Repair and installation
Sump pump repair and installation
A plumber tests the float switch, check valve and discharge line to find why a pump is not clearing water, or sizes and installs a new pump matched to how much water the property actually needs to move during heavy rain.
- Float switch, check valve and discharge line all tested, not just the motor
- New pumps sized to the property, not swapped like-for-like automatically
Why is my sump pump not keeping up during heavy rain?
A sump pump that runs but cannot keep the water level down during a heavy storm usually has one of three problems: a float switch that is not triggering the pump reliably, a check valve that is letting pumped water flow back into the basin, or a pump that is simply undersized for how much water is actually arriving during South Florida’s heavier rain events. A pump that does not run at all is more often a power issue, a jammed impeller, or a switch that has failed outright.
Because these look similar from above ground, and water is not going down fast enough either way, each part gets tested individually rather than the whole unit being replaced on a guess. A pump sized correctly for the property is also worth confirming, since undersized pumps are a common reason a system that worked for years suddenly cannot keep up. Where a property has none, that drainage pattern is checked first.
Signs to watch for
What a struggling sump pump usually looks like
Worth checking before the next heavy storm, not during one. A pump that has never been tested is the riskiest kind, since a failure only shows up once it is already needed.
Running constantly, even without rain
The pump cycles on and off frequently with no obvious source of water.
Water pooling despite the pump running
The pump is audibly running but the water level is not dropping.
No sound at all during a storm
The pump does not appear to be running when it should be.
A discharge line that backs up or freezes shut
Water pumped out returns to the basin instead of draining away from the house.
A basin that fills faster than the pump clears
If water rises noticeably between cycles, the pump may be undersized for how much water the lot actually moves during heavy rain.
A battery backup that has never been checked
A backup system is only useful if it still holds a charge, and that is worth confirming before storm season rather than during an outage.
Questions
What people ask before booking
Do most homes in this area have a sump pump?
It depends on the property: low-lying lots and homes near canals or lakes are more likely to have or need one than higher ground nearby.
How do I know if I need one installed?
If a low-lying part of your property regularly holds standing water during heavy rain, it is worth a conversation about whether a sump pump makes sense for your specific lot.
Should I test my pump before hurricane season?
Yes, testing the float switch and running the pump before the rainy season starts is a reasonable precaution; call and we can check it.
How fast can you respond if it fails during a storm?
Sump pump failure during active heavy rain is treated as an emergency call, dispatched the same way any urgent plumbing issue is.
Can a sump pump be installed where there is not one already?
Yes, a plumber can evaluate a low-lying area of the property and install a basin and pump sized to it, rather than assuming every lot needs the same setup.
What happens if the discharge line freezes or backs up?
In this climate that is rare, but a blocked or improperly sloped discharge line still sends water right back toward the house, so it is checked as part of any pump service call.
Standing water on your property?
Get the pump tested before the next storm
A sump pump is worth checking before heavy rain, not during it. Tell us whether the pump runs, and whether the water level actually drops when it does.
No obligation. If it is actively raining and the pump is not keeping up, call now.