Sump pump installation and replacement

When you need a sump pump

A sump pump sits in a pit at the lowest point of the basement and pushes collected water out of the house. Homes with a drain tile system need one, and many basements that take on water in heavy rain need one added.

If your pump runs constantly, cycles on and off quickly, makes grinding noises, or let water rise during the last storm, it's worth having it checked before the next one.

Backups matter

Pumps tend to fail during the storms when you need them most, often because the power goes out. A battery backup pump or a second pump in the same pit protects a finished basement. Ask about the discharge line too: water pumped out next to the foundation often comes straight back in.

What the contractor will check

Pit size and condition, the pump and check valve, where the discharge line ends, whether there's a drain system feeding the pit, and whether a backup makes sense for your home.

Before you choose a contractor

Confirm that the proposed work addresses the observed source of moisture. Ask about inspection fees, permits, exclusions, cleanup, discharge routing and warranty terms. Verify applicable credentials and insurance independently.

Use the waterproofing estimate checklist to compare the same scope across quotes.