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Does My Sump Pump Need a Backup? Free Checker
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Answer six quick questions. We use the risk factors from the City of Ann Arbor's sump pump backup guide and tell you whether a backup is worth it, and which types fit.
Safety first. Sump pumps run on household power in a wet place. Unplug the pump before you handle it, stay out of standing water that is near outlets, a panel or appliances, and hire a licensed electrician or plumber for wiring and plumbing work. Check local codes and permit rules. This safety note is ours, not from a source.
How this checker works
- The questions come from Ann Arbor, Michigan's guide. It says to weigh how often you lose power, how much is invested in your basement, how old the sump pump and check valve are, whether the basement has flooded and how active the footing drains are.
- The pump-age band uses Boston's estimate of a 7 to 10 year useful life for a sump pump installation.
- The scoring is our own rule of thumb. The sources do not give a points system. Treat it as a prompt to think, not a verdict.
- Water source matters. Consumer Reports says water-powered backups aren't an option for homeowners on well water.
How to test your main pump
- Make sure the discharge pipe outside is not plugged and directs water away from the house (NDSU Extension).
- Make sure the pump is plugged in, then use a flashlight to check that the pit has nothing in it that could plug the pump.
- Pour water slowly into the pit until the float turns the pump on. Try to match how fast water normally flows in.
- Watch the float and listen. Make the pump turn on and off at least twice. If it sounds like it is pumping gravel or the float is sluggish, you may need a new pump (NDSU Extension).
More in sump pump not working.
Ready to compare backup types?
A backup keeps the basement dry when the power goes out or the main pump fails. Read the pros and cons of battery, water-powered and generator options first.
Battery vs water-powered backupBrowse battery backup pumpsRelated guides
- Battery and water-powered backup pumps
- Sump pump not working: signs and repair
- What is a sump pump?
- Sump pump cost
Sources
- City of Ann Arbor, Michigan: Sump Pump Backup Options (PDF)
- City of Ann Arbor, Michigan: Water Powered Backup Maintenance (PDF)
- City of Boston: Flood Retrofits (cost and useful-life figures are the city's estimates)
- Consumer Reports: Sump Pump Backup System Buying Guide (updated March 21, 2025)
- NDSU Agriculture and Extension: Sump Pumps
- NDSU Extension: Check Your Sump Pump Now (March 14, 2016)
- NDSU Extension: Electric Backup Sump Pumps for Houses – Quick Tips for Battery Selection (PDF)
Free printable: Sump Pump Fall Check
A ten-minute test before the wet season. Download the one-page PDF now, or get it by email along with a short series of five helpful emails.