Does a Sump Pump Work if The Power Goes Out?

Since a sump pump relies on electricity, it won’t work during a power outage unless you use a backup battery. With nature’s tendency to hurl electricity-failing storms and lightning strikes at us homeowners occasionally, you should definitely be aware of the condition of or consider a new sump pump.

We can guide you through a number of options available to ensure that your sump pump works even if the power goes out:

How does a sump pump work?

A sump pump is designed to remove excess water that collects in the sump pit, typically located in a home’s basement. When the water in the pit reaches its top level, a float switch is triggered, and the sump pump turns on, pumping the water out of the pit and away from the home’s foundation.

Always, always keep a cover on your sump pit. Renovation materials and small objects can catch in the pump seizing it and preventing it from working. 

How can you test a sump pump to make sure it works?

As a device that helps keep your basement dry, sump pump maintenance is essential. Especially in the wintertime, just before spring thaws and rain, test your sump pump to ensure it works properly. 

• Pour a full pail of water (approximately 20 litres) into the sump pit. 
• The float should rise.
• The pump should turn on at this time and pump the water out.
• It will turn itself off when the water is removed.

Best Plumbing and Drainage Contractors can help you with your sump pump maintenance and wet basement. Read our promise of professional work on every wet basement problem we encounter here.

What occurrences trigger water accumulation in your basement?

• Heavy rainfall that has nowhere to go, that instead collects at your home’s foundation walls. 
• Ice melting off your roof and running down the wall of the house instead of existing properly by way of the eavestroughs.
• Cracks in a concrete foundation wall, either caused by stress or overexposure to moisture. 
• Mortar between block or brick foundations crumbles and fails when exposed to wetness for long periods, allowing moisture to pass through the foundation wall.

• Power outages that are caused by weather-related incidents, tree accidents, construction accidents, or city issues like a strained grid system, aged infrastructure, or loss of extended power supply.
• Your sump pump may be old and will stop working.

How to Keep a Sump Pump Working Even if The Power Goes Out.

Unfortunately, most sump pumps rely on electricity, so they stop working if the power goes out. This can be a major problem, especially during heavy rainstorms or other weather events that are likely to cause power outages. 

Invest in a sump pump battery backup system: 

• A battery backup provides power to your sump pump in case of a power outage. 
• Your home’s electrical system charges it.
• When the power goes out, the battery backup system kicks in, providing power to your sump pump for several hours. 
• When the power comes back on, it charges itself again, and the primary pump will take over.

Install a generator: 

• A generator is designed to provide backup power to your home in the event of a power outage. 
• You can connect a generator to your sump pump, which will automatically turn on during a power outage. It will keep your sump pump running until power is restored.

Look into a water-powered backup system: 

• Water-powered backup systems are another option that can help to ensure that your sump pump continues to work even if the power goes out. 
• They use the pressure from your home’s municipal water supply to power the sump pump.

Request a quote or call us with your current plumbing or drainage issue at (519) 438 6565.