Freeze & Flood Protection
Sump pump installation and replacement
A sump pump sits in a pit at the lowest point of a basement or crawl space and pumps out groundwater before it floods the floor. A plumber sizes the pump, installs it with a check valve and a discharge line that carries water away from the foundation, and can add a battery or water-powered backup for power outages.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Sump pumps are standard in basement homes across the Midwest and Northeast and in low-lying areas with high water tables. They work hardest during heavy rain and snowmelt, which is also when power outages happen, so a backup pump is worth considering.
Most pumps last roughly 7 to 10 years. A pump that runs constantly, cycles on and off, or grinds is close to failing, and check valves, float switches and discharge lines fail too.
Sump pumps at a glance
- Typical life
- About 7 to 10 years
- Key parts
- Pump, float switch, check valve, discharge line
- Backup options
- Battery or water-powered
Signs you need sump pumps
- The pump runs constantly or cycles on and off rapidly
- Grinding, rattling or humming without pumping
- Water in the basement after heavy rain
- A pump more than about 7 years old
- A discharge line that freezes or dumps water against the foundation
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Assess
The plumber checks the pit, how much water comes in, the discharge route and whether a dedicated outlet is available.
- 2
Choose the pump
Submersible or pedestal, horsepower sized to the inflow and lift, and a backup option: battery or, where water pressure allows, water-powered.
- 3
Install
Pump, check valve, a discharge line routed away from the foundation where local rules allow, and a pit lid.
- 4
Test
The pit is filled to confirm the float, cycle and discharge, and you're shown how to test it each season.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Pump type and horsepower
- Adding a battery or water-powered backup
- Whether a new pit must be dug
- Discharge line length and freeze protection
- Electrical work for a dedicated outlet
What you can do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Pour a bucket of water in the pit to test it each season
- Keep the pit and float clear of debris
- Make sure the discharge outlet isn't buried or frozen
Call a plumber
- Breaking the basement floor for a new pit
- Tying the discharge into the sanitary sewer, which many cities prohibit
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
If your basement has finished space or the pump runs often during storms, a backup is good insurance, because storms that fill the pit often knock out power too.
Can my sump pump drain into the sewer?
Usually not. Most cities prohibit connecting sump discharge to the sanitary sewer. The water should go to the yard, a storm drain or another approved outlet.
Where to get sump pumps
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Related services
Need sump pumps?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.