Sump pump repair: the short answer
If your sump pump won't turn on, runs nonstop, hums without pumping or failed during a storm, get it checked before the next heavy rain or thaw. In the meantime, make sure it's plugged in, the breaker or GFCI outlet hasn't tripped and nothing is jamming the float. Many problems come down to a stuck float switch or a failed check valve, while older pumps may need replacing. Call (207) 555-0163 to speak with a local plumber in the Portland area.
Common sump pump problems
| What you notice | Common causes |
|---|---|
| Won't turn on | No power, a tripped GFCI or breaker, a stuck float or a burned-out motor |
| Runs constantly | A stuck float, a failed check valve letting water flow back, or a pump too small for the inflow |
| Hums but doesn't pump | A jammed impeller or a clogged intake |
| Cycles on and off rapidly | A float set too tight, or a failed check valve |
| Water but no pumping in winter | A frozen or blocked discharge line outside |
For other problems, see our main page on plumbing help in Portland.
How urgent is it?
Water rising in the pit during a storm is an emergency.
Move belongings off the basement floor, keep away from water near outlets and call. If the pump simply failed a test on a dry day, book a repair before the next storm or thaw.
Snowmelt and storms around Portland
About 69 inches of snow falls in Portland in a typical year. When it melts, often alongside spring rain, groundwater rises and sump pumps run harder than at any other time. Coastal storms bring heavy rain too, sometimes with power outages, which is when a pump without a backup stops working. See the spring sump pump checklist.
Where should the pump discharge?
Portland and Westbrook have asked property owners to disconnect roof drains and sumps from the sewer system, because storm runoff can overwhelm the sewers and send untreated sewage into the Presumpscot River and Casco Bay. A sump pump should normally discharge outside, far enough from the foundation that the water doesn't run straight back in. In winter, an outdoor discharge line can freeze, so ask the plumber about its slope and protection. See sewer line repair if your pump ties into the sewer.
Test your pump
- Pour a bucket of water slowly into the pit. The pump should start, empty the pit and shut off.
- Check that the float moves freely and nothing in the pit can catch it.
- Listen for grinding or rattling, and look for water flowing back into the pit after it stops.
- Check that the outdoor discharge is clear of snow, ice and debris.
Backup pumps and alarms
A battery backup pump keeps working when a storm knocks out power, and a water alarm warns you before the basement floods. Both are worth asking about if your basement has flooded before or you're away from home often.
What happens during a sump pump visit
Check power and float
The outlet, breaker, float switch and the pump's response to water.
Inspect the pit and piping
Debris, the check valve, the discharge line and where it ends.
Repair or replace
A new float switch or check valve, or a new pump sized to the inflow.
Test under load
Fill the pit and confirm the pump starts, empties it and shuts off cleanly.
What affects the cost
- Pump type: submersible or pedestal, and its capacity.
- Backup: battery backup pumps and alarms add to the cost.
- Discharge work: new piping, rerouting away from the sewer or freeze protection.
- New installations: cutting a new pit costs far more than replacing a pump.
- Timing: a call in the middle of a storm usually costs more.
See the plumbing cost guide.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this pump sized for how much water my pit gets?
- Does the check valve need replacing too?
- Where does my pump discharge, and is that allowed?
- Would a battery backup or alarm make sense here?
What to have ready when you call
- what the pump is doing: not starting, running nonstop, humming or cycling
- whether water is rising in the pit or on the floor right now
- the pump's age, if you know it, and whether there's a backup
- where the discharge line goes