Most new homes in Vancouver that were built with a class 1 or class 2 fixture restriction have at least one sump pump, and rely upon the sump pump to move water away from their foundation and keep their basement dry.

It is imperative that these systems be checked at least once a year, and that the built in alarm system is functional. An alarm sounds when there is a failure in the system and an imminent threat that water may enter the basement. Some systems have a back up while others do not. I have personally inspected recent installations that surprisingly had no monitor or alarm. This means that at any time, the pump may fail without warning and water will begin to enter the basement. This can cause massive damage and huge costs. Having your sump pump and system checked by a professionally qualified technician is essential for your piece of mind and the protection of your home.

Although infrequent, I can remember a few occasions when Vancouver experienced an enormous amount of rainfall over short periods combined with unexpected power outages in various areas. These recent storm events wreaked havoc upon certain houses dependant on sump pumps. The inclement weather combined with power failure resulted in some sump pumps shutting down and basements flooding. Most owners are not aware of this danger. To make matters worse, if the alarm system is not battery supported, or if the battery has gone dead, the system cannot warn homeowners that the sump pump has stopped operating.

While many commercial systems have a generator backup, most residential systems do not. If you own a home with a finished basement that relies upon a sump pump, it is prudent [...]