How a Power Outage Can Lead to a Flooded Basement

During a power outage, many people think immediately of the perishable food in their refrigerator, their lack of internet access, and how they're going to keep the house warm or cool, depending on the season. However, if your home has a sump pump, there's a much greater concern you may not think of until it's too late: a flooded basement.

Almost all sump pumps run on electricity and when they stop working, water can quickly enter the basement and cause a disastrous flood. Storms and heavy winds are often responsible for sump pumps failing, but not always - in many cases, animals are to blame. Squirrels, raccoons, mice, birds, snakes, and other critters can damage electrical systems and cause power outages, triggering your sump pump to quit working. Fortunately, at Critter Guard, our Line Guard and Pole Guard systems can keep animals from accessing power lines and other electrical systems altogether, minimizing power outages and the chance of a creature-caused basement flood.

How Sump Pumps Work

Sump pumps fall into the category of things people don't think much about until they're suddenly not working. However, a sump pump is actually one of the most important appliances in any home. It sits in or just below the basement and collects excess water, such as rain from a heavy storm. The sump pump then pumps that water away from your home, typically on a grade to ensure it doesn't run right back into the house.

Preventing Sump Pump Failure

One way you can protect your home against a failed sump pump and flooded basement is to have a battery backup for the pump. You could also invest in a generator, however, these only help if the sump pump fails and will get you through just a few hours in a power outage.

A more long-term, preventive solution is having our Line Guard and Pole Guard products installed. By deterring animals and keeping them away from power lines and utility poles, you can prevent power outages and in turn, sump pump failure and flooding.

To learn more about how our humane wildlife control products can protect your home against basement flooding, contact us today!