A sump pump helps protect your home from basement flooding and water damage. It sits in a sump pit in the basement or crawl space of your home, and pumps water away from your foundation when groundwater rises.

A working sump pump helps reduce the risk of standing water, mold growth, mildew, and structural damage. For homes with recurring basement moisture or heavy rain exposure, a sump pump is one of the most important lines of defense. Most homes in the near northwest and west suburbs of Chicago have a sump pump system.

If you are not sure if your sump is installed correctly, running properly or is greater than seven years old, give our team a call at (630) 924-0665.

A sump pump system collects groundwater that builds up around the footing of your foundation and directs it away from your home before it can enter the basement or crawl space. Water flows through the drain tile into the sump pit, and when the water reaches a certain level in the pit, the pump turns on and pushes it out through the discharge pipe to a safe drainage area away from the house. The goal is simple: collect water, move it out, and keep it from coming back.

Most residential sump pumps last about 7 to 10 years, although the real lifespan depends on how often the pump runs, the type of pump, installation quality, and how well it has been maintained. A sump pump that runs often during storms or has not been serviced regularly may fail sooner. If your unit is nearing the end of its expected life, replacement before a major rain event can give you peace of mind and help you avoid unexpected basement flooding.

How old is my pump? There are several ways to determine the age of your sump pump including following:

If you don’t know your pump’s age or have never had your sump pump inspected or maintained by a plumber, we would recommend that you give us a call to schedule an inspection of your sump pump system including the pump, pit, check valves, and discharge system. Give us a call at (630) 924-0665.

Common signs of sump pump problems in your home include unusual noises, excessive vibration, constant cycling, failure to turn on, visible rust, or water left standing in the sump pit. You may also notice the pump running but not removing water effectively. In some cases, a failing float switch, clogged discharge line, or burned-out motor can cause performance issues. If your sump pump is showing and of these warning signs, it is best to have it inspected by a plumber before it stops working when you need it most.

In the Chicago area, homeowners are likely to experience heavy snow melt, powerful storms and the possibility of torrential rain — all but guaranteeing your sump pump will be put to work early and often.

We recommend testing your sump pump system regularly, at least one-time per month and to have it professionally inspected and maintained by a plumber once a year. This is especially important if your home has a history of water penetration issues, you live in an area that is prone to flooding or experience power outages during storms. Here are a few steps to take when testing and maintaining your sump pump system:

Routine sump pump maintenance can help catch problems early, improve reliability, and extend the life of the system. Homes with finished basements or a history of flooding may benefit from more frequent checks. If you would like to schedule an inspection or maintenance, contact our service team at (630) 924-0665.

A primary sump pump is the main unit that removes water from the sump pit during normal operation. A battery backup sump pump provides extra protection if the main pump fails or the power goes out. This is especially important during severe storms, when power outages and heavy groundwater often happen at the same time. Many homeowners choose a backup sump pump system for added peace of mind and better protection against basement flooding. If you don’t have a backup sump pump and battery backup system, we strongly recommend you install one.

Storm season in the Chicago area in recent years has become more volatile. Unfortunately when storms are severe, you run the risk of a double whammy — a power outage and torrential rain at the same time and the possibility of incurring thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home and unwelcomed stress. We offer several different battery backup system configurations depending on the needs of your home including the Zoeller Aquanot® system.

A sump pump may run constantly because of heavy rainfall, high groundwater, a stuck float switch, an undersized pump, or a clogged or frozen discharge line. In some cases, the pump is working properly and responding to unusually wet conditions. In other cases, nonstop operation may signal a mechanical issue or installation problem. If your sump pump never seems to shut off, it should be inspected immediately to prevent burnout of the pump and reduce the risk of failure.

A sump pump may stop working because of power loss, a tripped breaker, a jammed float switch, a clogged intake, a blocked discharge pipe, the pump is airlocked or the motor has failed. Sometimes the unit may appear to run without actually pumping water out. Because sump pump problems often show up during storms, it is important to address them quickly.

Professional troubleshooting by one of our technicians, can identify whether the pump needs repair, cleaning, or full replacement.

The cost of sump pump installation or replacement depends on several factors, including the type of pump, the size of the basin, discharge line work needed, electrical requirements, and whether a battery backup system is included. Pedestal pumps and submersible sump pumps can differ in both price and performance. While cost matters, reliability is often the bigger issue when your home is at risk for water damage.

We offer several different type of pumps and backup systems from the most trusted pump in the business – Zoeller. Typically we install 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower pumps depending on the anticipated workload of the pump – up to 30 gallons or 60 gallons per minute respectively. A 1/3 horsepower pump can accommodate homes that have more light to moderate seepage and your pump does not run constantly. A 1/2 horsepower pump is best for homes that are more prone to flooding, lower grade or elevation relative to other homes in your neighborhood, have a high water table, and or a longer discharge pipe run.

Give us a call at (630) 924-0665 for an instant quote that matches up with the individual sump pump needs of your home. In most cases, we can provide you a flat rate price for your sump pump or back up system installation over the phone.

We know there are some DIY homeowners out there that may want to attempt sump pump installation or replacement on their own, but professional installation by a licensed MAS plumber is usually the safer choice. Proper sizing, drainage routing, check valve placement, electrical connections, and code compliance all affect how well the system performs. A sump pump that is installed incorrectly may fail when you need it most (when storms are most severe) or create drainage problems around the home. Professional installation helps ensure the system is dependable and designed for your property.

Proper discharge setup is an important part of any sump pump installation. Sump pump discharge water should be directed away from the home’s foundation to help prevent it from flowing back toward the basement. It’s ideal that the discharge line terminate in an appropriate drainage area and comply with local plumbing and drainage requirements. If the line is too short, clogged, frozen, or improperly placed, your sump pump system may not protect the home effectively.