Because of the water needed to operate them water sump pumps are more expensive to run. Before getting started make sure, the area where you will be working is clean and dry. While purchasing the sump pump you will also need to purchase a rechargeable 12-volt battery, a good long-term investment would be a marine deep cycle battery they are more expensive but they will run for a longer period, and their shelf life is longer when unused. When you purchase the sump pump a water level sensor, needed piping, and a check valve should be included. The check valve is usually placed in front of the pipes to prevent a back flow into the primary pump when the backup pump is being used. You need to purchase PVC suction pipe, plastic of copper piping, discharge pipe, and a plumbing kit (if needed).

For a water powered model, the mounting must be positioned over the main sump pump. You will need to connect the water supply to the new pump. If you are installing a battery powered model make, sure it is fully charged then connects it near the main pump then connects it to the discharge pipe. With the water powered sump pump an extra step is needed yo,u must attach plastic or copper piping from the backup sump pump to your water supply. Regardless of which type you install the rest if the instructions remain the same for both types of units. Add the PVC suction pipe running it to the bottom of the sump pit, emptying the entire pit. Finally hook up the discharge pipe to the primary discharge or to the outside.

Testing once a month is recommended to assure the backup pump will work when needed. A good time to test your back up system is after a rainstorm. The main sump pump will need to be temporarily disconnected from its power source to the backup system. A battery charger with a trickle charge can be used to monitor and test the battery making sure it has adequate fluid on the inside and is retaining a full charge.

Strategically placing a battery powered water alarm a few inches below the top of the sump well can alert you with a loud shrill alarm if the pumping system fails and the water level rises too high alerting you of a potential problem.

Take a marble and watch to see which way it rolls. The corner of the wall it rolls toward is the most advantageous place for the pump. Now make sure of three things before you go buy a pump. Number one, where is the power supply in reference to the placement of the pump? It should be within six feet unless you have an extension cord. Is the power supply close to the floor? It should be higher, preferably on the ceiling. An easy way to create a sump pump power supply is to purchase a light fixture add on that has outlets. Screw it into the overhead light and plug your pump into it. The pump will turn on and off with the light switch.

Now you need to know where you are going to put the water. It is probably an infraction of city ordinances to pump the water into the sewer or storm system. Usually you can run a hose from the pump to a place in your yard away from the house. However, you do need a clear path for the hose. A crimped hose will keep the pump from working.

Once you have planned the placement of your basement sump pump and the disposal of the water you are ready to look at how much flooding your basement suffers. Unless your basement develops more than an inch of water, most pumps will be of little benefit to you. In this case, you will save a great deal of money and frustration if you contact a contractor about sealing your basement against water.

The last piece of this frustrating puzzle is determining what kind of basement sump pump you need. There are dozens to choose from and the best choice will depend on water depth, water output, and sturdiness of the pump. Most wet basement sufferers can get a small, submersible pump that puts out up to thirty gallons of water per hour. These usually run just over a hundred dollars. The trick to keeping them running is to keep both the water depth sensor and the intake unit clean. Put the pump in a flat strainer, such as a deep fat frying strainer. The strainer keeps the pump from sitting directly on the floor and still allows water to reach the pump.

A tall basement sump pump is better for water more than a foot deep. However, most of these are not submersible. A float monitors the water depth, as much as three feet, and trips the on off switch when it drops. Again, they are not terribly expensive and any hardware store can help you pick out the best basement sump pump for your needs.