Sump pump alarm

[Gregf]

After a basement flooding as the result of sump pump failures, yes that's plural as in both failed, I thought I would pass along a pump alarm system I found.
A classic case of shutting the door after an equine escape.
www.pumpalarm.com
This little beauty sends you a text message via cell, if water rises above a certain level. It also notifies you of a power failure.
It's pretty simple to install and setup.
Cheap insurance for $189 plus $15 activation. After the first year the annual cost is $30 for the service.
I test it the first of every month.
Another word to the wise, replace your sump pump every 5 years. (no I didn't ) .

 

[ed4copies]

One alternative: Install a battery powered back up pump.

Mine has been there about two years and has been used fewer than a half dozen times, but two of those WOULD have been floods---power out, water rising well above the sump top.

Yes, it is nice to KNOW your basement is about to flood---but I am even happier knowing I don't have to do anything about it---the secondary pump will keep the basement dry for about 24 hours (then the battery is dead---either a new battery or generator time!!)

Cost WAS higher--but under $500--I installed it in a couple hours.
FWIW,
Ed

 

[Gregf]

All well and good unless the battery pump goes as well DAMHIK.
The little beep beep alarm on the battery backup isn't very loud.
If an alarm goes off and there is no one to hear it, does it still make a sound?
Probably ran the battery down without me hearing it.

My current thought is a battery backup with a charger that will keep up with a primary pump failure.
And a better pump than those little plastic pumps that come with most systems.
I get a lot of water in the sump, especially when it rains.

 

[randyrls]

I remember seeing an emergency sump pump that worked on the water supply like a siphon. If you have city water pressure, the sump pump will work. As I remember it uses about 1 gal of fresh water to evacuate 10 gallons of sump water.

 

[PeetyInMich]

My lathe is not far from the sump. So, the wife couldn't possibly argue with me spending time in the basement turning pens, while monitoring the sump pump. At least that's what I hope.