New pumps, replacements, battery backups and discharge lines

Sump pump installation and repair in York, PA

A sump pump collects groundwater in a pit below the basement floor and pumps it out before it reaches the floor. Most sump calls are a pump that won't turn on, one that runs constantly, or a basement that took water during heavy rain. The fix is usually a new pump, a stuck float, a failed check valve, or a discharge line that's frozen, clogged or sending water back toward the house.

Water pouring or sewage backing up? Shut the main water valve, then call (717) 297-8733.

Emergency steps

Signs your sump pump needs repair or replacement

The pump doesn't start when water rises in the pit
The pump runs constantly, even in dry weather
It cycles on and off every few seconds with only a little water coming in
Humming but no pumping, which usually means a jammed impeller or failed motor
Grinding, rattling or loud vibration
Visible rust, or a pump more than seven to ten years old
Water on the basement floor around the pit after rain
A thunk in the pipe every time the pump stops, from a missing or failing check valve

Sump pump troubleshooting before you call

Power. Check that the pump is plugged in and the GFCI outlet hasn't tripped. Press its reset button.
The float. Make sure the float switch moves freely and isn't caught on the pit wall or the power cord.
The pit. Look for gravel, silt or debris jamming the pump intake.
The discharge outside. In winter, make sure the line isn't frozen or buried in snow. Year round, make sure it isn't clogged or crushed.
Test it. Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch the pump start, empty the pit, and shut off.

What causes sump pump failure

Stuck or tangled float switches, the most common cause of a pump that won't turn on
Power loss during the storms when the pump is needed most
Worn motors on older or undersized pumps that run often
Debris in the pit jamming the impeller
Failed check valves that let water fall back into the pit
Frozen or blocked discharge lines, which leave the pump running with nowhere to send the water
Undersized pumps that can't keep up during heavy rain

Heavy rain, flooding and wet basements in York

York has a long history of serious flooding, most famously when Hurricane Agnes flooded the Codorus Creek through the city in 1972. Heavy rain events, and the high groundwater that follows them, are the main reason York-area basements take water. Two points matter for homeowners:

A sump pump is built for groundwater. It keeps groundwater rising under the slab and along the footings out of the basement. It won't keep out water coming over the top of a window well, or creek floodwater in a low-lying area. For those, grading, window well covers, and flood insurance matter more.
A backup is worth more here than the pump upgrade. The storms that raise groundwater are also the ones that cut power. A battery backup pump, or a water-powered backup where the water supply allows it, keeps the pit pumping through an outage.

If your home is near the Codorus Creek or another stream, check FEMA's flood maps for your address. A sump pump is only one piece of protecting the basement.

How sump pump installation and replacement works

Assess the pit and the water. The pit's size and condition, how fast it fills during rain, and how high the water has to be lifted to get outside.
Size the pump. The pump's capacity at the actual discharge height, not its maximum rating.
Install the pump on a stable base in a pit that keeps gravel out, with the float set to run freely.
Install a check valve on the discharge line so water doesn't fall back into the pit.
Route the discharge outside and far enough from the foundation that water doesn't cycle back, to a location your municipality allows.
Add a battery backup if you choose one, with an alarm.
Seal the pit with a lid to keep out debris and reduce humidity and radon entry.
Test it with water to confirm it starts, empties the pit, and shuts off.

For a new pit, the job also includes cutting the basement floor, digging the pit, connecting any existing drain tile, and patching the concrete.

How much does sump pump installation cost?

Sump pump installation cost depends most on whether you're replacing a pump in an existing pit or cutting the floor for a new pit, and on the pump type and any battery backup you add.

Replacement versus a new pit. Swapping a pump is much simpler than cutting the floor and installing a new pit and drain tile.
Pump type and capacity. Cast iron submersible pumps cost more than plastic pedestal pumps and usually last longer.
Battery or water-powered backup systems.
Discharge line work, especially rerouting a line that dumps next to the foundation or into the sewer.
Alarms and monitoring.
Timing. An emergency replacement during a storm costs more than a planned one.

When a failed sump pump is an emergency

Call right away if:

The pump has stopped during heavy rain and water is rising in the pit or on the floor
The pump is running but water is still rising
Water is near the electrical panel, furnace, or water heater
The pump is sparking, smoking or tripping the breaker

Never stand in standing water to reach an electrical pump. Turn off the circuit at the breaker first if you can get to it from a dry spot.

Sump pump maintenance tips

Test it every spring and fall by pouring water into the pit.
Clean debris out of the pit once a year.
Keep the discharge line clear of snow, ice and leaves.
Replace the backup battery on the manufacturer's schedule.
Consider replacing a pump that's seven to ten years old before it fails.

Sump pump service is part of the plumbing work we do in York, PA. If water is coming up through a floor drain rather than the walls or floor, the problem is more likely the sewer line. See sewer line repair.

Sump pump installation and repair FAQs

How long does a sump pump last?

Often around 7 to 10 years, less for a pump that runs often. Testing it each spring and fall is the best way to catch a failing pump before a storm does.

Can my sump pump drain into the sewer or a floor drain?

Generally no. Pennsylvania sewer authorities commonly prohibit connecting sump pumps to the sanitary sewer, because the extra groundwater overloads treatment plants. Discharge should go outside, away from the foundation, to a place your municipality allows.

Do I need a battery backup?

If your basement is finished, stores things you care about, or takes water during storms, a backup is worth it. Heavy storms often knock out power exactly when the pump is needed most.

Why does my sump pump run when it hasn't rained?

A high water table can keep groundwater flowing for days after rain. A pump that runs every few minutes with no water coming in usually has a failed check valve, so water in the discharge pipe falls back into the pit.

Will a sump pump stop my basement from flooding?

It handles groundwater rising under and around the foundation. It can't keep out surface water pouring in through a window well or a door, or creek or river floodwater above the level of the pit.

Plumbing Pros

Sump pump failed or running nonstop?

Call (717) 297-8733. If water is rising and the pump has stopped, say so first so the visit is treated as urgent.

Call a York plumber(717) 297-8733

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