Sump Pump Alarm

[whistlepig]

I have a water softener and well water filtration system that both back flush themselves into the pit for our basement sump pump. My concern is that if the sump pump fails the basement will be flooded. I'll admit this is a bad design. It came with the house. Has anyone had to deal with something like this?

 

[schmism]

if its that much of a concern put in a second pump. twice the chance it wont fail.

 

[JB4310]

Don't know how much water those things back flush, but doubt it is near as much as what the pump was originally installed for, which of course is storm related ground water.

It's common for people to use the sump pump pits for other misc drain purposes like dehumidifiers etc.

Seen others where they drain showers and sinks as well as washing machines in there. That's kinda unsanitary, being "gray" water it will stink.
If you have clean water going in there then you should be ok.

As far a an alarm goes, they do make them, it's a simple sensor that's placed near the top of the pit and sets off an audible signal, it could also go through a home security system so someone could be notified if no one was home at the time.

Sump Pump Alarms @ Sump Pumps Direct - Your Online Sump Pump Alarm Superstore

There are a couple different type of back up pump systems. the most common being a 12 volt second pump that would kick in if the utility power was down. Those use a 12 volt pump and separate discharge line.
The better way is an inverter system, it uses deep cell 12 volts also but converts it to 115 volts, so you just plug existing pump into inverter unit and plug unit into wall. works just like the UPS computer power back up systems, where it seamlessly switches over.

Sumpro SUMPRO - SUMPRO Fully-Automatic 1800W Auxiliary Power Source

Not cheap but nice cause can be used for any 110 volt power need in an emergency.

JB

 

[BobRip]

The thing I don't like about a sump pump is that most of the time when you need it is after or during a storm, and most of the time power is down is the same. I do think the alarm is a good idea. I have one on my septic tank pump.

 

[whistlepig]

Thanks JB4310. The alarm system is just what I was looking for. That's redundancy enough. It's clean water. Just back flush from the water filtration system and the water softener. Our basement is dry. Even in very wet weather.

 

[JB4310]

Thanks JB4310. The alarm system is just what I was looking for. That's redundancy enough. It's clean water. Just back flush from the water filtration system and the water softener. Our basement is dry. Even in very wet weather.

Was just looking at the site, I didn't know they had these this cheap, where it just dials your cell phone, doesn't have to go thru third party security company.

http://www.sumppumpsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-THP201/p1099.html


You could probably get the simple audible alarm at Home Depot.

jb

 

[MikePA]

There are a couple different type of back up pump systems. the most common being a 12 volt second pump that would kick in if the utility power was down. Those use a 12 volt pump and separate discharge line.
The better way is an inverter system, it uses deep cell 12 volts also but converts it to 115 volts, so you just plug existing pump into inverter unit and plug unit into wall. works just like the UPS computer power back up systems, where it seamlessly switches over.

Sumpro SUMPRO - SUMPRO Fully-Automatic 1800W Auxiliary Power Source

Not cheap but nice cause can be used for any 110 volt power need in an emergency.

Wow, nice product but at that price you could buy a 3000 kw Honda generator.

 

[sawdust_maker]

I have a water softener and well water filtration system that both back flush themselves into the pit for our basement sump pump. My concern is that if the sump pump fails the basement will be flooded. I'll admit this is a bad design. It came with the house. Has anyone had to deal with something like this?

I'd argue this was a foolish way to do it. For example, when they put in a water system into our basement, they routed the effluent from a softener and two filters into our sump crock. No problem that I saw at the time. After all, they must know what they are doing. A few months later the sump pump died from the salt and other crap periodically being dumped into the crock.

I replaced the pump, but not before I ran the effluent from the backwashes into the outflow line after the pump. No problems now, since the pump never sees any backwash water. And since the backwash effluent comes out under pressure, there was never any need to pump it up out of the basement anyway.

John

 

[CurlyDave]

Thanks JB4310. The alarm system is just what I was looking for. That's redundancy enough. It's clean water. Just back flush from the water filtration system and the water softener. Our basement is dry. Even in very wet weather.

I don't think it is nearly as benign as your do. While it doesn't have a lot of biodegradable stuff that will support bacteria and smelly, slimey stuff, the salt from the water softener is pretty corrosive. I would not want that under my house, both from the standpoint of corrosion of the sump pump, and even worse corrosion of re-bar and hold-downs in the concrete.

My softener has a pump in it, and if yours does, you may be able to route the drain line outside the house and far enough away to avoid issues, using a plastic line. The salt will also poison vegetation, so don't just dump it in the flower bed.

I drain mine into the ditch beside my driveway, where poisoning vegetation is a good thing.

 

[MikePA]

If you're concerned about the backwash of the water softener harming the sump pump and vegetation, use potassium chloride pellets instead of sodium chloride pellets.

 

[kenstrac]

I'd argue this was a foolish way to do it. For example, when they put in a water system into our basement, they routed the effluent from a softener and two filters into our sump crock. No problem that I saw at the time. After all, they must know what they are doing. A few months later the sump pump died from the salt and other crap periodically being dumped into the crock.

I replaced the pump, but not before I ran the effluent from the backwashes into the outflow line after the pump. No problems now, since the pump never sees any backwash water. And since the backwash effluent comes out under pressure, there was never any need to pump it up out of the basement anyway.
John

This is probably the best suggestion here, just add a couple of check valves.