Sump Pump Service in Lakewood, OH
A sump pump sits in the basement doing nothing for weeks, then has to work hard through a spring thaw or a summer storm. We test, repair and replace pumps, check valves and discharge lines so yours is ready. Call (216) 238-6858.
What Your Sump Pump Does
Around many basement foundations, drain tile collects groundwater and carries it to a pit in the basement floor, called the sump. When the water rises, a float switches the pump on and it pushes the water up through a discharge pipe and out of the house. A check valve on that pipe keeps the water from falling back into the pit when the pump stops.
Not every Lakewood house has a sump pump. Where there is one, it is usually the only thing between a heavy rain or a fast spring thaw and a wet basement floor, which is why it pays to test it before you need it.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Warning Sign | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck float switch | The pump never starts, or it never stops | Free or replace the switch; make sure nothing in the pit catches the float |
| Failed motor | The pit is full and the pump is silent or only hums | Replace the pump, sized for how fast the pit fills |
| Bad check valve | Water rushes back into the pit and the pump cycles on and off | Replace the check valve |
| Frozen or blocked discharge | The pump runs but the pit does not empty, usually in winter | Clear the line, slope it to drain, and protect the outlet from ice |
| No backup | The power fails during a storm and the pit fills | Add a battery backup pump and a high-water alarm |
| Pump too small | The water keeps rising while the pump runs | Replace it with a pump matched to the inflow and the height it lifts |
Test Your Pump Before the Spring Thaw
Five minutes in late winter tells you whether the pump will start when it has to. Do this with a bucket of water:
- Check the power. The pump should be plugged into a working outlet of its own, not an extension cord.
- Fill the pit slowly with a bucket of water until the float rises.
- Watch it start and stop. The pump should switch on, empty the pit and switch off on its own.
- Listen. Grinding, rattling or a long hum before it starts are signs of wear.
- Go outside and check that water comes out at the end of the discharge pipe and runs away from the house.
- Clear the pit of gravel, silt and anything that has fallen in and could jam the float.
If the pump does not pass, call (216) 238-6858 before the next big rain.
Choosing a Replacement Pump
There are two common types. A pedestal pump has its motor on a column above the pit: it is easy to service and suits a narrow pit, but it is louder and the motor is exposed. A submersible pump sits in the water: it is quieter and moves more water, and it needs a pit wide enough to hold it with room for the float.
Size matters more than brand. The right pump is the one that can lift the water the full height to the discharge and keep up with how fast your pit fills in the worst week of spring. We measure both before we recommend one, and we replace the check valve with the pump.
Sump Pump Questions
How long does a sump pump last?
Many pumps last somewhere around 7 to 10 years, but it depends on how often yours runs. A pump in a pit that fills after every rain works far harder than one that runs a few times a year. If yours is old and the basement matters to you, replacing it on your schedule beats replacing it during a storm.
Where should the sump pump discharge?
Outside, and far enough from the house that the water does not soak back down to the foundation and into the pit again. It should not empty into a floor drain, a laundry tub or a sewer cleanout: that sends groundwater into the sanitary sewer, which is the last place it should go during a storm.
My sump pump runs all the time. Is that a problem?
During a wet spring, frequent cycling can be normal. Running nonstop in dry weather usually means a stuck float switch, a check valve letting water fall back into the pit, or a pump too small for the inflow. A pump that never rests wears out early, so it is worth a look.
Do I need a battery backup?
If the basement is finished, or holds anything you would hate to lose, it is worth considering. Storms that fill the pit are the same storms that knock out the power. A battery backup pump sits in the pit next to the main pump and takes over when the power fails or the main pump cannot keep up.
Pit filling and the pump is quiet?
Call now. If the pump is just old or noisy, send a request and we will test it before the next storm. Open Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 11:30 pm and Sat–Sun 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.