It is standard and normal to have 2 pumps. They can be installed
side by side with an alternating A/B switch that fires the
opposite one at each startup or can be designed to give each pump
the same operating hours. The pumps can also be arranged in
series or in parallel . They are rigged to both come on when
necessary. All of the switching and mechanics are readily
available. Each pump has its own check valve. Here is a site
that offers a package system:
http://www.championpump.com/packages.htm

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______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Smarty" wrote in message
news:5mj1j.18273$701.5782@trndny08...
I've just had an unexpected failure of my 6 year old sump pump,
resulting in a fair amount of rain water in my basement.

In considering replacements, the thought occurs to me that a 2nd
redundant pump placed above the replacement primary pump would
hopefully prevent this situation from occurring again.

The sump is 18 inches in diameter and 28 inches deep, enough
space (I think) to mount two pumps, one above the other.

I am a bit uncertain as to how, if at all, I should use one-way
valves in the discharge plumbing to prevent backflow.

The discharge line is 1-1/4inch NPT. I am wondering if just
using a "tee" to join the two discharge lines would be
sufficient?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated and thank you in advance.

Happy Thanksgiving to a terrific group of very knowledgeable and
helpful people!

Smarty