Sump pumps have a thankless job. Hidden away in the corner of a home’s basement or crawl space, they’re out of sight and out of mind—that is, until they stop working, allowing water to flood the space. Homeowners often have similar questions as they wade through that water—what does a sump pump do? How does a sump pump work? How easy is it to fix the one I have? And if I can’t fix it, how much will a new one cost?
Well-known remodeling contractor Danny Lipford answers all those questions and more…
How does a sump pump work?
A sump pump is positioned in or immediately beside a small pit dug into the lowest level of the home or the crawl space beneath it. When the pit fills with water from excessive rains, ground water or walls that are not sealed properly, a float rises, activating the sump pump to start pumping excess water out of the basement or crawl space and away from the property, ideally before any significant water damage occurs. The water can be pumped to a French drain—a trench with a few inches of gravel in the bottom, then perforated plastic pipe, and then more gravel covering it. The drain will direct the water to a safe place, such as a drain field or a storm drain or someplace else where it can drain without causing erosion or other water issues. Note: In general, French drains should not be connected to septic tanks, as it can easily overfill the septic tank.
How long does a sump pump typically last?
Sump pumps typically last only around a decade, so many homeowners are likely to one day face a nonfunctioning pump and a flooded space.
Bad news: More often than not, a broken sump pump can’t be repaired and will have to be replaced.
Good news: Most replacement sump pumps cost $200 to $300, though particularly powerful units can cost more.
How do I know if the one I have needs to be replaced?
Before concluding that a sump pump is broken, confirm that its circuit breaker hasn’t tripped…the water discharge line and other pipes and inlets aren’t clogged or frozen…and the pump’s “float” is moving freely—if the air-filled float located in the sump pit has become jammed in place, fixing the sump pump might be as simple as pushing this float free.
Can I install a sump pump myself?
While some handy homeowners can install their own sump pumps—especially when they are replacing a broken one and not starting from scratch—it’s usually unwise. The odds of making a mistake that leads to future basement flooding outweighs the potential savings.
Better: Hire a pro to do the installation. If you are replacing an existing one, expect to pay for an hour or two of a plumber’s time. If you are having a new sump pump installed in a location where there wasn’t one previously, expect the installation to take three to four hours or longer. Also: It is very likely that your usual plumber will give you the name of a sump-pump specialist rather than tackle the job himself.
Are there different types of sump pumps?
There are two basic types—“submersible” ones are positioned inside sump pits, while “pedestal” sump pumps sit alongside the pits. Either type is fine, though submersibles often can handle more gallons of water per minute and generally are quieter. On the other hand, pedestal sump pumps often last longer, because they’re not submerged in water.
How do I choose the right sump pump?
What matters most with sump pumps is reliability, so stick with the sector’s leading manufacturers—Superior, Wayne and Zoeller. If you’re working with a well-established sump-pump specialist, odds are good that whichever one he/she recommends will be a solid choice.
If your home doesn’t have a generator, consider choosing a sump pump that features a backup battery—basement and crawl space flooding often occurs during powerful storms that knock down power lines. This might add $100 to $200 or more to the bill, depending on battery capacity.
Smart strategy: Test your sump pump at least once a year to reduce the odds that a failed sump pump will cause basement flooding. To do this: Pour a five-gallon bucket of water into the sump pit—or use a hose to fill the pit—and confirm that the pump switches on and removes the water you added.
