Toilets & fixtures
Sump pump repair and replacement
A sump pump keeps groundwater out of a basement or crawl space by pumping it from a pit to the outside. Most failures come from a stuck float switch, a clogged intake, a failed check valve or a power outage. A plumber can repair or replace the pump and add a battery backup so it keeps working when the power fails.
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- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
Sump pumps do their work during heavy rain and snowmelt, which is also when power is most likely to go out. A pump with no backup offers no protection in that moment. Battery and water-powered backup pumps cover the gap.
Pumps typically last 7 to 10 years. Testing is simple: pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch the pump start, empty the pit and stop. The discharge line should carry water well away from the foundation and must not freeze shut in winter.
Sump Pump Repair at a glance
- Typical life
- 7 to 10 years
- Common faults
- Float switch, clogged intake, check valve
- Test
- Pour a bucket of water into the pit
- Worth adding
- Battery backup and a high-water alarm
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What are the signs you need a plumber?
- Water in the pit but the pump doesn't start
- The pump runs constantly or cycles every few minutes
- Loud grinding or rattling
- Visible rust or a pump more than 10 years old
- The basement got wet during the last storm
What does the plumber do?
- 1
Test the pump
The pit is filled to check the float, motor and discharge.
- 2
Check the line
The check valve and discharge pipe are inspected for blockage or freezing.
- 3
Repair or replace
The switch or pump is replaced with one sized to the pit and the water volume.
- 4
Add protection
A battery backup and alarm are fitted if you want cover during outages.
What affects the cost of sump pump repair?
It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.
- Pump type and capacity
- Adding a battery or water-powered backup
- Changes to the discharge line
- Whether a new pit or basin is needed
What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?
Safe to try
- Test the pump with a bucket of water twice a year
- Check that it is plugged into a working outlet
- Clear debris from the pit and the intake screen
Call a plumber when
- Unplug the pump before reaching into the pit
- Don't route the discharge into the sanitary sewer; many cities prohibit it
Sump Pump Repair questions
How often should a sump pump be replaced?
Every 7 to 10 years, or sooner if it runs often. Replacing an aging pump on your schedule costs far less than a flooded basement.
Do I need a battery backup for my sump pump?
If the basement is finished or the pump runs often, yes. Storms that fill the pit are the same storms that cut power, and a backup keeps water moving until power returns.
Why does my sump pump run all the time?
A stuck float switch, a failed check valve letting water fall back into the pit, or a high water table can each cause it. Constant running wears the motor out early.
What is a sump pump?
A sump pump is a pump set in a pit at the lowest point of a basement or crawl space. When groundwater fills the pit, a float switch starts the pump, which sends the water outside away from the foundation.
How long does sump pump replacement take?
One to two hours for a direct replacement. Adding a battery backup pump or changing the discharge line adds time.
What size sump pump do I need?
A 1/3 horsepower pump handles most homes. A 1/2 horsepower pump suits a high water table, a deep pit or a long or tall discharge run.
Should a sump pump pit have water in it?
A little standing water below the float's switch-on level is normal. A pit that stays full, or a pump that runs without lowering the water, means a stuck float, a blocked or frozen discharge, or a failed pump.
Where we connect homeowners with plumbers
Sump Pump Repair requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.
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