Seems pricey, but maybe cheaper than cleanup costs...
Battery backups can definitely save you some headaches. A buddy of mine had one installed after his basement flooded twice (yeah, twice...poor guy). He swears by it now. They're not super cheap, but like you said, probably less than cleanup costs and replacing ruined stuff. I guess the real question is how often your area loses power during storms? If outages are common, I'd lean towards getting one just for peace of mind.
Battery backups are definitely worth considering, especially if your sump pump sees regular action. I've seen way too many flooded basements after storms—trust me, it's not pretty. Even if power outages aren't super frequent, it only takes one bad storm to cause serious damage. Honestly, I'd rather spend a bit upfront than deal with the stress and cleanup afterward...just my two cents.
Battery backups are a solid recommendation, definitely seen them save the day more than once. But speaking of seasonal plumbing prep, anyone here ever had issues with outdoor faucets freezing up? Every winter I get calls from folks who forgot to drain their hoses...can turn messy real quick. Curious if you guys have any tricks to remind yourselves or prep for colder months—I always suggest marking calendars but open to new ideas.
I've seen plenty of frozen faucets too—it's always the hose left connected that gets people. Ever tried those insulated faucet covers? They're cheap and easy to spot, might help jog your memory when winter rolls around.
Insulated covers can help, sure, but honestly they're not foolproof. I've seen faucets freeze even with those things on. Better to install a frost-free faucet if you're really worried... saves headaches down the line.