Sump pump repair
A failed sump pump during heavy rain floods a basement in hours. Four checks take two minutes and solve a surprising share of failures.
Free to call. We route you to an independent licensed plumber in your area — PlumbLinker does not perform plumbing work.
Check these before calling
- Power. Is it plugged in? Sump pumps are commonly on a GFCI outlet that has tripped without anyone noticing. Press reset. Also check the breaker.
- The float switch. Reach in and lift the float by hand. If the pump runs, the switch or its travel is the problem — often the float is jammed against the pit wall or tangled on the cord.
- The discharge line outside. In winter it freezes; year-round it gets blocked by debris or crushed by landscaping. The pump runs, but water has nowhere to go and returns.
- The pit itself. Gravel, silt, and construction debris clog the intake screen. Clearing it is sometimes the entire repair.
A wet/dry shop vac buys real time. So does a garden hose used as a siphon if there's anywhere lower to run it. Move anything valuable off the floor now rather than later — and get anything electrical up first.
Why pumps fail
| Cause | Notes |
|---|---|
| Age | Most sump pumps last 7–10 years. If yours is older and you're reading this, that's your answer |
| Stuck float switch | The most common single failure. Debris, or the float catching on the pit wall or cord |
| Power loss | Storms cause outages, and outages happen precisely when you need the pump. This is the case for a battery backup |
| Clogged intake or impeller | Silt and gravel in an unlined pit |
| Frozen or blocked discharge | Water can't exit, so it comes back. Common in cold climates |
| Overwhelmed capacity | The pump works but can't keep pace with the water volume. Needs a larger unit or a second pump |
| Continuous running | Usually a stuck switch or a failed check valve letting discharged water flow back into the pit |
Costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic / service call | $100–$300 |
| Float switch replacement | $150–$400 |
| Check valve replacement | $150–$350 |
| Pump replacement | $400–$1,200 installed |
| Battery backup system | $800–$2,500 installed |
| Water-powered backup pump | $800–$2,000 (needs municipal water pressure) |
| New pit and full installation | $1,500–$4,000 |
A battery backup pump costs a fraction of what finished-basement flood restoration costs, and it covers the exact scenario where primary pumps fail — a storm that knocks out power. Add a water alarm too; they're about $15 and they wake you up.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my sump pump not turning on?
Most often a tripped GFCI outlet or a stuck float switch. Check power first, then lift the float by hand — if the pump runs when you do, the switch is your problem.
How long do sump pumps last?
Typically 7–10 years. Pumps that cycle frequently wear out sooner. If yours is near or past ten and your basement is finished, replacing it proactively is much cheaper than the alternative.
Why does my sump pump run constantly?
Usually a stuck float switch or a failed check valve — without a working check valve, water in the discharge pipe flows straight back into the pit and the pump cycles endlessly. It can also mean a genuinely high water table or an underground spring, which needs a bigger pump.
Do I need a battery backup?
If you have a finished basement, store anything of value down there, or live somewhere with frequent storm outages: yes. Power failures and heavy rain arrive together, which is precisely when an unbacked pump leaves you with nothing.
Plumbing emergency right now?
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Call (888) 876-3092PlumbLinker is a referral service. We connect you with independent licensed plumbers — we do not perform plumbing work ourselves.