A sump pump that quits while the basin is filling is a race against the rain. If water is rising and the pump is silent, keep electronics and boxes off the floor, stay out of a flooded basement while the power is live, and call our 24/7 line at (855) 575-2890. Do not wade into standing water near outlets or the panel.
Sump pump repair means getting a failed pump, float switch, check valve or discharge line working again. Installation means setting a new pump in the pit, with a discharge line that carries water away from the foundation.
Storms do not keep business hours, so we answer overnight and on weekends. If the basin is not yet at the rim, we may be able to suggest a stopgap while a plumber is on the way. Permit-required work follows the Ohio Plumbing Code, which was updated effective March 1, 2024.
Pump failed in a storm: what to do now
Your goal is to buy time and stay safe. Do these steps while you wait for a plumber.
Stay out of standing water
If the water is deep enough to reach outlets, the panel or appliances, leave the basement. A shock is a real risk, and no stored item is worth it.
Check the plug and the breaker
Look for a tripped breaker or a loose plug before assuming the pump is dead. If the outlet has a reset button, press it once from dry footing.
Lift out what is on the floor
Boxes, rugs and electronics go up onto shelves or tables. The first inch of water does a lot of damage to anything that wicks it up.
Bail only if it is safe
If you can reach the basin from a dry spot, a bucket or wet vacuum can slow the rise. Do not use mains-powered equipment while standing in water.
Why a sump pump fails and what fixes it
Most failures trace to a short list of causes. The pump itself is not always the problem.
| What happens | Likely cause | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Pump hums but moves no water | Clogged intake or stuck impeller | Clean the intake or replace the pump |
| Pump never turns on as the basin fills | Float switch stuck or power lost | Free or replace the float, restore power |
| Pump runs without stopping | Float stuck on, or check valve failed so water drains back | Replace the float or the check valve |
| Loud thumping after each cycle | Water falling back through a faulty check valve | Replace the check valve |
| Discharge pipe is dripping or blocked shut | Joint leak or blocked outlet | Repair the line and clear the outlet |
| No power during a storm | Outage with no backup | Add a battery backup pump |
The pump motor is often fine. A float or check valve problem is cheaper to fix than a new pump.
Rain, rivers and where the water may go
NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for the Sidney station put annual precipitation at 41.65 inches. That is a lot of water to move away from a foundation each year, and a sump pump may run through many wet weeks in a row. A pump that is a few years old and seldom tested is worth checking before spring rain.
The Great Miami River gauge at Sidney records a high water history. The record crest was 19.6 feet in March 1913, then 15.91 feet in January 1959 and 15.61 feet in December 2013. For a home near the river, that means groundwater can rise during river floods, and a pump may run for days.
The City of Sidney names sump pump and foundation drain connections to the sanitary sewer as sources of inflow in its inflow and infiltration program, and a 2009 Flood Abatement Program names them too. Ask the City where a discharge may go before you change or reroute one, and follow any notice you receive.
Stay out of standing water and call. A plumber answers at any hour.
Pit pumps, ejector pumps and below-grade bathrooms
A sump pump sits in a pit and handles groundwater from the footing drains. It pumps clear water out through a discharge line to the yard, with a check valve to stop it returning. A float switch starts the pump when the basin fills and stops it when the water drops.
An ejector pump is a different machine. It lifts wastewater from a basement bathroom, laundry or floor drain up to the sewer line, and it sits in a sealed basin. If an ejector pump fails, sewage can back up into the fixture, so treat a gurgling basement toilet as urgent and avoid contact with the water. If several fixtures are slow, the cause may be the main line, which is a case for sewer line repair.
Battery backup is the usual answer to storm outages. A second pump on its own battery runs when the main one cannot, and we explain the limits of how long it lasts. A water-powered backup is another option in some homes.
A pump visit from first look to final test
Look at the basin
We check the pit, the float and the intake for debris, and confirm that the pump has power.
Test the pump and valve
We pour water into the basin to watch the cycle and see whether the check valve holds.
Check the discharge line
We follow the line outside to confirm it is tight, pitched correctly and free to drain.
Quote and repair
You hear the price and the options before we replace anything, then we run a final cycle.
What shapes the price of sump pump work
We do not quote over the phone because the pump, the pit and the discharge route change the work. After we look at the basin, you get a clear price before work starts.
Insurance often treats sudden water damage differently from seepage over time, and some policies cover sump failure only with a rider. Photograph the damage and ask your insurer what applies.
When a pump is only part of the answer
A pump moves water out of the pit, but it does not stop water from entering. If the basin cycles constantly in dry weather, or water seeps through the walls, the cause is a drainage or grading problem. Our guide to basement waterproofing explains what interior drainage and grading can and cannot do.
A damp spot that shows up with no rain is a different clue. It may come from a pipe, and leak detection can tell groundwater from a supply or drain leak. We cover Sidney and nearby Botkins and the surrounding villages.
Common questions
Do you handle sump pump repair emergencies at night or on weekends in Sidney?
Yes. Our line is open 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays, and storms are when we get most pump calls. If the basin is rising, we dispatch right away. A slower problem gets the next open appointment.
Why does my sump pump run constantly?
The float may be stuck, the check valve may be letting water fall back, or groundwater may be high after a long rain. A pump that runs in dry weather deserves a look, because a stuck float can burn out the motor.
Can I send my sump pump discharge into the sewer?
Do not change it on your own. The City of Sidney names sump pump and foundation drain connections to the sanitary sewer as sources of inflow, so ask the City where a discharge may go before you make any change.
Do I need a battery backup for my sump pump?
It is a good idea if your basement has flooded in outages. Storms often knock out power just when the pump is needed most. A backup pump on its own battery keeps working, and we explain its run time.
How often should I test my sump pump?
Test it before the wet season and after any long dry spell. Pour a bucket of water into the pit, watch the float lift and the pump switch on, and listen for the check valve to close without a loud knock.
What is the difference between a sump pump and an ejector pump?
A sump pump removes groundwater from a pit. An ejector pump lifts wastewater from a basement bathroom or laundry up to the sewer line. If you have a basement toilet, you probably have an ejector, and it needs the same care.