Sump Pump FAQ

What is a sump pump?

A sump pump is a device that takes groundwater from a house’s foundation and “pumps” it to the outside of the home. It prevents your basement from flooding as well as protects your foundation.

What is the normal lifespan of a sump pump?

We recommend replacing a sump pump every 3-5 years as well as having it annually inspected by Laney’s.

Do all sump pumps have battery backups? Do I need one?

No, not all sump pumps have a battery backup. You don’t need one, but if the power goes out or the primary pump fails, the result may be a flooded basement. Having one gives you peace of mind and extra insurance in case something were to happen.

If I want a sump pump battery backup, how do I get one?

Ask your Laney’s technician, and he will give you options for your situation.

What do I need to know about my sump pump before calling Laney’s?

You will need to know…

·       Where the sump pump is located
·       If it has a battery backup
·       The age of the pump

My sump pump is beeping/alarming/smoking…what do I do?

Call Laney’s, and we will send the next available technician out to you.

Raspberry Pi and monitoring sump pump water level

In previous posts, I have detailed how I keep track of the status of my stand by generator. One of the main tasks of the stand by generator is to ensure that there is a steady supply of power for the sump pump. So, wouldn’t it be nice if we could monitor the level of the sump, preferably remotely, so we can take action if it is too high?

Raspberry Pi to the rescue. In the course of investigating distance sensors, I came across. It explains the use of the ultrasonic distance sensor HY-SRF05, which can read distances between 5cm and 2m. Perfect for my purpose. Besides, they only cost around $3.00 each!
I took the very simple voltage divider circuit mentioned on that webpage and created a little circuit board for it. Here’s it is, fresh out of the etcher, with the ink of hand drawn traces still covering the only copper left on the board. To the top you can see the 4 points of the board to which the HY-SRF05 will be attached by solder points.

Once I sanded the ink off, drilled the holes and mounted the resistors, connecting wires and sensor, I did a test. It worked! Woohoo! Next, accuracy testing was conducted, proving that most of the time the reading is within 5%. Good enough for my purpose.
To attach the sensor in a convenient spot, I used a hose clamp and short piece of wire strapping. Through experimenting I found out that in order to get a fairly accurate reading, you need to get as much clearance on the sides of the sensor as possible. The wire strapping allows for this, as it is bendable and strong enough to support the lightweight sensor. The sensor and circuit board are kept in place with a colourful binder clip, for easy removal in case the pump needs to be serviced.

The Raspberry Pi itself is mounted some distance away (+/- 50 cm) on the sump pump closet wall, using a case I obtained from Allied Electronics. A couple of screws inserted in the drywall keep the Pi high and dry.

The Coolest Alternative Strollers You've Ever Seen

As far as items for child-rearing are concerned, strollers are considered an absolute necessity. Of course, you can always go the baby-wearing route (we absolutely LOVED it), but you'll find yourself likely still needing a stroller as children grow.

One of the downsides about strollers is that they are rarely something to get excited about for parents. In fact, many dread them. Sure, you can go jogging with one, but the price might set you back a good couple paychecks. Strollers are bulky, expensive, and not exactly cool.

Practicality and economics take precedence over "cool" when it comes to parenting, leaving many to miss the fun aspects of their pre-parent days.

While these new alternative strollers are a bit on the "wild" side and may raise eyebrows, they're also safe, practical and downright awesome. (Note, while this blog focuses on mainly frugal options, I couldn't resist in sharing some of these absolutely brilliant creations)