Sump Pump Repair & Replacement in Homer Glen, IL
A failed sump pump turns a heavy rain into a wet basement. Get a licensed plumber to repair, replace or add a battery backup before the next storm.
Signs your sump pump is failing
- Pump runs constantly or cycles on and off rapidly
- Pump hums but doesn’t move water
- Float sticks, or the pit fills without the pump starting
- Loud grinding or rattling
- Visible rust, or the pump is more than about 10 years old
Why sump pumps matter so much here
Clay soil and a rising water table during long rains and spring snowmelt push groundwater against basement walls. The sump pit collects that water and the pump sends it outside. When the pump stops, the pit overflows and the basement floods.
The storms that raise the water table are also the storms that knock out power. A pump with no backup stops at exactly the wrong time.
Battery backup and other options
- Battery backup pump: a second pump that runs when power fails or the main pump can’t keep up.
- Water-powered backup: uses municipal water pressure instead of a battery, where allowed and where water pressure is adequate.
- High-water alarm: an inexpensive alarm that sounds before the pit overflows.
If your home also has an ejector pump for a basement bathroom or laundry, that’s a separate pump that moves wastewater, not groundwater. It fails in similar ways and a plumber can service both.
Common questions
How long does a sump pump last?
Often around 7 to 10 years, less if it runs a lot. If yours is older than that, replacing it before storm season is cheaper than a flooded basement.
How do I test my sump pump?
Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise, the pump should start and empty the pit, then shut off. If it doesn’t, call.
Where should the discharge line go?
Away from the foundation and not into the sanitary sewer. Discharging groundwater into the sewer is commonly prohibited, and water dumped next to the house just comes back.
Get it looked at
Pit filling and the pump isn’t running? Call now.
Plumbing Pro Homer Glen is a referral service. Plumbing work is performed by independently licensed local plumbers.