Highland Park is a suburban municipality in Lake County, Illinois located on the North Shore of the Chicago metropolitan area. Elevations range from 580 to 725 feet above sea level and despite its lofty height above sea level, residents still ask if the need for a backup sump pump is necessary.
The short answer is yes. The long answer though, it’s because basements and crawl spaces are prone to flooding and other moisture problems and not just because the land is below or above sea level. Many factors can cause moisture problems such as the weather, cracks in the walls, melting snow, damaged or clogged rain gutters, and even pressure from the water table pushing water up through the floor.
If you have a primary sump pump, you might be safe from flooding most of the time, but if the weather becomes too severe that power is interrupted, even the most capable pump won’t be able to do its job. This is where the backup pump shines.
A battery-operated pump is not dependent on your home’s electrical supply, so if the main pump fails, the backup pump can pick off where it left and continue pumping water out of your basement or crawl space even during power interruptions. Also, in case the main pump fails mechanically due to overuse or lack of maintenance, your backup pump should be able to pick up the slack.
Solutions for Those Without Backup Pumps
The first thing to do if you are without a backup pump is to have one installed. You can call a Perma-Seal professional to purchase one and have it installed immediately.
After that, make sure you have your main pump checked regularly to see if it is still in good working condition. If not, have it repaired. You can’t rely on the backup pump to act as the main pump. If so, you’d need a backup to the backup!
Benefits to Highland Park Homeowners
A basement free from floods and moisture problems can help save you thousands of dollars in damage and repairs. Moisture problems can cause deterioration of the foundation, mold and fungi growth, damage to belongings stored in your basement, and health issues such as allergies and respiratory ailments.
A dry basement frees you from these issues, thus giving you and your family a stress- and worry-free home during the wettest of seasons.