sump pump

How to Enhance Flood Protection with a Battery Backup Pump in Woodbridge NJ

Battery Backup Pump in Woodbridge NJ

Most homeowners struggle to control water in the basements. The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) says almost 70% of homes aged over 5 years will experience some form of basement leakage. Maintaining a dry can be a daunting task, but with a well installed sump pump system you can easily handle the situation. For this waterproofing solution to work, there must be a primary AC pump and a battery backup pump.

A sump pump system is crucial in drawing both ground water and surface water and directing it away from the basement floor. However powerful your primary pump is, it is important to appreciate the importance of a backup in various situations.

Below are some pertinent issues regarding a backup pump that you need to understand;

How the Battery Backup Pump Works

This pump is mostly installed adjacent to the primary pump and runs on a 24 or 12 DC power supply. The backup system has a float switch that detects rising water levels and immediately goes to work. If the battery is full, the pump can run for several days making it suitable in case of storms. In essence, the battery backup pump aids the primary pump in case of problems. Some of the common problems that require a backup include:

  1. Low or no power supply to the primary pump
  2. Failure of the primary pump
  3. Lending a hand to a struggling primary pump

Buying Your Primary Pump Backup

For this system to work optimally, you have to consider these features when installing one:

  • Capacity: Always buy a backup pump that is of the same or higher capacity than the primary pump. A low capacity backup is counterproductive and might also fail to drive away the rising water.
  • Alert system: Modern backup pumps have automatic alarm systems that go off in case of technical problems or when it is activated.
  • Buy a second battery and get it installed in case there is a long power outage.

Why You Need a Primary Pump Backup

Most homeowners are convinced that their primary pumps have the capacity to keep their basements safe. However, studies have shown increased precipitation in most regions poses a danger to any property. A battery backup pump protects your valuables and prevents foundation damage by ensuring this space remains dry. A perpetually damp basement is also a health risk to your family due to high humidity and toxic mold growth, hence the need to keep your home dry.

Talk to a basement waterproofing contractor today and consult on the best backup pump to install.

foundation wall cracks

Reasons Why Your Foundation Wall Cracks During Winter

Foundation Wall Cracks

Many people are concerned about their basements when Fall comes around. However, you should just be as concerned about the state of your basement in the winter as you are in the Fall. This is because the freezing temperatures of the winter months can cause a lot of damage to your foundation walls.

Frost Heaving

Science has proven that when water freezes it actually expands. This means the same volume of water will occupy a much larger space when it turns to ice. This characteristic of water is the reason for frost heaving.

Frost heaving occurs when water in the upper levels of the soil freezes. As the water in the top layers freezes, it draws more water. Because water expands when it freezes, the frozen soil will exert more pressure on the foundation walls as it seeks more space to occupy. This results in uneven pressure being exerted on the wall. Foundation wall cracks are therefore likely to form.

In many instances, the pressure against the foundation results in hairline cracks that aren’t readily recognizable in concrete foundations. If you have a block or stone wall, the cracks are likely to occur in the mortar joints.

If you don’t get your foundation some professional attention, the problems are only likely to get worse. Foundation wall cracks are likely to become larger over time. They are also likely to get worse when the cycle repeats itself in the next winter.

How to protect your foundation wall

You can’t prevent the winter from coming in. Neither can you prevent the water in the soil from freezing. The best approach to dealing with this problem is protecting your foundation.

  • Find a reliable contractor to help you determine the root cause of the cracks that you’ve noticed in your foundation wall. The only way to deal with a problem is to deal with the cause of the problem first.
  • Have your contractor install drain tile to guide water away from your foundation. This ensures that water does not collect near your foundation and therefore reduces the pressure against the foundation.
  • Insulate the foundation of your home to prevent heat loss. Insulating reduces the chances of frosting too.
  • Ensure that your landscape slopes away from your foundation. This prevents water from running towards your foundation.

Be sure to talk to a foundation waterproofing expert to ensure that all areas are covered.