Sump Pump Repair & Replacement
Before the Next Storm or Snowmelt

Why Sump Pumps Fail at the Worst Time

A sump pump sits in a pit in your basement or crawl space and pushes groundwater out and away from the foundation. Because it only runs when water rises, a failing pump can go unnoticed for months. The first real test is often the day it matters most: a heavy storm, or spring snowmelt raising groundwater across many Wasatch Front neighborhoods. A stuck float switch, a clogged intake, a worn motor or a frozen or blocked discharge line are the usual reasons it fails to start or can't keep up.

Warning Signs Worth Acting On

• The pump runs constantly, or cycles on and off every few seconds
• It hums but doesn't move water
• Loud grinding, rattling or vibration when it runs
• Visible rust or corrosion, or a pump that is many years old
• The pit stays full of water and the pump never kicks on
• A musty smell, damp spots or efflorescence (white mineral residue) on basement walls

Test Yours This Fall

Once or twice a year, and especially before spring runoff, test the system. Slowly pour a few gallons of water into the pit. The float should rise, the pump should start, the water should drain and the pump should shut off cleanly. Then go outside and look at where the discharge pipe ends. It should carry water well away from the house, and in winter it shouldn't be buried in snow or ice, because a blocked outlet leaves the pump pushing against a closed pipe. Lift the pit cover and look for debris that could jam the float.

Repair or Replace

A stuck float, a failed switch or a clogged inlet screen is often a straightforward repair. A pump that is well along in years, rusted, noisy or constantly cycling is usually better replaced, since many pumps last in the neighborhood of a decade. If your current pump is barely keeping up in heavy conditions, a replacement is also a chance to size it properly for the amount of water your pit actually sees.

Installing a New Sump System

For a house that doesn't have one, or a pit that needs reworking, a sump system involves the pit and its liner, the pump, a check valve so water doesn't run back into the pit, and a discharge line routed to drain away from the foundation. During the visit we'll walk through what suits your house and discuss backup options, such as a battery-powered backup pump, so you know what protection you'd have if the power goes out during a storm.

If Water Is Already Coming In

Call us at (385) 324-7301; our phones are answered 24/7. Meanwhile, stay out of standing water if it's near outlets, appliances or a panel, turn off power to the affected area if you can do so safely, and move anything valuable out of reach. If the water is deep or the electrical panel is wet, don't go in.

What It Costs

Plumbing visits start with a $29 dispatch fee that is applied toward any repair you approve. You get a written quote before work begins, and we never bill by the hour. See our pricing page. If you're also tracking down a persistent dampness problem, a leak search can help figure out whether the water is coming from the ground or from a pipe.