Updated: June 7th, 2024

From clogged drains and old pipes to heavy rains and snow thaw, water can back up into a house for many reasons. One common way to help combat water backup is to equip your home with a sump pump.

What Is a Sump Pump and How Does It Work?

Sump pumps are mechanical devices designed to remove water from your home and divert it safely away from your foundation. They are installed in a pit known as a basin at the lowest point of your home, usually the basement. When water reaches a certain level, a sump pump activates and pumps water through the discharge pipe, which empties outside your home.

Do I Need a Sump Pump?

As a homeowner, preventing water damage should be a top priority. All it takes is one heavy rainstorm to cause devastating damage to your home. Here are four reasons you may need a sump pump:

• You have a finished basement: With a finished basement often comes electronics, furniture, and other costly items. Installing a sump pump can help keep your personal property safe from water damage.
• You live in a rainy climate: With higher rates of precipitation comes higher risks of flooding. To increase your odds of keeping your basement dry, you should consider investing in a sump pump.
• Your home has a history of water damage: When water finds its way through once, it will likely do it again. So if your basement has ever flooded after rainfall or as a result of snow melting, a sump pump is a good idea.
• Your neighborhood is prone to floods: If your home is in a flat area, you may be at a greater risk for flash floods, making the use of a sump pump critical to helping to prevent or reduce water backup and damage.

Common Causes of Sump Pump Failure

You have a sump pump but your basement flooded anyway? There are several reasons this could have happened such as:

• Power outage: Like most appliances, a sump pump needs power to work. Without a battery backup, your sump pump will stop running when your home’s power goes out, which can be a serious issue during heavy rainstorms.
• Heavy rainfall or large amounts of snow thawing: Sometimes a sump pump simply cannot keep up with a large influx of water. This may be because the unit is too small or it has overheated.
• Lack of maintenance or old age: With proper maintenance, the average lifespan of a sump pump is 10 years. However, a sump pump’s lifespan is greatly influenced by how often it is used, so you may need to replace it sooner.

How to Prevent Sump Pump Failure

While sump pumps are a great way to help protect your home from water damage, they are not foolproof. Luckily, there are easy steps you can take to help prevent overflows and keep your sump pump in working order:

• Invest in a sump pump battery backup: Sump pumps must be plugged in to function, so when the power goes out, so does your sump pump. A sump pump battery backup enables the sump pump to keep running when the power cuts out. Remember to replace the batteries every few years.
• Utilize a sump pump alarm: This electronic device helps alert homeowners when the basin’s water level is too high or when the power goes out. If your sump pump model does not have an alarm, you can typically install one with ease.
• Perform routine maintenance: Every six months or so, you should clean the grate to ensure dirt and debris is not accumulating. Additionally, you should regularly check that the pump is sitting upright and the discharge piping is free of any obstructions.
• Test the pump: Dump water into the reservoir on a dry day to make sure the pump is functioning properly and draining in a timely manner. You should do this before your area’s rainy season so you have adequate time to make any repairs. If you find any issues or have questions, contact a reputable technician.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sump Pump Failure?

While many homeowners insurance policies protect against some types of water damage, sump pump overflows are generally not covered. At Westfield, we offer an affordable Water Back Up and Sump Discharge or Overflow endorsement to help fill the gap and provide an additional layer of financial protection.

This optional water backup coverage may pay for damages in the event of a sewage or drain backup or a malfunctioning sump pump. This usually includes personal property such as furniture and electronics as well as structural items like your home’s flooring and walls. However, our water backup endorsement does not typically cover the repair or replacement of the sump pump unit itself. Always read your policy closely and verify your insurance coverage with your agent.

Add Sump Pump Failure Insurance Coverage to Your Westfield Homeowners Policy

If you live in an area that gets a lot of storms or where power outages are common, you may want to consider water backup coverage — especially if you have a finished basement. Our agents are standing by to help ensure you have the water-protection coverage you need. Contact a Westfield agent to determine if sump pump insurance is right for you.