Articles

How Do Water-Powered Sump Pumps Work?

Post author By Water Commander
Post date November 16, 2020
Categories In Sump Pump Installation, Water-Powered

Water-powered sump pumps work using municipal water pressure as their source of power, rather than electricity.

When people first hear about water-powered backup sump pumps, they immediately have questions about how exactly this type of pump operates. Does it really pump water? How does it work?

Water Commander™ water-powered backup sump pump

We’ve assembled this complete guide explaining everything you need to know on how water-powered sump pumps work, including basic installation setup and key parts of water-powered sump pumps, while also explaining the physics behind how it pumps. (Scroll to the bottom for our video, How Do Water-Powered Sump Pumps Work?)

Our guide is specific to Water Commander™, the water-powered backup sump pump that offers unmatched pumping power and professional quality you can depend on.

Basic Pump Installation Setup

Water-Powered Backup Sump Pump Installation — Water-powered sump pump install setup

A water-powered backup sump pump requires connection to your home’s municipal water supply (either 3/4″ or 1″ line), a suction pipe going into the sump, and a discharge pipe leading out of your home. On the water line, we recommend a quality backflow preventer. (We offer a standard dual check valve or dual check valve with atmospheric vent). On the suction pipe, an intake screen and PVC check valve are also required (both are included with Water Commander™). The check-valve prevents water from flowing back into the sump pit, but does not impede pumping.

In the sump pit, a float switch is attached to the suction pipe above the primary pump and is connected to the main pump valve by flexible tubing. Water Commander’s float assembly is very simple to install and requires no tools.

Water Commander™ water-powered sump pumps can be installed either high at the ceiling joist, to the wall, or even at floor level close to the sump itself. Unlike some pumps, Water Commander™ can be installed both horizontally or vertically. (See our install page for diagrams and photos).

Key Parts of Water-Powered Sump Pumps

On the water-powered sump pump itself, there are two main components: (1) the pump jet, and (2) the valve. Additionally, the pump has three connection points for the water feed, suction pipe, and discharge pipe.

When the float switch is activated, the valve automatically opens, allowing your municipal water to flow through the pump jet, pulling water up from the sump and then discharging the water outside your home.

Pump Jet

The most important part of a water-powered pump is the pump jet, also known as a jet ejector. This is what converts your home’s municipal water pressure into a strong suction, pumping water out of your sump pit.

Ejector jet used in water-powered pumps — Ejector jet diagram

The diagram to the right shows the basic design of a jet ejector, which is used in a number of different industries. In water-powered sump pumps, the motive fluid is the municipal water. This water flows through a nozzle, which restricts the flow and simultaneously increases the water pressure within the nozzle. This increased water pressure then converts into a high velocity as it leaves the nozzle. (The same effect occurs with a garden hose nozzle).

This high speed water in turn creates a low pressure zone within the internal chamber, causing a vacuum within the pump. This affect is explained in fluid dynamics as the Bernoulli principle, which simply demonstrates that higher fluid velocity creates lower pressure.

Once the vacuum is created in the pump by using pressurized municipal water, this creates a suction that pulls the sump water up through the suction pipe. As this sump water mixes with the municipal water, it is quickly pulled out through the discharge pipe. (Related article: How Much Water Does a Water-Powered Sump Pump Use?)

Valve

Water-powered sump pump float — Water Commander float assembly

The valve, positioned in between the water feed and the pump jet, is connected by tubing to the float switch and is designed to turn the pump on and off automatically as needed. As water rises in the sump, the float rises, causing the valve to open. Once the water level in the sump decreases and disengages the float switch, the valve automatically closes, immediately stopping the pump from running.

Water Commander™ is designed to allow you to adjust the approximate run time every time the float is engaged. This allows you to run the pump longer or shorter depending on how much water in-flow you generally see in your sump.

Other Considerations

Since water-powered sump pumps derive their power completely from pressurized municipal water, there are two important points to keep in mind.

First, we generally recommend a minimum home water pressure of 40 PSI (pounds per square inch). It can run on less pressure, but you will see diminished pumping rates the lower pressure you have. You can check your water pressure yourself using a simple pressure gauge.

Secondly, water-powered backup pumps are not designed for homes on a well. If you own a home on a well, you will only have water pressure when you have power. Since water-powered sump pumps are primarily for emergency backup, they will not pump if you have no water pressure during a power outage.

Watch How It Works!

Summary

Water-powered backup sump pumps work only using your home’s municipal water. Since no electricity or batteries are used, it can be depended on to run whenever needed and as long as needed. It won’t suddenly die during a power outage or because of a dead battery.

There are no moving parts in the pump jet itself, which means it won’t break down over time. You can test the pump twice a year by simply lifting the float to make sure everything is in proper working order. It’s such a simple design, but one that can be depended upon and will last you for years to come.

Water Commander™ water-powered sump pumps are designed with the fastest pumping speed and built to the highest quality. You won’t find a backup pump that pumps as fast as Water Commander™ without ever losing power. Check out the rest of our website or contact us with any questions you might have.

Introducing Water Commander^™

Water Commander™ is the best backup sump pump system available on the market today. It’s non-electric, can out-pump your electric sump pump, and will run at full power for years to come.

It is more reliable than battery backups and is the perfect solution for homes with municipal water.

Learn More

Pumping Demo

Check out below a live pumping demonstration of Water Commander™ Model MG36.

How Much Water Does a Water-Powered Sump Pump Use?

The amount of water that water-powered sump pumps use is less than you think.

Water Commander water-powered sump pump and sump — Water Commander™ water-powered sump pump

A very common question people ask when they learn about water-powered backup sump pumps is, “How much water does it use?” This is a great question, since unlike other emergency backup pumps that use batteries, water-powered pumps rely on your home’s water pressure to generate their pumping power. You don’t have to worry about using electricity or batteries, but it does use some water.

We can’t speak to other water powered sump pumps, but we can give you an idea of how much water our Water Commander™ water-powered backup sump pump uses.

1 Gallon of City Water Pumps 2 Gallons From Your Sump

Water Commander™ uses approximately 1 gallon of city water to pump 2 gallons of water from your sump pit. This ratio improves slightly if you have higher-end pressure (70+ PSI). (See exact water usage figures for our model MG22 or model MG36).

Once the water-powered sump pump is activated, 1 gallon of city water will flow through the pump and draw out 2 gallons from the sump, discharging a total of 3 gallons outside the home.

How Much Water Does It Use In One Hour?

While Water Commander will pump as often as needed, a typical frequency during a heavy storm could be one cycle per minute. Using 3 gallons of city water to remove 6 gallons of sump water per cycle, the pump would consume 180 gallons of city water in one hour. (3 city gallons/min x 60 minutes).

Do Water-Powered Sump Pumps Use Too Much Water?

You might be wondering, is this too much water? Well, let’s look at some statistics to gain perspective. You’ll be surprised to learn that it’s fairly insignificant compared with how much water most people use during a normal day.

Typical Annual Water Usage: Equal to Running Sprinkler for One Hour

Lawn sprinkler using water — Annual water usage of a water-powered pump equals 1 hour of using a sprinkler.

Your average electrical power customer in the US in 2018 experienced an average of 6 hours of power interruption during the year according to the EIA. If, during these outages, your water-powered sump pump uses 180 gallons per hour (heavy storm scenario), this would mean the pump uses a total of 1,080 gallons of city water a year (6 hours/yr x 180 city gallons/hr = 1,080 gallons/yr).

A water-powered sump pump’s total annual usage of water of 1,080 gallons is comparable to running your sprinkler for only 1 hour, which uses 1,020 gallons. So an entire year of typical usage for a water-powered backup sump pump equals just 1 hour of watering your lawn!

Severe Scenario: Equal to Running Sprinkler for Four Hours

Let’s look at a worse case scenario—heavy rain for 24 hours while the power is out. The sump pump is running once per minute for 24 hours. Even at the 180 gallons per hour rate we cited earlier, that would only be 4,320 gallons over the course the entire day.

Using the sprinkler comparison again, that is roughly equivalent to running a standard sprinkler 4 hours over the course of a week. Remember, water-powered sump pumps aren’t keeping the lawn looking good, they are keeping homeowners from incurring thousands of dollars of expenses due to a flooded basement.

Water-Powered Sump Pumps Use a Relatively Low Amount of Water and Only in Emergencies

In reality, water-powered sump pumps are emergency backups. Most of the time, your main electric sump pump is keeping your sump empty of water. However, during a power outage or primary sump pump failure, your backup pump becomes crucial until power is restored.

Battery backup pumps often fail due to a dead battery or their limited run time. Water-powered sump pumps, however, will never run out of power. If you have to use a couple thousand gallons of water once a year (equivalent to running your sprinkler for several hours) in order to save your basement, this is well worth the small cost. According to one source, a flooded basement could cost you between $3,000 and $10,000!

Looking for a backup sump pump?

Water Commander Model MG22 — Water Commander™ backup sump pump

If you are currently looking for an emergency backup system for your sump, check out Water Commander™. Water Commander™ is a water-powered backup sump pump that runs on your home’s municipal water pressure. Since it doesn’t use any batteries or electricity, it won’t unexpectedly lose power during a storm and will run whenever you need it to. Learn more by visiting the rest of our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Introducing Water Commander^™

Water Commander™ is the best backup sump pump system available on the market today. It’s non-electric, can out-pump your electric sump pump, and will run at full power for years to come.

It is more reliable than battery backups and is the perfect solution for homes with municipal water.

Learn More

Pumping Demo

Check out below a live pumping demonstration of Water Commander™ Model MG36.

Why Independent Discharge for Your Backup Sump Pump Is Best

Post author By Water Commander
Post date October 27, 2020
Categories In Backup Sump Pumps, Primary Sump Pumps, Sump Pump Installation

While it is not uncommon for backup sump pumps to be tied into the existing discharge pipe, we recommend using an independent discharge.

When you install a emergency backup sump pump system, you have to choose between using a independent discharge pipe solely for your backup pump or tying into the preexisting discharge pipe used by your primary sump pump.

Water Commander™ backup sump pump with independent discharge — Backup sump pump with independent discharge

Although it is very common to use the existing discharge pipe, an independent discharge is preferred for three important reasons:

When you tie into an existing discharge pipe, you are creating a potential path back into the sump.
If a blockage occurs in the existing discharge pipe, this will affect both the primary pump and the emergency backup.
During extreme rainstorms, two sump pumps discharging into one pipe can be restricting and impede pumping speed.

1. Using an existing discharge creates a potential path back into the sump.

The most important reason to not connect the discharge pipe of the backup sump pump to the existing discharge coming out of the primary electric pump, is that you are creating a potential path for the discharge water coming out of the emergency backup pump to go back into the sump. You’re not just putting the discharge into a pipe that goes up and out of the home, but also a pipe that returns to the sump pit.

People generally don’t worry about this issue because they connect the emergency discharge above a check valve installed on the existing discharge pipe they are tying into. However, over time, this check valve can fail.

Sump Pump Check Valve — Zoeller check valve 30-0181 is rated to 25 PSI

There are different grades of check valves, some can withstand higher pressure than others. Every time when the emergency backup runs, you are adding water pressure that is not normally there. This can wear on a check valve, especially when the valve is relatively weak and can only withstand 25 pounds of back pressure. Many of the check valves advertised as sump pump check valves, the black rubber, hose-clamp style check valves, are only rated to 25 PSI.

Now a good check valve, like a PVC style, can withstand 75 pounds of back pressure. Yet, even then, there’s no guarantee that over the years the valve won’t fail for some reason mechanically.

https://hw.menardc.com/main/items/media/NDSDR001/ProductLarge/1520-15.jpg — PVC check valve

The best practice is to have an independent pipe for your backup sump pump. If you have to tie into the existing discharge pipe, you want to make sure to have a good quality valve below where you tie it in. If you do decide to tie into the existing discharge pipe, you need make sure to use a higher quality check valve that is rated for higher PSI than the cheaper valves often used.

2. A blockage in the discharge pipe would render both pumps useless if an independent pipe is not used.

If there is a blockage issue with the existing discharge outside, this could render both the primary and the emergency backup pump useless. For example, there are times when the discharge pipe goes into mud, which causes a blockage. We’ve also seen times when water in the discharge pipe freezes, preventing any water from leaving the pipe. Or if the discharge pipe flows into a retention pond and that pond fills with water, you will be pumping against a lake so to speak, which also prohibits flow.

If you don’t have an independent discharge and your primary electric sump pump fails due to a pipe blockage, when the backup sump pump kicks on, it will be unsuccessfully trying to pump out the same blocked pipe. It’s best to avoid this potential problem and install a second discharge pipe to reduce the risk.

3. Two pumps discharging into one pipe can restrict water flow.

The third reason is that when both the standard electric sump pump and the emergency backup need to run simultaneously, they will be putting two pumps worth of water into only one pipe. When both pumps are trying to pump out the same pipe, this causes a bottleneck. Not nearly as much water is being pumped as could be possible if they both had separate discharge pipes.

This can happen during those 100 year storms that seem to come every couple years. It may not be a typical scenario, but it does occur and we’ve seen it many times.

Conclusion: Independent discharge is preferred.

Whenever possible, we strongly recommend using an independent discharge for your backup sump pump system. While it requires additional work and may not be as aesthetically desirable, two separate discharge pipes could save your basement from flooding.

If you decide to tie into the existing discharge, make sure to use a quality check valve that is rated to 75 PSI and also regularly check your discharge pipe to ensure it won’t be blocked during a rainstorm.

Looking for a backup sump pump?

If you are currently looking for an emergency backup system for your sump, check out Water Commander™. Water Commander is a water-powered backup sump pump that runs on your home’s municipal water pressure. Since it doesn’t use any batteries or electricity, it won’t unexpectedly lose power during a storm and will run whenever you need it to. Learn more by visiting the rest of our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Introducing Water Commander^™

Water Commander™ is the best backup sump pump system available on the market today. It’s non-electric, can out-pump your electric sump pump, and will run at full power for years to come.

It is more reliable than battery backups and is the perfect solution for homes with municipal water.

Learn More

Pumping Demo

Check out below a live pumping demonstration of Water Commander™ Model MG36 for homes with 1″ water lines.

How Long Does a Backup Sump Pump Battery Last?

Post author By Water Commander
Post date October 4, 2020
Categories In Battery

Before you buy a battery-powered backup sump pump, consider how long it will run during a severe rainstorm.

We have talked with hundreds of homeowners over the years who have had their basements unexpectedly flood due to a failed battery backup sump pump system. More often than not, the culprit is a dead battery. So before you invest in a backup sump pump system, it’s important to understand exactly how long the battery in your system will last and consider alternative backup sump pump options, such as a water-powered backup sump pump.

Your backup sump pump is the last line of defense against basement flooding when there is a power outage or your primary sump pump fails, so it’s important that it protects your basement in an emergency (see our article, Why You Need a Backup Sump Pump).

Run-time of a new fully-charged battery

As a general rule of thumb, during a power outage most new fully-charged batteries will last roughly 5-7 hours of continuous pumping and roughly 1-3 days of non-continuous pumping depending on the frequency. The longer the pump runs, the less power it has. This decline in battery power continues until the pump is completely overwhelmed by the water flowing into the sump pit and your basement floods.

backup sump pump battery — Backup sump pump battery

However, not all batteries have the same power capacity. Different batteries have different AH (ampere-hour) ratings, which affect how long it will run. North Dakota State University ran tests in their lab on lead-acid batteries rated at 40, 75, and 84 ampere-hours. They found the 40 AH battery lasted less than 4 hours, while the highest rated battery lasted around 7 hours.

Not only that, but the more powerful the pump, the shorter the run-time. Generally, backup pumps are either 1/4 HP or 1/3 HP. A 1/4 HP pump will have a lower current draw from the battery, maximizing the battery life. A more powerful 1/3 HP pump may pump faster, but it will also drain the battery quicker. Often times battery backup manufacturers will recommend a more expensive battery to accompany their relatively more powerful pumps.

Because battery backup sump pumps have a limited life-span during a power outage, an alternative backup solution is the Water Commander™ water-powered sump pump. This system runs using your home’s municipal water pressure (see How Does it Work), so no batteries or electricity in any form is used. Water Commander’s pumping rates can exceed the pumping rates of standard battery backup pumps, but will maintain this pumping capacity for as long as it’s needed. It will not run out of power like battery backups.

Battery run-time decreases as it ages

However, these run times are the best case scenario. Backup sump pump systems can be several years old and still in use, which means the battery will likely perform below its optimal level. Many homeowners have found out the hard way that as a battery ages, its capacity to hold a charge also decreases. If your battery when new could run for around 7 hours continuously, after time passes it may only run for 2-3 hours or even less before losing power. Often times homeowners assume their battery has a charge, but don’t realize it is close to dying and only find out after their basement has flooded.

In wet-cell batteries, the most common type of lead-acid batteries used with sump pumps, this often happens because the lead plates within the battery become corroded over time and lose their ability to hold a charge.

As a battery ages, there will be a decrease in voltage which will effectively means there is less power and the battery will fail sooner. If you own a multimeter (also known as a volt-ohm meter or VOM meter), you can measure the voltage between the positive and negative terminal on the battery. If it is less than 12.1 volts, this is a sign the battery is aging and could fail prematurely during a rain storm.

Other causes of premature battery failure

There are a number of other factors that could negatively affect battery life. If a battery is exposed to extreme temperatures, this can affect its life. It’s also a good idea to keep the battery in a dry area. If it is exposed to water or excessive humidity, this will cause the battery to corrode quicker and lead to failures.

Consider Water Commander, the water-powered backup sump pump

If you don’t already have one, seriously consider Water Commander™ water-powered backup sump pump instead. Unlike battery backups, Water Commander™ will never lose power and maintains the same high pumping rates regardless of the pumps age or how long it has been pumping. (See our Advantages page)

Not only that, you don’t have to worry about spending hundreds of dollars replacing the battery every several years. You can just test the pump to ensure proper working order by temporarily unplugging the primary electric pump or simply lifting the float switch by hand.

If you want to learn more about the Water Commander™, check out the rest of our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we’ll help you out.

Live demonstration of a water-powered backup sump pump.

Looking for a quality backup sump pump?

Water Commander™ is the best backup sump pump system available on the market today. It’s non-electric, can out-pump your electric sump pump, and will run at full power for years to come.

It is more reliable than battery backups and is the perfect solution for homes with municipal water.

Learn More

Water-Powered vs Battery Backup Sump Pumps

Learn the key differences between battery backups and water-powered backup sump pumps.

If you are a homeowner looking to purchase a backup sump pump in addition to your primary electric pump, you have two options—a battery backup or a water-powered backup sump pump.

The most common is battery backups, which require purchasing both the pump itself and also a battery separately. However, water-powered backups have been steadily growing in popularity as homeowners become aware of their advantages. Water-powered backup sump pumps run using your home’s municipal water pressure—no batteries or electricity are needed at all.

Both types of backup sump pumps are designed to protect your basement from flooding in the case of a power failure or a mechanical failure that would prevent your primary sump pump from operating.

The question is, which does a better job and why?

We’ll take a look at 4 main criteria to compare both pumps:

Run Time: How long can the backup pump continuously run?
Life Span: What is the total life of the pump before you have to replace it?
Pumping Rates: How fast does it pump?
Cost: What is the cost of the pump over its entire life?

If you’re curious, we have a comparison chart at the bottom summarizing each criteria for both battery and water-powered backups. Let’s get into it.

1. Pump Run Time

Once you’ve installed a battery backup with a brand-new battery, you will get about 7 to 8 hours of run time. As any battery ages, its charge capacity reduces. So, while a new battery may give you 8 hours of run time, a three-year-old battery may have only 2 or 3 hours of run time. That is a critical difference. After 5 years you will see even less run time.

It is very common for homeowners that think they are protected with a battery backup to experience a flood due to an older battery. If the power outage outlasts the battery charge, you will effectively have no pump and your basement can quickly flood.

However, water-powered pumps will run for an unlimited amount of time. This is one of the primary benefits of these pumps. Since they do not need a battery, there is no need to worry about battery replacement or run-time limits.

2. Life Span

Batteries designed for backup sump pumps will last a limited amount of time. The largest manufacturer of battery backups recommends that you replace the battery with a new one every three years. In addition to the required battery replacement, battery backup sump pumps can mechanically fail after prolonged use.

The highest quality water-powered sump pump available, Water Commander^™, can last up to 20+ years. You don’t need to replace any parts, just test it twice a year by lifting the float or unplugging your electric pump.

3. Pumping Rates

The actual pumps provided with emergency battery backups typically are either 1/4 HP or 1/3 HP. Depending on how powerful the pump is, most backups are rated to pump between 800 and 2,000 GPH, but that is only with a brand new, fully-charged battery.

In actuality, emergency backups experience significantly diminished pumping rates as they age. Just as the battery’s capacity to hold a charge reduces over time (see run time), so does its ability to pump at full power. After only a year or two you may see your battery backup start to pump at a slower and slower rate as the battery spends its charge and grows weaker. The same phenomenon can be seen on a flashlight. When the battery is new the light is bright—but over time the light gets dimmer and dimmer when you turn it on—until it doesn’t work at all.

Not only that, but if you lose power and the backup is running, its pumping rate will continually reduce the longer the pump runs. In our article “How Long Does a Backup Sump Pump Battery Last?“, we cite a North Dakota State University study that found the batteries used by backup pumps last between 4-7 hours of continuous running.

Water Commander Backup Sump Pump — Water Commander^™ backup sump pump

However, the most powerful water-powered brand, Water Commander^™, can meet and exceed the pumping rates of a good electric sump pump (see pumping rate table). Our high-performance model MG22 can pump up to 1,800+ GPH, while our ultra-performance model MG36 can pump up to 2,830+ GPH (both pumps can use ¾” or 1″ water supply). It all depends on the amount of water pressure you have available in your home. The higher the pressure, the more powerful the water-powered pump. So it’s a good idea to call your local water company and ask what the water pressure is for your neighborhood. You can also check with a simple pressure gauge available at the local hardware store.

Additionally, unlike battery backups, water-powered pumps maintain the same pumping rates over time. Since your home’s municipal water pressure is the source of its energy, the pumping capacity remains consistent no matter how long ago it was installed.

4. Total Sump Pump Cost

Battery backup sump pumps are available in most home centers. A backup pump kit can run from $200 to $900 typically depending on the pumping power. In addition to the backup pump kit, you’ll have to buy the battery separate. They typically are designed to utilize one battery, similar to a car battery. Typical battery cost runs from $150 to $250, depending on the quality of the battery. In addition to these upfront costs, you will have to replace the battery every 2-3 years, which significantly increases the total cost over its lifespan.

Water-powered backup sump pumps cost levels vary depending on the style and quality. The low-cost models have lower pumping capacities and a shorter life than the professional models, but can serve you well if there is not too much water coming into your sump. But even the best water-powered pump, Water Commander^™, is still less expensive than a lower end battery backup with battery.

Summary

When you compare battery backups with water-powered backups, it’s clear that the water-powered design is the ideal backup solution for homeowners who have municipal water supply. Not only do water-powered sump pumps have unlimited run time and can last for many more years, the best brand (Water Commander^™) can out-pump battery backups and even your standard electric pump.

Head-to-head Comparison

	Battery Backups	Water Commander™
Run Time	7-8 hours with new battery, reduces over time and with each use	Unlimited
Life Span	Replace after 3 years	Up to 20+ years
Pumping Rates	Less than electric pump and loses pumping power over time	Can meet or exceed electric pumping rates
Cost	Must buy pump, separate battery, and replacement batteries every several years.	One-time purchase. Less than total cost of battery backups.

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about water-powered sump pumps, visit our main website. You can learn more why Water Commander^™ beats battery backups and is the best water-powered backup available on the market.

Live demonstration of a water-powered backup sump pump.

Looking for a quality backup sump pump?

Water Commander™ is the best backup sump pump system available on the market today. It’s non-electric, can out-pump your electric sump pump, and will run at full power for years to come.

It is more reliable than battery backups and is the perfect solution for homes with municipal water.

Learn More

Why You Need a Backup Sump Pump

Post author By Water Commander
Post date July 13, 2020
Categories In Backup Sump Pumps, Primary Sump Pumps

Homeowners often learn the hard way the many reasons why a backup sump pump is an absolute necessity.

A primary sump pump is the first line of defense against basement flooding. However, it is insufficient by itself and many homeowners have learned the hard way that in addition to the primary sump pump, a backup sump pump is also an absolute necessity. In fact, there are three important reasons why you need to install a backup sump pump system today in tandem with your primary pump:

Your primary sump pump will not run during power outages.
During heavy rains, primary sump pumps can be overwhelmed.
Primary sump pumps can fail unexpectedly.

Let’s dig into each of these reasons to have a backup sump pump.

1. Your primary sump pump will not run during power outages.

Primary sump pumps can only run when your home has electricity, since they run on standard AC power. For day-to-day use, this is great solution since it will maintain low water levels in the sump throughout the year.

However, during severe rain storms it is very common to lose electrical power leaving your home defenseless against basement flooding. In addition to electrical blackouts, power surges during thunderstorms can damage your pump and leave it inoperable as well.

In each of these scenarios, your sump will quickly fill with water and your basement will be flooded before you even realize there is a problem.

The solution is to install a backup sump pump to run alongside your primary sump pump. Water Commander™, a water-powered backup sump pump, is a great solution since it will never run out of power even during the longest power outages and has high pumping capacity, comparable to electrical sump pumps.

2. During heavy rains, primary sump pumps can be overwhelmed.

Even when your primary sump pump is operational, the high volume of water entering your sump during a rain storm can overwhelm its pumping capacity. Even with electric pumps that have pumping capacity of several thousand gallons per hour (gph), extreme rain falls and flash floods can be too much for one pump to handle.

With a backup system installed and running simultaneously with the main sump pump, you can rest easy knowing the pumping capacity of both pumps will be enough to handle severe water flows into your sump pit. In this scenario, it is always better if your backup sump pump has an independent discharge pipe, not connected to your primary electric sump pump.

3. Primary sump pumps can fail unexpectedly.

Like any piece of equipment, primary sump pumps are known to fail when you least expect it. There are any number of reasons for why it may stop working, but the most common are:

A failed switch: It is very common for switch to malfunction and fail. This often requires replacement of the entire pump. Another common problem is the float mechanism becoming lodged or restricted from moving properly in the sump pit, prohibiting the electric pump from operating.
Blocked or frozen discharge pipes: Any clog in the discharge pipes will render your pump inoperable until the blockage is removed. (A backup sump pump with an independent discharge pipe would be the ideal solution to resolve this problem.)
Normal wear-and-tear: After several years of usage, it is not uncommon for the components of a sump pump to begin to wear down and need replacement. Unless you are regularly testing the pump to ensure it still operates, you risk discovering your pump has died when your basement floods.

Each of these reasons for sump pump failure may be easily resolved, but if you don’t have a backup sump pump, you risk a flooded basement until it can be fixed.

It’s also important that your backup sump pump is reliable and will run whenever needed. While better than no secondary pump, backup sump pumps powered by batteries often fail as well. They lose power over time and have limited run times when in use.

One solution is the Water Commander™ water-powered backup sump pump, which has a high pumping capacity and will reliably pump for years since it does not use any electricity or batteries. It runs on your home’s municipal water supply, which is more dependable than the electrical power or a battery.

Install a backup sump pump today.

If you don’t already have one, seriously consider installing a backup sump pump. Don’t wait until after your basement floods to realize how important it is. Invest now and save yourself from the headache and the extra cost of a flooded basement.

If you want to learn more about the Water Commander™, check out the rest of our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we’ll help you out.

Live demonstration of a water-powered backup sump pump.

Looking for a quality backup sump pump?

Water Commander™ is the best backup sump pump system available on the market today. It’s non-electric, can out-pump your electric sump pump, and will run at full power for years to come.

It is more reliable than battery backups and is the perfect solution for homes with municipal water.

Learn More

Water-powered sump pumps work using municipal water pressure as their source of power, rather than electricity.

Basic Pump Installation Setup

Key Parts of Water-Powered Sump Pumps

Pump Jet

Valve

Other Considerations

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Introducing Water Commander™

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The amount of water that water-powered sump pumps use is less than you think.

1 Gallon of City Water Pumps 2 Gallons From Your Sump

How Much Water Does It Use In One Hour?

Do Water-Powered Sump Pumps Use Too Much Water?

Typical Annual Water Usage: Equal to Running Sprinkler for One Hour

Severe Scenario: Equal to Running Sprinkler for Four Hours

Water-Powered Sump Pumps Use a Relatively Low Amount of Water and Only in Emergencies

Looking for a backup sump pump?

Introducing Water Commander™

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While it is not uncommon for backup sump pumps to be tied into the existing discharge pipe, we recommend using an independent discharge.

1. Using an existing discharge creates a potential path back into the sump.

2. A blockage in the discharge pipe would render both pumps useless if an independent pipe is not used.

3. Two pumps discharging into one pipe can restrict water flow.

Conclusion: Independent discharge is preferred.

Looking for a backup sump pump?

Introducing Water Commander™

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Before you buy a battery-powered backup sump pump, consider how long it will run during a severe rainstorm.

Run-time of a new fully-charged battery

Battery run-time decreases as it ages

Other causes of premature battery failure

Consider Water Commander, the water-powered backup sump pump

Looking for a quality backup sump pump?

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Learn the key differences between battery backups and water-powered backup sump pumps.

1. Pump Run Time

2. Life Span

3. Pumping Rates

4. Total Sump Pump Cost

Summary

Head-to-head Comparison

Want to learn more?

Looking for a quality backup sump pump?

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Homeowners often learn the hard way the many reasons why a backup sump pump is an absolute necessity.

1. Your primary sump pump will not run during power outages.

2. During heavy rains, primary sump pumps can be overwhelmed.

3. Primary sump pumps can fail unexpectedly.

Install a backup sump pump today.

Looking for a quality backup sump pump?

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Introducing Water Commander^™

Introducing Water Commander^™

Introducing Water Commander^™