Is this your problem?
- Pump doesn't turn on when the pit fills
- Pump runs constantly without shutting off
- Loud grinding, rattling, or vibrating
- Water in the pit never drops, or the basement is damp despite the pump
- Pump is 7+ years old and has never been serviced
Sump Pump Failure? Get a licensed pro on the line now.
Free for homeowners · 24/7 · Licensed local pros
What to do right now
Test it right now
Pour a bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise and the pump should kick on, drain the pit, and shut off. If any step fails, you found your problem.
Check power
Make sure it's plugged in, the outlet works, and the breaker hasn't tripped. Storms trip breakers at the worst moment.
Free the float
The float switch jams on pit walls and debris more than anything else. Clear the pit and make sure the float moves freely.
Check the discharge line
Follow the pipe outside — it should be clear and directing water away from the foundation. A frozen or clogged discharge line makes the pump run forever.
Call for service or backup
Call (844) 699-1165. A pro can replace a dead pump in one visit — and ask about battery backup systems, because pumps love failing during power outages.
Stay safe
- Don't reach into a sump pit with standing water if there's any chance of electrical fault — test from dry footing.
- Unplug the pump before clearing debris around the float.
- A constantly running pump can overheat — don't ignore it for days.
Mistakes to avoid
- Never testing the pump until the basement floods.
- No battery backup — the #1 sump failure mode is 'power went out during the storm.'
- Discharge line dumping water right against the foundation — it just cycles back in.
- Replacing the pump but not the check valve — then wondering why the pit refills.
What to tell the plumber when you call
Have these answers ready — it gets you the right pro faster and a more accurate quote.
- What the pump does: dead, constant run, noisy, or weak
- The pump's age and whether it has battery backup
- Whether the basement has actually taken water
- The discharge line's condition and where it exits
- How often the pit fills in normal rain
Not quite your problem?
| Sewage backing up (not groundwater) | Sewer backup — different system → |
| Yard flooding with no basement | Surface drainage issue → |
| No sump pit at all, basement flooding | You may need a system installed — call to discuss → |
Sump Pump Failure — FAQs
How long do sump pumps last?
Do I really need battery backup?
Why does my pump run every few minutes even when it's dry?
Can a plumber install a sump pump where there isn't one?
Sump Pump Failure Guides by Metro
Same problem, local context — climate, housing, and water conditions that change the advice.