A sump pump that fails during a heavy rain can put inches of water in a basement within hours. We answer 24/7 in Savage for sump pump emergencies, and same-day service is available when we can. If water is rising, move stored items up, switch off power to the basement only if the panel is dry and call us.
If the pump runs but the pit keeps filling, the pump may be undersized or the discharge may be blocked. If it does not run at all, the switch, the power or the motor has failed.
When a sump pump failure is an emergency
- The pit is full and the pump is silent
- The pump runs constantly and the water level does not drop
- A power outage during a storm with no battery backup
- Water on the basement floor around the pit
- A pump that cycles on and off every few seconds
Why pumps fail
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Silent with a full pit | Float switch stuck or motor burned out | Free or replace the switch, or replace the pump |
| Runs but does not move water | Check valve failed or discharge frozen | Replace the valve, thaw or clear the line |
| Runs nonstop | Float stuck, or very high groundwater | Reset the float, check the pit size |
| Loud grinding | Debris in the impeller | Clean or replace the pump |
| Cycles every few seconds | Pit too small or check valve leaking back | Resize the pit, replace the valve |
Pit filling up?
Call the 24/7 line and we triage the pump by phone.
Repair, replace or add backup
Most pumps last several years. A pump past that age that fails on a stormy night is cheaper to replace than to repair. A battery backup or a water-powered backup keeps the basement dry when the power fails, which is when storms often cause outages.
- 1
Inspect the pit
We check size, float, discharge route and condition of the pump.
- 2
Test the pump
We lift the float and watch it run and discharge.
- 3
Repair or replace
A bad switch is a small fix. A failing motor is a replacement.
- 4
Add backup
A battery system or a second pump is an option we explain with its trade-offs.
Savage water conditions
Savage sits in the Minnesota River valley. The Credit River and Eagle Creek cross the city, and the Savage Fen wetland complex covers hundreds of acres within the refuge. Spring snowmelt and heavy summer storms can raise groundwater near these areas. Basements in lower areas see more sump activity than those on high ground.
In winter, the discharge line can freeze at its outlet. We route and slope it with this in mind, and we check the outlet when we service a pump in fall.
A fall checklist for your sump pit
- Pour a bucket of water in the pit and confirm the pump starts and empties it
- Clean any debris from the pit and the pump intake
- Check that the discharge line is clear and its outlet is not buried
- Confirm the check valve clicks shut after the pump stops
- Test the battery backup, if you have one
Cost factors
A switch, a pump and a backup are different price points. We quote before work starts.
Many policies exclude water that enters from the ground. A sump pump overflow endorsement may apply, so read your policy.
A pump alone does not fix a wet foundation. See basement waterproofing for drainage and moisture control, and leak detection to rule out a pipe. We help homes in Savage and in Shakopee and other nearby towns.
Code and sources
Minnesota Rules chapter 4714 is the state plumbing code and the standard a licensed plumber works to. The Department of Labor and Industry states that it incorporates the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with Minnesota amendments. Your city building department decides when a permit or inspection is needed, so check with them before work begins.
Common questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7, and same-day service is offered when we can.
Check it at the start of spring and after a long dry spell by pouring water in the pit. It should start and empty it.
If your basement floods during outages, yes. We can explain how long a battery runs.
Groundwater, a leaking pipe or a failing check valve can cause it. We trace which.
Away from the foundation, and not toward a neighbor. We check the route.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120