If you’re a homeowner in Maryland, you’re well acquainted with the importance of a sump pump. It’s one of the first lines of defense homes have against heavy rainwater, groundwater seepage or sudden flooding.
However, primary sump pumps are vulnerable and rely on a steady supply of power. To combat this weakness, a backup sump pump can be essential.
Primary Sump Pump Limitations
Germantown is a region known for its frequent storms and power outages, and a primary sump pump is useless without electricity. This leaves your basement vulnerable to heavy downpours.
Besides power outages, primary sump pumps don’t necessarily perform well during heavy storms. This is because during them, they tend to run nonstop managing water invading the residence. This continuous operation often causes most motors to overheat.
Worn down sump pumps are particularly vulnerable to overuse-related failure. One of the first things residents do to combat this failure is call for maintenance. While sump pump service in Germantown can help, it is a band-aid fix in most cases.
Primary pumps face other challenges besides power and overuse, as well.
Clogging Issues
One of these issues is clogging. Over the years, dirt, debris, gravel and even small roots find their way into the sump basin, causing serious clogging that inhibits the pump’s intake screen and impeller – a frequent issue for Germantown plumbing.
Home owners usually don’t identify clogging in time to prevent basement flooding because primary sump pumps tend to run even against blockages, which strains the motor – leading to eventual failure and flooding. Even Germantown plumbers can only do so much for a sump basin that’s been clogged for years.
How Backup Sump Pumps Help
Backup sump pumps have two advantages that combat the previously outlined issues. It’s why plumbing services in Germantown usually recommend them. They are:
- Relying on battery-based power. Backup sump pumps automatically kick in when the primary unit fails or the power is lost, and since they don’t rely on power, they prove invaluable during storms.
- Preventing over-use: Backup sump pumps give the primary motor time to rest and cool down, which is paramount to preventing failure, overheating and degradation.
- Relying on two pumps gives homeowners the time to maintain the inactive pump. This prevents issues like a clogged sump basin.
Back-up systems can be a smart long-term investment. The cost of installation also pales in comparison to the cost of a full basement cleanup, hiring a water line repair service, or repairing water-damaged drywall and flooring in the event of basement flooding

Your 1 Plumber – Experts in Sump Pump Protection
At Your 1 Plumber, we’ve helped homeowners with sump pump services in Germantown for years. We keep customers’ homes protected and their primary or backup pumps in tip-top shape.
We offer flat-rate pricing and our technicians have hands-on experience working in sump pump maintenance, motor repair, declogging, basin clean-up, and back-up sump pumps service.
Call us today to make all your water management issues disappear!