Plenty of Chicago basements have a pit in the floor with a pump in it, and people tend to call it a sump pump no matter what it does. That’s understandable, but there are really two different machines, and knowing which one you have makes repair calls a lot easier.
The sump pump
A sump pump deals with groundwater. Rain and soil water collect in the pit, and the pump sends it outside or to a proper discharge point so it doesn’t seep into your basement. Its whole purpose is to keep the space dry.
The ejector pump
An ejector pump handles wastewater. If you have a bathroom, laundry sink or utility sink below the level of the sewer line, drains from those fixtures flow into a sealed pit, and the ejector lifts it up to the main sewer. It’s built to move solids, which a sump pump isn’t.
When one is going bad
You’ll hear it before you see it. A pump that runs constantly, or kicks on and off every few seconds, is struggling. So is one that hums but doesn’t move water, or one that makes grinding or rattling noises. Water or a smell around the pit is a sign too. And if the pump is fine on a dry day but can’t keep up in a storm, it may be too small or worn out.
The usual causes are dull but common: a float switch stuck in place, a check valve that has failed, an intake clogged with debris, or a motor at the end of its life. Power cuts during storms are another reason pumps fail exactly when you need them.
Looking after yours
Pour some water into the pit now and then and make sure the pump starts and shuts off. Clear out debris and check that the float moves freely. Look at the discharge pipe outside to be sure it isn’t kinked or frozen and that it drains away from the house. Know roughly how old the pump is, because they don’t last forever. If the basement has flooded before, ask about a battery backup.
Repair or replace?
A stuck float or a clogged intake is usually a quick repair. A burned-out motor or a cracked housing is more often a replacement. If the pump simply isn’t big enough for the basement, a new one sized correctly is the better answer. We’ll explain which one you have, and give you the price before we start. Our sump and ejector pump repair page has more.
If the house keeps taking on water even with a working pump, the problem may not be the pump at all. An overhead sewer conversion deals with the sewer side. And if your pump quits in the middle of a storm, call (773) 588-1200 any time.