Sump Pump Repair: Same Day Service

Signs Your Sump Pump Is Failing

A sump pump spends most of its life doing nothing, so problems often go unnoticed until a storm. Watch for a pump that runs constantly, cycles on and off rapidly, makes grinding noises or doesn't start when water rises in the pit. If the pump won't shut off, see sump pump running constantly. For a new or replacement pump, see sump pump installation.

• The pump runs constantly or cycles on and off often
• It doesn't turn on when the pit fills
• Grinding, rattling or loud humming noises
• Visible rust or corrosion on the pump
• The pump is around 7 to 10 years old or older
• Water on the basement floor after rain

How to Test a Sump Pump in 2 Minutes

1. Make sure the pump is plugged in and the outlet has power.
2. Slowly pour a bucket or two of water into the pit until the float rises.
3. The pump should start on its own and empty the pit within a short time.
4. It should shut off once the water drops, without water rushing back into the pit.
5. Go outside and confirm water is coming out of the discharge line.

If it doesn't start, hums without pumping, or water flows back into the pit after it stops, the float, pump or check valve needs attention before the next storm.

When a Sump Pump Problem Is an Emergency

A sump pump failure becomes an emergency the moment the pit is full and rain is still coming. At that point, every hour without a working pump is water on the basement floor.

• The pit is full and the pump won't run, with rain still coming.
• Water is already on the basement floor.
• The pump is running nonstop with a hot or humming motor.
• The power is out during a storm and you don't have a backup pump.

What to Do if the Sump Pit Is Overflowing

1. Check that the pump has power: reset the GFCI outlet and check the breaker.
2. Make sure the float switch moves freely and isn't stuck against the side of the pit.
3. If the pit is overflowing, remove water with a wet vacuum or a portable pump.
4. Keep away from standing water near outlets or electrical equipment.
5. Call a plumber if the pump still won't run.

How Sump Pumps Are Repaired and Replaced

The plumber tests the pump by filling the pit, then checks the float switch, check valve and discharge line. Many problems are a stuck float or a failed check valve rather than the pump itself.

1. Test the pump by filling the pit with water.
2. Inspect the float switch, check valve and discharge line.
3. Clear debris from the pit and the pump intake.
4. Repair or replace the pump, sized to how much water comes in.
5. Add or test a backup pump and alarm, then run the full system again.

Types of Sump Pumps and Backups

Submersible pump

Sits inside the pit. Quieter and handles more water. The most common choice for basements.

Pedestal pump

The motor sits above the pit. Easier to service but louder. Suits small or narrow pits.

Battery backup pump

Takes over when the power goes out or the main pump fails.

Water-powered backup

Uses city water pressure instead of a battery. Not allowed everywhere; check local code.

Sizing a Sump Pump and Backup

Horsepower alone doesn't tell you much. What matters is how many gallons per hour the pump can move at the height it has to lift water, from the pit to where the discharge line leaves the house. A plumber estimates how fast your pit fills during heavy rain and picks a pump that comfortably outpaces it. For battery backups, run time depends on the battery and how often the pump cycles, so ask how long it would last in a long outage.

What Affects the Cost of Sump Pump Service

The main question is whether the pump needs a part or a replacement. Adding a battery backup, cutting a new pit or rerouting the discharge line are the other big variables.

• Repair or replace. A float switch or check valve costs less than a new pump.
• Pump type and capacity. Submersible pumps and higher-capacity pumps cost more.
• Adding a battery backup or a high-water alarm.
• Installing a new pit, which means cutting the basement floor.
• Rerouting or extending the discharge line, or protecting it from freezing.

Basements, Heavy Rain and Freezing Discharge Lines

Sump pumps matter most in cities where basements are common and storms are heavy. In Chicago and Detroit, combined sewer systems can back up during the same storms that fill sump pits, so a failed pump and a backed-up floor drain often happen together. In cold cities like Chicago, Indianapolis and Denver, outdoor discharge lines can freeze in winter, leaving the pump with nowhere to send water. A plumber can reroute or protect the line.

Local plumbing details: Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Denver

Sump Pumps by City

What our city pages say about sump pumps:

• Lee's Summit, MO: Spring rain and thaw push sump pumps in finished basements.
• Farmington Hills, MI: A pump that quits in a storm floods a finished basement.
• Carmel, IN: A pump that quits in a storm floods a finished basement.
• Downers Grove, IL: Spring thaw and storms push sump pumps hard.
• St. Cloud, MN: Spring thaw pushes sump pumps hard in finished basements.
• West Chester, OH: A pump that quits in a storm floods a finished basement.
• Columbia, MD: A pump that quits in a storm floods a finished basement.
• Ames, IA: A dead pump in a spring storm floods the basement.

What to Check Before the Plumber Arrives

Knowing how old the pump is and how often it has been running helps the plumber judge whether repair is worth it.

• The pump's age and brand if you can see it.
• How often it runs and whether it has ever failed during a storm.
• Where the discharge line ends outside.

After a Sump Pump Repair

Test the pump yourself every few months by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.

• Test the pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.
• Check that the discharge line outside is clear and pointed away from the foundation.
• Test the backup pump and alarm every few months.

How to Keep a Sump Pump Ready for Storms

• Test the pump every few months by pouring water into the pit.
• Clean debris out of the pit once a year.
• Keep the discharge line clear and pointed well away from the foundation.
• Protect outdoor discharge lines from freezing.
• Install a high-water alarm.

Sump Pump Questions Homeowners Ask