How Security Systems and Sump Pump Maintenance Go Together
Alarm Systems That Cover Your Whole House Did you know that a home or business security system can detect indoor flooding? If you didn’t, you do now. It’s not always about keeping burglars out of your home or business, but about keeping everything safe and secure. Overall safety is why these systems can also detect fire and carbon monoxide. But let’s get back to this flooding thing. Flooding is something that happens in the Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse areas. All it takes is a good rain to overwhelm storm drains and cause waterways to break their banks. Broken pipes are another reason. When you have a basement, the potential for flooding is always there. Even if it seems watertight, all it takes is a leaky pipe to cause significant water damage. The good news is that having a functional sump pump can make a major difference. Simple Sump Pump Maintenance Even when security systems detect flooding so homeowners and business owners know sooner rather than later, the sump pump is going to be a very good friend best friend. It can immediately start pumping out the water that is accumulating in the basement so that damage is minimized. However, you have to make sure your sump pump is in good working order by performing annual sump pump maintenance. The following are steps you can take to make sure your sump pump works for you when you need it: Make sure the sump pump power cord is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Inspect the cord to ensure there is no wear and tear. Unplug the cord and take the pump out of the basin. Inspect the grate for debris and clean it. Too much debris can cause the sump pump to malfunction. Check the drainage pipes to make sure the joints are tightly connected and that they are draining to the proper area (pipe into the yard that points away from the foundation or main sewage line). All venting should be debris-free. Replace the pump and make sure it is upright and level. Test the pump by filling the basin with water. The pump should kick on immediately. If the sump pump fails to operate, you can have a plumber repair it or you can replace it. Sump pumps have a life span of 5 to 15 years. Usually, a sump pump under 5 years of age has a warranty. If it is between 5 and 15 years old, replacement may be your best option. Contact A Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo Security Company Your security system and sump pump can work together to minimize the damage in your home or business from flooding. The advanced warning given by the security system and the hard work of your sump pump can result in incredible cost savings when compared to the alternative. To learn more about these systems or any type of system you feel you need to keep your home or business secure, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form below.
National vs. Local Security Alarm Companies – Who’s Top Dog?
What’s the Difference Between National and Local Alarm Companies The struggle is real – Deciding between a national alarm company and a local alarm company can be taxing. But does it really have to be that difficult? You have large national companies throwing out catchy free system offers that the local security alarm company doesn’t have, but the local company offers a lower monthly rate. This is where the decision becomes hard. The good news is that you can figure it out. All you have to do is a little math. The first thing to look at is the value of the national company’s free system versus their monthly fee (usually less than $300 for a standard system). Consider that the national company is still making you pay for that catchy offer through a higher monthly cost than what a local alarm company charges. You can compare annual cost, but also look at the 10-year average lifetime cycle of a security system and you will find that the national guys cost more very early in the cycle. That puts that catchy free system offer into perspective, doesn’t it? Here’s an example: A national company installs a $300 security system in the home. The installation fee is $99 and the monthly fee is $48 per month. Now, let’s say they waive the $300 equipment fee. That leaves you with the $99 installation fee and the $48 per month. The cost is $675 in the first year and $576 for every year after. The local alarm company charges the $300 for the equipment, a $99 installation fee, and a monthly charge of $30 per month. The first year is $759, but the cost every year after is $360. You begin to see the cost savings of a local security company over the national company in just the second year. See the chart below reflecting the 10-year average of this scenario: National (year 1 cost plus $576 per year for total cost over 10 years) Local (year 1 cost plus $360 per year for total cost over 10 years) Year 1 (includes initial costs) $675 $759 Year 2 $1251 $1119 Year 3 $1827 $1479 Year 4 $2403 $1839 Year 5 $2979 $2199 Year 6 $3555 $2559 Year 7 $4131 $2919 Year 8 $4707 $3279 Year 9 $5283 $3639 Year 10 $5859 $3999 Total savings = $1860 The Service Level of Local Security Alarm Companies vs. National The differences between national companies and a good Rochester security alarm company keeps going. The home-town touch gives you the following: Faster response time – When using a national company, the signal from a triggered alarm most likely goes to another part of the state or somewhere else in the country. A local company usually has a 24/7 monitoring center much closer and can call the local police or fire department much faster. The typical response time when using a local alarm company is 20 minutes faster than when using a national company. Your neighborhood isn’t foreign – Your neighborhood can be a foreign land to a national company. Using a company that specifically serves Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo means your neighborhood is familiar territory. It’s good to have a local company that knows when a rash of break-ins is happening in the area. The dollars make more sense – National and local companies have their customers sign contracts, but the national company is more likely to have longer contracts with higher monthly charges. Those contracts usually say the rate can be increased at any time. You also have to deal with automatic renewals. Local alarm companies are easier to negotiate with so you can get more out of every dollar. A Local Alarm Company Serving Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo When working with a local security alarm company, you get the more personal customer service, more control, better rates, faster response times, and a company that knows your neighborhood and uses a knowledgeable monitoring center. To learn about SPS Fire & Security’s great prices and services, call 585-770-0348.