Sump Pump Failed? Get Dry Before the Next Storm

★★★★★ Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

Pump cycling constantly, won’t turn on, or you’ve never tested it; call dispatch. We test, repair, replace, and add battery-backup so the next power outage doesn’t flood the basement.

Dispatch Plumber
24/7
Emergency
Service
Trusted &
Recommended
Up-Front
Estimates

Every Sump Pump Service

Failed Pump; Emergency Replace

Storm warning, basement filling, no time. Replacement pump installed and tested same visit.

Pump Repair

Float switch, check valve, discharge line, GFCI outlet. Diagnose the actual failure before quoting replacement.

Pre-Season Testing

Pour water in the pit, watch the cycle, check the float, verify the discharge clears. Fix anything questionable.

Battery Backup Install

Storm = power outage = primary pump dead. Battery-backup runs independently, alarm if it activates.

Discharge Line Issues

Frozen, clogged, or improperly graded discharge dumps water back into the foundation. Re-route as needed.

Smart Pump Upgrade

Wifi-enabled pumps text you when they cycle (or fail). Worth it for vacation homes or finished basements.

Simple, Transparent, Fast

From the moment you call to the moment we leave: no surprises, no hidden fees, no high-pressure upsells.

  1. 1

    Call Our Dispatcher

    A real dispatcher answers 24/7. Tell us the problem and we'll dispatch a local plumber.

  2. 2

    Upfront Written Quote

    Plumber arrives, diagnoses the issue, and gives you a firm price in writing, before any work starts.

  3. 3

    Approve & We Fix It

    You approve the price (or walk away, no obligation). Most jobs done in one visit.

  4. 4

    Wrap-Up & Walkthrough

    Before leaving, the plumber walks you through the repair and cleans up the workspace.

Not sure what to do? Call us first.

Tell our dispatcher what's happening; they'll walk you through immediate steps (shut-off, containment) and dispatch a local plumber to your door.

Call (615) 694-4004

Why Sump Pumps Need Boring Maintenance

Four sump-pump patterns we see; and the small fixes that prevent the big flood.

Test Before You Need It

A sump pump that hasn’t cycled in 6 months may not start when it has to. We test under load, check the float, and verify the GFCI hasn’t tripped quietly.

  • Pour-water test under load
  • Float-switch verified
  • GFCI + breaker integrity confirmed
Pre-storm-season pump test.

Battery Backup = Real Insurance

The single biggest cause of basement flooding is a power outage during a storm; exactly when you need the pump most. Battery-backup pumps run on a sealed marine battery and alarm when they activate.

  • Independent backup pump + battery
  • Audible alarm when activated
  • 5–8 hour runtime on full battery
Backup pump + battery in the sump pit.

Discharge Line Done Right

Pumping water 4 feet from the foundation just lets it run back in. Discharge needs to dump 10+ feet away, downhill, with freeze protection in winter climates.

  • 10+ ft from foundation, downhill
  • Air gap or freeze relief on the run
  • Winter-proof if applicable
Discharge line graded away from the house.

Right-Size the Pump

Undersized pumps cycle constantly and burn out. Oversized pumps short-cycle and burn out. We size by water-table depth and observed inflow rate during storms.

  • Sized to actual inflow, not guesswork
  • Cast iron over plastic for longevity
  • Backup brand and warranty matched
New pump sized to the actual sump pit conditions.

Sump Pump FAQ

Common questions about how sump pumps fail, when to replace, and how to prepare for storm season.

How long do sump pumps last?
A residential cast-iron pump lasts 7–10 years; plastic pumps 3–5. The float switch usually fails before the motor. If yours is past the warranty window and hasn’t been tested in over a year, it’s worth a service call before storm season.
How do I test my sump pump myself?
Pour 5 gallons of water into the sump pit. The float should rise, the pump should kick on, the water should drain, the pump should shut off. If any of those fails; or it cycles unevenly; call dispatch.
Do I really need a battery backup?
If you have a finished basement, store anything valuable down there, or live somewhere that loses power during storms; yes. A $400 battery backup prevents what is often a $20,000+ flood-damage claim.
My pump runs constantly. Is it broken?
Either the float switch is stuck on, the check valve has failed (water flows back into the pit and re-pumps), or your water table is genuinely high enough to keep the pit filling. We diagnose all three on one visit.
Can I install a sump pump myself?
You can; but the failure modes are unforgiving. Wrong-sized pump, bad check valve install, discharge that grades back to the foundation, or a GFCI that won’t hold under storm conditions all leave you with a flood at 2am. Most homeowners are better off paying for a one-hour install.

Don't Live with a Plumbing Problem

Call now and we'll get a plumber to your door. Quote in writing before any work starts.

Dispatch Plumber