Sump pump installation and replacement
A sump pump is the part of a drainage system that has to work every single time. Here's what to look for when you install or replace one.
A sump pump sits in a pit at the low point of the basement. Water from a perimeter drain or from the soil under the slab collects there, a float switch turns the pump on, and the pump pushes the water up and out through a discharge pipe. If the pump fails during a storm, the pit overflows, which is why the choice of pump, switch and backup matters.
Signs a pump needs attention
- It runs constantly, even in dry weather
- It hums but doesn't move water
- The float sticks or the pit is full of silt and gravel
- It's loud, rattles or trips the breaker
- You don't know how old it is
What options are there?
- Primary pump. Submersible pumps sit in the pit and are quieter; pedestal pumps sit above the water and are easy to reach. The company should size the pump to how much water your pit actually sees.
- Battery backup. A second pump on a battery takes over if the main pump fails or the power goes out during a storm.
- Lid and pit liner. A sealed lid keeps out debris and cuts down on moisture and odor in the basement.
- Alarm. A high-water alarm tells you when the pit is filling faster than the pump can empty it.
Where should the water go?
Out to a spot that slopes away from the house and doesn't flood a neighbor's yard or freeze over a sidewalk. Discharge lines that end at the foundation just recycle the same water back into the drain. Many sewer authorities don't allow sump pumps to be tied into the sanitary sewer, so if you're not sure where yours goes, ask the company to trace it and check the rules with your borough, township or city.
What affects the price?
- Whether a new pit has to be dug or the existing one reused
- Pump type and whether you add a battery backup or alarm
- How far the discharge line runs and whether it goes underground
- Electrical work for a dedicated outlet
Every price comes from the waterproofing company itself, after someone has walked the basement, checked the walls and floor edge, and looked at the gutters and grading outside. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone sees the house is a guess at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
If the basement has anything you'd hate to lose, or the power goes out in your area during storms, a backup is worth considering. It runs only when the main pump can't.
Why does my sump pump run all the time?
It could be a high water table, a discharge line that lets water flow back, a stuck float or an undersized pump. Have it checked before it burns out.
Related services
More background: Blair County basement water guide.
Puddles by the wall, a damp smell, or a pump that won't stop?
Call and a Blair County waterproofing company will come take a look.