[ Service ] Basement Waterproofing Est. 2009

The Power Goes Out When Storms Hit Hardest, Your Backup Sump Pump Shouldn't

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At a glance
Typical cost $400–$1,200+ installed depending on backup system type and existing basin configuration.
Process steps 4
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[ 01 ]  The Honest Answer

What you should know about backup sump pump installation

Why a Backup Sump Pump Is Essential in Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee's most damaging basement flooding events follow a predictable pattern: a severe thunderstorm drops several inches of rain, soil saturates rapidly, and your sump pump works overtime, right as the power goes out. A primary sump pump without a backup is only protected under ordinary conditions. A battery backup or water-powered backup system ensures continuous operation through exactly the conditions that matter most.

Ground Up Foundation Repair installs backup sump pump systems alongside existing primary pumps or as part of complete waterproofing installations. Whether your primary pump is reaching the end of its service life, you have experienced flooding during past power outages, or you are setting up a waterproofing system from the start, a backup unit is one of the highest-value additions you can make to your basement protection system.

Types of Backup Sump Pumps We Install

  • Battery backup systems: A secondary pump on its own DC battery system, installed in or adjacent to the primary basin. Activates automatically when the primary pump fails or loses power.
  • Water-powered backup pumps: Use municipal water pressure rather than electricity to eject water from the basin. Require no battery charging and activate purely hydraulically.
  • Combination primary and backup units: Integrated systems with both primary and backup pumps in a single basin assembly, simplifying installation and monitoring.

Call Ground Up Foundation Repair at (615) 880-6449 to add a backup sump pump to your basement protection system.

$400–$1,200+ installed depending on backup system type and existing basin configuration. Typical cost range for this service, depending on scope and site conditions.
When this isn't the fix: A backup sump pump is most effective when the primary sump and interior drainage system are properly sized and functioning. If the primary drainage system is undersized or in disrepair, address those issues first so both pumps have a correctly functioning system to work within.

[ 02 ]  How It Works

What to expect, start to finish

Primary System Assessment

We inspect your existing sump pump, basin size, discharge routing, and power source to determine the appropriate backup system type and configuration for your home.

Backup System Selection

We recommend a battery backup, water-powered backup, or combination system based on your pump's location, water volume, electrical configuration, and the specific risk factors at your property.

Installation and Integration

The backup unit is installed in or adjacent to the existing basin and integrated with the primary pump's discharge line. Battery systems are connected to a trickle charger to maintain readiness between uses.

Testing and Walkthrough

We test the backup system by simulating primary pump failure and confirming the backup activates correctly. We walk you through the alarm indicators, battery maintenance schedule, and what to check after a storm event.

Every basement waterproofing system we install includes a backup sump pump conversation. The storms that flood Middle Tennessee basements are the same ones that knock out power. Your primary pump is useless without power. A backup changes that entirely.
DV
Derek Veselich
Derek Veselich, Owner, Ground Up Foundation Repair

[ 03 ]  Why Ground Up

The difference is in the diagnosis

Get several quotes and you'll see a wide range of prices. The gap isn't luck. It's whether the contractor finds the actual cause and stands behind the work.

  • In-house certified crews: we never subcontract your repair
  • Optional independent third-party engineer review on larger jobs
  • Honest three-tier triage: we tell you what can wait, in writing
  • Family owned from the same Shelbyville Highway address since 2009
Installing an exterior French drain system with perforated pipe.
[ 04 ]  FAQ

Backup Sump Pump Installation questions

Battery backup run time depends on the battery capacity and how frequently the pump cycles. A fully charged battery on a modern backup unit can typically power the pump for 5 to 12 hours of moderate operation. In high-volume situations where the pump cycles very frequently, run time is shorter.

Yes. Backup sump pumps are typically installed to use the same discharge line as the primary pump, with a check valve preventing backflow between the two. This simplifies installation and avoids creating a separate hole through the foundation wall for a second discharge line.

Most battery backup systems have indicator lights showing battery charge status and whether the backup has activated since the last test. We recommend testing the backup annually by unplugging the primary pump and letting the basin fill until the backup activates.

Battery backup pumps run on electricity stored in a charged battery and activate when power is lost or the primary pump fails. Water-powered backup pumps use municipal water pressure to eject sump water, using no electricity at all. Battery backups are more powerful; water-powered backups never run out of charge but require adequate water pressure.

Yes. Most sealed lead-acid batteries in backup sump systems should be replaced every 3 to 5 years as a preventive measure. A battery that tests fine during dry weather may fail to deliver adequate current under the load of storm conditions.

[ 06 ]  Customer Reviews

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Where we work

Headquartered in Murfreesboro,
serving Middle Tennessee

From red-clay Rutherford County soil to Nashville’s high water tables and Cookeville’s karst limestone, we know the ground beneath your home.

Also serving: La Vergne, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Lebanon, Clarksville, Tullahoma, Nolensville, Antioch + 100 more cities →

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