Totally agree, it’s usually the little things. I’m always surprised how many people forget to test their sump pump—just pouring a bucket of water in once a year can save a ton of headache. Ever tried those battery backup pumps? Worth it or overkill?
I actually went for a battery backup pump after my neighbor’s basement flooded during a power outage. It felt like overkill at first, but honestly, the peace of mind is worth it. Power goes out here more than I expected...
Definitely not overkill. I used to think the same until our area had a blackout last summer—my regular sump pump was useless, and I was bailing water by hand at 2am. Battery backup is a solid move, especially if your power flickers a lot.
- Peace of mind is worth the upfront cost.
- Maintenance is pretty minimal—just check the battery once in a while.
- If you’re handy, installation isn’t too bad either.
Honestly, it’s one of those things you hope you never need, but you’ll be glad it’s there when you do.
I’ve actually been there—wading through ankle-deep water in my basement while the cat watched from the stairs like I’d lost my mind. If you’ve got the battery backup covered, I’d add a few sandbags to your flood kit. They’re not just for dramatic news footage, they really do help slow things down at the doorways. I also swapped out all my basement storage bins for those heavy-duty plastic ones (learned that lesson the hard way with soggy cardboard boxes…). Oh, and if you’re into plants, a rain garden near your downspout can soak up a surprising amount of runoff. Might not save your socks, but it’s good for the bees.
Swapping out the cardboard boxes is key—I learned that one the hard way too. My basement flooded last year and I lost a bunch of old photos. I’d also say check your sump pump regularly, not just when rain’s in the forecast. Those things love to fail at the worst possible time...
