Sump pump repair and new installs for Salem homes

Salem's wet season runs from about October to May, and the long soaking winter rains push groundwater up under many homes. In a crawlspace or basement with a sump, that water drains into a pit, and the pump lifts it out and away from the foundation. When the pump quits in January, the pit can overflow within hours.

Most sump problems are small parts failing at the wrong time. A float hangs up on the pit wall, a check valve sticks and lets water fall back in, or the discharge line freezes or clogs outside. We find which part failed and fix the whole setup so it works through the rest of the season.

How a sump pit and pump move groundwater

The pit is a basin set into the lowest part of the crawlspace or basement floor, often fed by perforated drain pipe that collects water around the foundation. As groundwater rises, it flows into the basin. When the water reaches a set level, the float switch turns the pump on.

The pump pushes water up through a discharge pipe, out through the wall and away from the house. When the level drops, the float switches the pump off. During heavy storms it can cycle every few minutes, which is normal so long as it keeps up.

Check valves, float switches and why pumps short cycle

The check valve on the discharge line lets water out but stops it from falling back into the pit when the pump shuts off. If it fails, the same water drains back and the pump has to move it again, wearing itself out. A rattle or thump when the pump stops often points to the check valve.

Float switches come in tethered and vertical styles. A tethered float can catch on the pit wall or the power cord and stick in the on or off position. Debris in the pit can jam either style, so we clean the basin as part of any repair.

• Pump runs constantly: stuck float or failed check valve
• Pump hums but moves no water: jammed impeller or clogged intake
• Pump never starts: failed float, tripped outlet or burned motor
• Pump cycles every few seconds: pit too small or check valve leaking

Discharge lines that freeze, clog or dump water back

Where the discharge goes matters as much as the pump. A line that ends right at the foundation sends water back into the ground it just came from. We route it far enough out to slope away from the house, to a storm line or approved outlet where that is allowed.

Outdoor discharge pipe can freeze during a cold snap or fill with leaves and soil. A freeze relief fitting near the house lets water escape if the outer section is blocked, so the pump does not run against a dead end.

Battery backup for winter storm outages

The worst storms tend to bring both heavy rain and power outages, which is exactly when a sump pump is needed most. A battery backup pump sits in the same pit with its own float, ready to take over if the main pump loses power or fails.

The backup runs from a sealed battery with a charger and an alarm that sounds when it kicks on. Batteries age, so the system should be tested before each wet season. We install backups on new systems and can add one to most existing pits.