If you own a home with a basement, you know that a sump pump is a vital part of keeping everything nice and dry. If you want to know the answer to the question, “How long can a sump pump go without power?” let Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating, a leading provider of generator service in Dallas County, explain more below.
How Do Sump Pumps Work?
Sump pumps act as a drainage system for commonly flooded areas in a home, such as a basement. When water flows into the sump pit, the electrical connector floats to create enough power to remove water from your home.
During flooding, a sump pump is a godsend to prevent water damage from overtaking your basement, draining the majority of the water before anything can accumulate.
If the power goes out, your sump pump can continue running for four to six hours, depending on how much battery life it has.
The Dangers of Sump Pump Power Outages in Dallas County, Texas
Unfortunately, even if you have a sump pump during times of flood, a sump pump power outage duration can quickly take your built-in advantage away from you.
Without electricity, a sump pump can’t send the water outside via the discharge pipe. Luckily, there are ways you can prevent these perfect storms from happening. Preparing your sump pump with some alternative methods of power can make your basement less susceptible to flooding and water damage 24/7, no matter what’s going on with the weather outside.
Backup Options for Sump Pumps
How long can a sump pump go without power? The duration of sump pump operation during outages could be a few hours if it has enough battery life, but this is not always the case.
Since sump pump electronics can fail even when the rest of the house has power, having either a generator or a battery backup handy is great for flooding emergencies. To power your sump pump, consider the following:
Generators
Power loss and sump pump operation are two inconveniences that may often go hand in hand. To best protect your crawlspaces and basements, we suggest a generator for round-the-clock coverage.
A generator provides significant protection against power outages not just for your home but also for your sump pump when you need it the most during a flood. With a generator, there’s more leeway wattage for your sump pump, providing energy for the whole house so that you can focus on keeping floodwaters down.
Batteries
If you’re dealing with a storm that causes flooding in your basement, a battery backup for sump pumps can help prevent multiple hours of flooding. While only a temporary solution, it can help you keep floodwaters away as an interim measure.
A battery backup can act as a small safety net so that your sump pump remains active during a flooding crisis to mitigate the worst damage. While a generator is a more hearty solution, you can’t go wrong with having both in your household just to be safe.
Sump Pump Generators
If a generator sounds too expensive and a battery backup sounds too temporary, consider a generator for just your sump pump. Depending on the wattage of your sump pump, you may need to be selective with which generator you choose for your flood protection. Most generators will run at about 7,000 watts, while a sump pump typically only requires 1,000 watts to function.
Water-Powered Sump Pumps
If you find your basement floods frequently, and you have a sump pump without electricity, why not use the water flow to your advantage? A water-powered sump pump doesn’t rely on electricity to keep it going but instead the flow of the water as it enters your sump pit. When the float rises due to the water level, it opens a valve that allows your gathered water to flow up and out of the discharge pipe.
Prepare Your Home With Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating Today in Dallas County, TX
Now that you know the answer to the question “How long can a sump pump go without power?” turn to our team at Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating for all your sump pump needs.
If you’re considering installing a generator or a specialized water-powered sump pump in your home, call us at Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating at 972-573-4539. We can teach you how to clean your sump pump and when it’s time to get a replacement in Dallas County, Texas.