Sump pump to prevent basement flooding.... good idea?

[Anonymous]

I have an outside stairwell leading to the basement downstairs. There is always some water that gets in whenever heavy rain happens and I have thought about getting a sump pump but since it's electric and if too much water fills up outside I worry of electrocution or electricity in water like what happened with the mother and her child in Chevy Chase. Anyone with a similar outside stairwell have a better solution to prevent basement flooding?

[Anonymous]

The kind of sump pump I have is installed in conjunction with a French drain ( a major installation project which involved jack hammering the basement floor to create a drain around the edge, etc). The sump pump works automatically and is encased in a way that I doubt electrocution could occur.

[Anonymous]

^^^^^^^^^^^My system works well (I have had it for 10 years), but it was not just a pump that you buy and use. It was a whole system.

[Anonymous]

^^^^^^^^^I just read about the Chevy Chase incident. Horrible incident! If you have a properly installed system, you wouldn't have standing water. I wouldn't worry about this. If your system malfunctioned and you had standing water, just don't stand in it. As far as I know, you would need a professional to install the whole thing - probably a basement company and plumber. Ask the plumber about this incident and see what he or she says.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a drain? I'd look at that or another way to divert the water first, both for safety and effectiveness reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a drain? I'd look at that or another way to divert the water first, both for safety and effectiveness reasons.

Yes, there's a drain but when there is too much water it gets clogged. What other safe suggestions or least expensive suggestions are there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a drain? I'd look at that or another way to divert the water first, both for safety and effectiveness reasons.

Yes, there's a drain but when there is too much water it gets clogged. What other safe suggestions or least expensive suggestions are there?

Bigger drain inlet w different metal top. Route drain to ensure clear. Cut down bushes/ trees causing clogging with leaves from around basement steps. Least expensive approach other than major fix.

[Anonymous]

I would also start by simply clearing the drain or rotorooting it.

[Anonymous]

Awning

[Anonymous]

Dual pumps, so that they can accommodate heavy flows, and be the back up for the other.