My basement theater is 2-3 weeks away from completion (drywall is hung, textured, and primed, being painted this weekend).

In the coming weeks I have to install the drop ceiling and recessed lighting, then the carpet tiles, and trim/finishing touches.
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We've owned our home for 2 years.

Spring of 2009, I walked into the basement to find 1" of water everywhere. The reason = the sump pump did not even attempt to turn on (extremely heavy rains that caused major problems in Toledo in spring 2009). I shook the discharge pipe, and voila, it turned on. The switch was stuck in the 'down' position. Being a 23 year old new homeowner at the time, I didn't know crap about sump pumps. So I took it out and cleaned it, and tested it by filling it with a hose a few times, and it worked.

2 weeks ago, after finishing framing/electrical work in the basement, we get a massive downpour that causes some flooding everywhere. So, I keep my eye on the sump pump and it rises to the top, and I had to shake the pipe again to avoid a disaster.

For the past year I've kept my eye on the sump pump almost daily. Our pit it almost completely empty, and I have only seen the water level rise 1 time since the inch of water got in, and this was after the heavy downpour a couple weeks back.

So, I've done a ton of research and purchased a Zoeller M-53 sump pump (from my reading on many forums, it seems to be the most praised pump available). Shipped today, will install in the next week or so. I also picked up an alarm at Home Depot that gives off an extremely high pitched/annoying noise when the water touches the sensor.

With a newly finished basement, that is still not enough for me to be completely comfortable....

I want to buy a backup battery powered system, or a backup water powered system.

Anyone have any experiences with either type of backup, or any other recommendations?

Buy a generator to run the pump in case you lose power during one of the storms.

Probably a good idea buying a new pump. The alarm is a novel idea. I've wanted to install a backup electric generator, but just don't have the $ to do it right now.

One thing you might want to do is to take pics of the basement once you get it finished and provide them to you insurance agent with details about your sump system. Some insurance companies can be real pricks about flood damage.

Apple wrote: Probably a good idea buying a new pump. The alarm is a novel idea. I've wanted to install a backup electric generator, but just don't have the $ to do it right now.

One thing you might want to do is to take pics of the basement once you get it finished and provide them to you insurance agent with details about your sump system. Some insurance companies can be real pricks about flood damage.

The alarms are pretty sweet --- $10 at Home Depot, just set it nearby and drop the sensor in the pit.

I have taken pics along the way, and will continue to take them until the project is complete --- thanks for the suggestion. I did confirm that I already pay for a rider that covers the backup of sewage and failure of a sump pump, but better to be safe and have proof of the value of everything down there...

Just don't send the pictures to the city or county or they will revalue your home for tax purposes. And if they ask about your basement, tell them it is a scary mess and you are afraid to go down there alone

I have a watchdog backup sump & it's saved my ass a few times when it rained extra hard and the sump pump couldn't keep up and the backup turned on and assisted it. Another time we lost power and the backup came on and did the job.....
I also have the water alarms also and works great.