • Is the sump pump standing upright in the center of the pit?
  • Is the pit free of debris?
  • Pour a bucket of water in the pit. Does the sump pump come on automatically?
  • Is the sump drain exit (exterior of home) clear and kicking water away from the home’s foundation?

Other Safe Measures To Consider To Protect Your Home

Battery Powered Back-Up

Consider adding a battery powered back-up sump pump system. This system is designed to run when your regular sump pump’s power is cut off or if the sump pump is overloaded. The float is set to a slightly higher level than the primary system and will turn on in the event of a power outage or primary system failure.

Check Your Home Insurance Coverage

Typical sump pump systems are covered by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty for parts and labor – however, this warranty does not cover you as a homeowner from damages that an overflowed system could cause. Unfortunately, the standard home insurance policy does not cover such damage either. In most cases, homeowners must opt into an endorsement clause to cover backed-up sewer and drain lines. Be sure to check with your provide to make sure you have the appropriate coverage.

 

What Will Insurance Cover When My Sump Pump Fails or Overflows?

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In the event your sump pump fails all together or can’t keep up – are you covered?

Many standard home insurance policies do not cover damages caused by overflowing from a sump pump or backing up through sewers and drains in your home’s basement.

Check to see if you have the right kind of coverage – especially if your basement is finished! 

We most frequently hear of such damaging losses during the peak storm and wet seasons. In some cases, homeowners lost power with no battery-powered back up sump pump installed or their sump pump was clogged because the regular recommended maintenance was not performed.

Regardless of the cause, the situation can be tragic and VERY frustrating.

We spoke with Matthew Meyer, a Kansas City Area Insurance Agent with Farmers to learn a little more detail about what homeowners should be asking for to ensure they are protected.

Most Common Claim Type

Claim wise, Matt shared with us that basement water claims are one of the most common types of claim in the Kansas City Area. By opting in to the appropriate endorsement coverage for your home, regarding your sump pump – you will be covered regardless of the cause for damage. Some of the most common scenarios are the sump pump lost power during a storm, being over-loaded because of other exterior drain issues or being clogged by debris.

Varying Coverage Options

Again, this is an optional endorsement coverage that many homeowners do not know to ask about. Since it is optional, homeowners may select the amount of coverage they wish to have. Depending on if your basement is finished and the type of  furnishings and types of belongings you store there, coverage may range from as low as $5,000 too upwards of $25,000+.  Additional premium cost could range from as low as $40 per year to $120+ per year – again, depending on the amount of coverage that is necessary for your home’s scenario.

Good Option To Consider For Unfinished Basements Too

It’s a clear decision why homeowners with finished basements should seriously consider this coverage – but what about a homeowner with an unfinished basement? Because homeowners can specify their desired amount of coverage, it is highly recommended to get the minimum endorsement coverage. In the event of a sump pump or drain back-up, this coverage will cover things like water removal, mold mitigation and not to mention damaged property that could have been stored there.

Battery Back-up Discounts

Matt also mentioned that many home insurance providers will offer a break or discount of sorts for homeowners who have taken the added precaution of installing a battery back-up sump pump!

Take action to protect your Kansas City home.

You have options now! Before you get in a more frustrating situation when water is flooding your basement, take these simple measures to make sure you are protected.

      • Perform regular sump pump maintenance – at least annually, preferably the change of each season.
      • Install a battery powered back-up sump pump in case your home’s power goes out during a storm.
      • Contact your home insurance to ensure your policy covers damages caused sump pump overflow and other drain & sewage backups in your home.

 

For more information regarding sewage and drain back-up endorsement coverage, please contact Matthew Meyer.

Matthew Meyer
Farmer’s Insurance
913-209-9442
http://www.farmersagent.com/mmeyer2

 

Sump Pump Break-Down

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It’s a nightmare for any homeowner: You come home after a weekend at your in-laws’ and find a basement full of water. Apparently the sump pump chose that moment to stop working, and now there you are, standing in a pool of soaking wet boxes and furniture with no idea what to do or where to begin.

Obviously, you’ll need to clean up, but before you do, you’ll need to make sure the area is safe. Prior to entering the area, make sure there is no chance that you will receive an electric shock. Turn off the electrical power to the basement if possible, and make sure that no one is at risk from water and electricity. Also look for major structural damage in the walls or ceiling that could collapse or cause harm to those in the area. If you are unsure of the basement’s stability, contact Gordon Energy & Drainage. We are experts in dealing with wet basement situations and can help you restore your property and fix the damaged areas in a safe manner.

The next thing to do will be to call your insurance company. Find out what is covered and how they suggest you file your claim. Also, take pictures of the area and damaged items so that you can show the results to the company.

Now comes the hard part: cleaning up.

Before you head down to the basement, put on protective clothing including gloves, disposable overalls, protective eyewear and a facemask (if necessary). Again, if possible, shut off the electrical power to the area and resist the temptation to plug anything in to what may appear to be a clear outlet. Open windows if you have them, and get as much ventilation going to the area as possible.

Start by salvaging whatever belongings you can. The quicker they are removed, the less likely they will be to rot, warp or accumulate mold and mildew. While filtering through the items keep a list of what you pull out and separate what can be salvaged from what should be thrown out.

Obviously, excess water will need to be removed. Depending on the amount accumulated, you can either contact a water-removal/cleaning company or use a wet/dry vacuum in the area. Most rugs will need to be discarded, so remove them from the area and put them in the pile of items to be thrown away. Whether or not carpet and furniture can be salvaged will depend on the amount of water and damage accumulated.

Once personal possessions and excess water have been removed, it’s time to completely dry and disinfect the area. Spray all surfaces with lukewarm water, starting with the floor and working up. Scrub the surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner, and then rinse it off using a brush moistened with a solution of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

After the area is cleaned and dried, you’ll want to replace your sump pump. And, this time, in order to prevent the unexpected from happening again, we suggest equipping your home with a back-up sump pump as well, especially if you frequently use the basement or use it to store valuable items.

At Gordon Energy & Drainage, we are proud to be Kansas City’s top sump pump installation company and can provide you with a reliable replacement to protect your home. It’s just a fact that basement floods and broken sump pumps are part of life’s unfortunate accidents. There’s no way to prevent the situation outside of doing your part to replace old pumps occasionally. That’s why we at Gordon Energy & Drainage encourage you to examine the quality of your sump pump and determine whether or not it needs to be replaced. After all, you don’t want to “wade” through the situation we described above. Instead, protect your home and your possessions by maintaining a working sump pump and knowing your property is secure.

So, whether you are the victim of a wet basement or would just like more information about sump pump replacements, contact Gordon Energy & Drainage today!

 

Sump Pump Lifespan: How Long Will It Last?

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The sound of thunder in the area has been music to our ears—and to everyone else in the area who is tired of the drought. We’re excited that the rain is back, and we hope it continues until the ground is healthy and saturated once more.

When it comes to homeownership and rain, one of the most common topics outside of lawn care is basement water and how to avoid it. Home leaks cause property owners thousands of dollars in damage every year, and much of it could be prevented either by checking the property for signs of damage or installing a quality sump pump—or both!

At Gordon Energy & Drainage, we are proud to be Kansas City’s top sump-pump installation company. And we’d love to help you care for your home and prevent it from damage by outfitting you with a quality pump that will last for years. But if you make the investment, you want to know it’s going to last. And when it comes to the lifespan of a sump pump, there are two main factors that need to be considered.

First, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap sump pump, you’ll likely

Little Giant = Big Quality

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We couldn’t believe it either. Last week when storms hit the Kansas City metro, we just about cried tears of joy. The sound of thunder. The gusts of wind. The ominous sky. It was a sight for sore (and dry) eyes.

Now that the rain is returning in small bits, it’s time to think about your sump pump. With the condition of the soil and the unpredictable weather, there’s a very good chance that flash flooding will occur under the right circumstances—even in your own basement.

At Gordon Energy & Drainage, we want to help you avoid that situation by equipping you with a quality sump pump. As Kansas City’s top sump pump installation company, we offer quality products that help our customers avoid the costly disaster of home or commercial property flooding.

One of the most popular lines on the market is the Little Giant ES33 Series. And due to Little Giants’ outstanding products and reputation, it’s a brand we’ve trusted for years. These ES33 models are energy-saving, high-performance, fully submersible sump/effluent pumps that are designed, manufactured and tested in accordance with Little Giant’s demanding standards. The ES33 comes with a powerful 1/3 HP Permanent Split Capacitor motor that allows the pump to run cooler and last longer while still delivering 40 GPM  at 10’ total dynamic head. The ES33 also conserves energy by drawing only 5.0 full load amps, which is almost half the energy of the standard 1/3 horsepower pumps.

For those with extreme amounts of water entering their sump pits, a good option to consider is the Heavy Duty 10EN pump. We recommend this HD pump be used in these cases as they have a high capability to pump vertically. The HD 10EN can keep going even when the water level reaches beyond the boundaries of standard sump pumps guaranteeing a higher capacity and greater success in intense situations.

As a customer- focused company, we at Gordon Energy & Drainage want to offer only the best products to those who trust us with their business. That’s why we carry Little Giant sump pumps. We’ve been in this business for a long time and have come to believe that these products are highly reliable and of exceptional quality. If choose to let us install one in your home or commercial facility, we guarantee that you’ll be better prepared for the return of the rain. And return it will. . . Eventually.

 

Prepare For Rain’s Return: Get A Backup Sump Pump

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With the current state of drought in the Midwest reaching record levels, flooding may be the last thing on your mind. Most of us are so focused on the lack of rain that we forget what will happen when it comes. But eventually rain will return to Kansas City. The skies will open, and we will see the kind of downpour that we’re used to in the warmer months. And when that happens, we at Gordon Energy & Drainage want to make sure you are prepared for the storm.

This summer, you may have forgotten about your sump pump, focusing more on your air conditioner, but when was the last time you considered this machine and its condition? These are the home-saving pieces of equipment that keep the water out of your basement and are necessary parts of just about every structure. But just like everything else, sump pumps have their quirks and can fail at the least opportune moments.

With such dry soil this summer, all it will take will be one good rain to cause a variety of flood problems. The soil won’t be able to absorb a massive amount of moisture that falls quickly, which will cause flooding in areas of Kansas City. If your home is prone to floods and relies heavily on a sump pump during normal conditions, we encourage you to consider adding a backup sump pump to your home.

Normal sump pumps fail for a variety of reasons, the first being power outages. This is one of the most common reasons why homeowners install battery-operated backup sump pumps. Should the electricity go out during a storm, they don’t have to worry about the water level in their sump basin overflowing. The backup pump kicks in and takes over preventing basement flooding. It’s a highly beneficial piece of emergency equipment that can (and most likely will) save you thousands of dollars.

The second reason sump pumps fail is simply because it wears out or just plain quits. Let’s face it, machines all stop working after a time, and sump pumps are no different. Eventually they will stop running, and you’ll be left to find out the hard way through a basement flood. If, however, you have that backup option, you won’t have to worry about this worst-case scenario. You’ll be covered when your sump pump runs its last cycle and let the backup keep you from costly water damage.

The last main factor that determines sump pump failure is the size of the storm. Here in the Midwest, we can get some pretty nasty weather, and every once in a while it will be too much for a regular sump pump to handle. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen, and the results can be costly. Once again…It’s a great reason to back up the sump pump. Just like in sports, when the starting player can’t get the job done, you have to have a sub who can come off the bench and save the game.

This summer, while you’re praying for rain, we encourage you take the chance to prepare for its return. Consider the condition of your sump pump and investigate the option of a backup. While we’ll be here for you if you need us in a disaster, we at Gordon Energy & Drainage know you’d prefer not to have to make that call. Instead, make the easier call to us to check out one of our StormPro backup sump pumps. By making that choice, we know you’ll save a lot of money, a lot of damage, a lot of time and, most importantly, a lot of sanity.

How Sump Pumps Work In Homes

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A sump pump is a requirement if you have a full basement. Without one, your basement can take on water during wet weather events.

Don’t confuse a SUMP PUMP with a SUMP PIT. A sump pit is used to collect the rain water that can form around your home or structure. A sump pump is used to discharge that water away.

How does water enter a sump pit so the pump has a chance to work? Water will take the path of least resistance. The most common way is when the ground water table beneath your home rises and eventually pushes “upwards” beneath the home. (see drawing)

As rains continue, the ground becomes so saturated that it forms a water table.  The ground becomes so saturated, that this water table rises upward and possibly towards the bottom of your basement floor slab.  If the water table rises to the same level as your basement floor, you can experience a wet basement.  This is unless you have a sump pit to collect this water and a sump pump to get it far away from your house.

A home with an average size basement (about 1,400 s.f.) will need 1 sump pump that has the capacity to pump 2,000 gallons of water per hour.  This is an average that works on most homes, but there are always factors that can change this.    If your home is in an extremely wet area, low lying area, near a water source, etc… you may need an additional sump pump or a larger one.

Your sump pit basin should hold at least 30 gallons of water, and be at least 24″ deep.  If your sump pit is too small, or less than 30 gallons, it may cause your sump pump to cycle more often in order to keep up with the water that comes in.   This increased cycling can reduce your sump pumps life span.  A sump pit that is not deep enough will allow the water table to get close to the same level as your basement floor before the sump pump can operate.

The  best way to keep water away from your floor slab, and even needing the sump pump to work is proper drainage around the home.  A good slope of 1″ – 2″ per 5′ is a good minimum to keep any moisture from sinking down around your foundation.  The moisture that comes down on your roof should be directed into your gutters and taken at least 10′ away from the home.

A sump pump should last at least 5 years. They are like a coffee pot or hair dryer.  You never know when it will burn up.  Some people opt to install a 2nd sump pump, directly on top of the primary pump just in case the 1st one decides to call it quits.  This is a good insurance policy, especially if you live in a home that needs the sump pump to work in order to maintain a dry basement.  You may not have time to replace it before your basement floods!   Also, the cost to install a sump pump on an emergency basis can be way more costly.

The sump pump should discharge the water so it gets at least 10′ away from the house.  You don’t want your sump pump to pump the same water over and over again.  It is a common practice to bury the sump pump discharge line under the ground to a nice place in the yard that is far away from the house and has good slope.

The sump pit should be cleaned out at least once per year as debris, silt, etc… can infiltrate it and potentially cause the pump to clog.  Your sump pit and sump pump should be maintained just like  your heating and cooling system.   Annual inspections should be made by someone who knows what they are looking for to help ensure that your sump pump will be ready when it is needed.

Why 2 Sump Pumps Can Be Better Than 1

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So, you have a sump pump and you are wondering what would happen if yours failed?

There are 3 reason why 1 sump pump may not be enough:

1.  Your sump pump decides it is time to die!
2.  Your sump pump can’t keep up with the water coming in.
3.  The power goes out

Sump pumps are like coffee pots or hair dryers.  If your coffee pot quits working, you have to go to Starbucks to get your caffeine fix.  If your hair dryer quits working, you have a bad hair day.  Both can be replaced and your loss isn’t that significant. But, what will happen to your basement if your sump pump just decides to quit?  You may not even know that it quit.  Really, how often do you check on it?   If your basement floods, what type of damage will that do to you?

So, one reasonable solution to this potential problem is to have 2 sump pumps instead of 1 in the same sump pit basin.  A second sump pump can help reduce the potential threat of 1 dying or not being big enough to handle that big rainstorm.

How do you do this?
It is called the “piggy back” approach.  It is simply 1 sump pump on top of another.  You could set both sump pumps at the bottom of your sump pit basin, but that would mean that both pumps would run at the same time.  This can actually hurt both sump pumps because they would both be cycling more often.  The more a pump turns on and off the shorter the life span.  So, by installing the 2nd sump pump slightly higher, or on top of the primary pump, they won’t be working in tandem.  The 2nd pump will only have to work in the scenario that your primary pump fails or can’t keep up with the water that enters your sump pit basin.

Typical Kansas City sump pumps are expected to last 5 years.  However, like any electronic device, they can last 1 day or a lifetime. Sure, they come with warranties, but the warranties don’t cover your property.  What good will it do you to have a warranty that will give you a new sump pump AFTER your basement has suffered damage?  But, if you get 5 years out of a pump, you should be happy.  So, if you have a sump pump that is working, don’t throw it away no matter how old it is.  You never know when it’s life is up.  Unless you have money to blow, just keep it.  You may consider adding a brand new pump to be there when your primary pump decides it is time to go to the dump.

It is also recommended to maintain your sump pumps on a regular basis.  Go down to your basement during a variety of rain events and monitor your sump pump.  Be aware of how often your pump cycles on and off.  How fast does the water enter your sump pit basin?  This may not be scientific, but it can help educate you as to how important your sump pump is at your particular location.  Every house is different.  Maybe your sump pump hardly ever runs and your threat is minimal.   It is also recommended to clean out your sump pit basin.  Sometimes, small rock particles and silt can infiltrate in and potentially cause your sump pump to clog up.  Keep your pit clean!  Try to do this when it is not raining so you aren’t fighting all that water.  A wet/dry vacuum will do the trick nicely.

Gordon Energy & Drainage, located at 15735 S. Mahaffie in Olathe, KS installs over 2,000 sump pumps every year.  They have a sump pump that they install for about $280 that can pump 2,400 gallons per hour.  So, the question is simple.  Is it worth $280 of your money to add a 2nd sump pump to your basement? Read more about Kansas City sump pump installation .

Considering A Backup Sump Pump?

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So, you have a sump pump and you are wondering what would happen if yours failed?

There are a variety of reasons to consider a back up to your primary sump pump.

1.  The power goes out

2.  Your sump pump decided it was time to die

3.  Your sump pump was not big enough to handle that 1 big storm

 

 

Before making the decision to spend money, we would highly recommend learning more about your sump pump.  Take time to go down into the basement during heavy rain events and monitor your pump.  How long is the period of time between cycles?  If it is less than a minute, you have quite a bit of ground water entering your sump pit.  If it is over 10 minutes, then you don’t have near as much.  There is no clear dividing line on what is a lot of water, but you can use these numbers for a start.

Now take the time to see what would happen if your sump pump failed or quit working due to a power outage.  UNPLUG THE PUMP TO SIMULATE A PUMP FAILURE.  Watch the water levels in your sump pit to see how fast the water rises.  This is what will actually happen during a pump failure or power outage.  IF THE WATER IN THE PIT RISES TO 6” BELOW YOUR BASEMENT FLOOR LEVEL—PLUG YOUR PUMP BACK IN!!!  You do not want to flood your basement.

Now you are more educated about your sump pump situation as it pertains to your home.  Maybe you are not an expert, but you can make some basic assumptions and get a better feel for it.  Additionally, you can take the information that you learned and let a professional know so they can help assess your situation.

It is now time for you to decide if you should spend some money on providing back up protection.

SOLUTION FOR: THE POWER GOES OUT

There are some possible solutions to provide back up assistance in the case of a power outage.

OPTION 1: BATTERY OPERATED BACK UP PUMP: These back up systems converts a 12 Volt battery into standard 120 Volt electricity to run the sump pump.  Most of these systems utilize a separate sump pump that is capable of running on AC power.  This pump typically sits directly next or on top of your primary sump pump.  Some of them come with indicator lights that tells you the status of the system.

These battery operated back up pumps come in a variety of sizes and pumping capabilities.  For most homes, you can expect to pay $ 400 – $ 1,200 which would include the AC pump, 12 Volt battery, piping, fittings, and labor.  If you are handy, you can buy these at most hardware stores and install them yourself.  Don’t forget all of the fittings and pipe glue that you will need.

Gordon Energy & Drainage offers the STORM-PRO 2100 and STORM-PRO AC33 which can pump up to 3,000 gallons of water per hour based on 10’ of head pressure.  Head pressure is measured by how tall the unit has to pump water vertically before it discharges.  We use 10’ as a standard to measure this.  If your head pressure is less than 10’, you will get more pumping capacity.  If your head pressure is over 10’, you will get less pumping capacity.

OPTION 2: WATER OPERATED BACK UP PUMP. This system is similar to the battery operated back up, but instead of using a battery to power the pump it uses your municipal water system.

The system, when installed, connects to your incoming water line.  When the pump is activated, the water pressure from your incoming water line propels the pump into operation.  Gordon Energy & Drainage offers the LIBERTY SUMP JET.

The positive: Very reliable!  You should always have water pressure.  You don’t have to rely on the battery or maintenance of a battery.

The negative: The pumping capacity is dictated by your water pressure.  Most people don’t know what that is, and aren’t able to determine how well their back up pump will perform.  Will it be enough?    In most cases, a water operated back up unit will not be able to pump as much as a battery operate unit.  Another thing to consider is the cost for water.  Since your back up unit should only be working in the case of an emergency, you should not need to worry too much.  But, if your water operated back up unit runs for a longer period of time, you will have to pay for that water.

OPTION 3: GET A GENERATOR: There are a wide variety of generators available on the market.  The cost can vary greatly, but you can expect to pay $ 800 – $ 2,000 for one big enough to run a sump pump and a few other things.  You can pay well over that for one big enough to run your entire house!

SOLUTION FOR: YOUR SUMP PUMP MAY DECIDE IT IS TIME TO DIE!

 

You can never know how long a sump pump will last.  They are like coffee pots or hair dryers.  They can last forever or a month.  A good sump pump will come with a 1-2 year warranty.  But, most warranties do not cover any losses that you may experience.  They come with a replacement warranty only.

So, you have to ask yourself, “what is my risk?”

If you would feel better having a back up plan in place, then you could consider installing a battery back up sump pump (as discussed above) which runs on both battery or electricity.    In this case, you have a back up in place that will protect you from a dying sump pump OR a power failure.

Another option is to install a 2nd standard pump that runs on electricity only.  This will not protect you in the case of a power outage, but will be there in case your first pump dies. The odds of 2 pumps dying at the same time are much more unlikely. The advantage here is cost.  A pump that runs on electricity costs less than a battery back up unit.

SOLUTION FOR: YOUR SUMP PUMP IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE STORM

When your primary pump is not big enough to handle the water that enters the sump pit, you have to consider beefing up your pumping power.

Option 1: Replace it with a bigger one that is sized appropriately.  One negative with this is cost.  The cost for pumps increase greatly the bigger they get.   Another thing to consider is that you are throwing away your existing sump pump that was not big enough, but it still worked.

Option 2: Add another sump pump or battery back up unit into your existing sump pit.  This allows you to keep your existing sump pump that is still working, but just not big enough to handle the heavy storms.  In this case you would not need to add as big of a pump since you are still utilizing some of your pumps capabilities.

Before you spend any money, get the facts.  Contact Gordon Energy & Drainage for your Kansas City sump pump installation needs.