Basements, crawl spaces and window wells

Sump Pump Repair and Installation in Brighton, CO

A sump pump is quiet until the night it matters. Test it before the storm, not during it. If it hums without pumping, cycles constantly or has never been checked, this is the page to start with.

Call (720) 794-0054
  • Repair and replacement
  • Battery backup options
  • Line answered 24/7

Signs your sump pump is failing

  • The pump runs constantly or cycles every few seconds.
  • It hums but does not move water.
  • It makes grinding, rattling or banging noises.
  • Water in the pit does not drop after a storm.
  • The float sticks against the side of the pit.
  • The pump is more than ten years old or has never been tested.
  • Musty smells or damp spots appear along a basement wall.

Test it in two minutes

  1. Check powerMake sure the pump is plugged into a working GFCI outlet and the breaker is on.
  2. Pour water inAdd a few buckets of water to the pit until the float rises.
  3. Watch the cycleThe pump should start, empty the pit and shut off.
  4. Check the dischargeWater should leave the house through the pipe and drain away from the foundation.
  5. Clean the pitRemove silt and debris that could jam the float.

If the pump does not start, do not reach into the pit with it plugged in. Unplug it first.

Pump types and backup power

Choosing the right setup

TypeHow it worksNotes
SubmersibleSits inside the pit, quieter and handles moreA common choice for finished basements
PedestalMotor sits above the pitEasier to service, louder, shorter lifespan in many cases
Battery backupRuns a second pump when power failsStorms often cause outages, which is when pumps are needed most
Water-powered backupUses water pressure to run a backup pumpNeeds adequate municipal pressure and a suitable discharge

A backup is worth discussing if your basement is finished or holds stored items. Ask the plumber about battery runtime and alarm options.

Pump not running and rain on the way?

Call now. A pump replacement is often possible on short notice. Ask the dispatcher for the earliest window.

Call (720) 794-0054

Discharge, check valves and the pit

A pump is only as good as the pipe it pushes into. A discharge that ends too close to the foundation sends water straight back. A missing check valve lets water fall back into the pit, so the pump cycles more than it should.

Extend the discharge well away from the house and to ground that slopes downhill. Local rules apply to where sump water may go, including a prohibition on sending it into the sanitary sewer in many places. Ask the plumber what applies at your address.

When water is already in the basement

Stay out of standing water if electrical outlets or appliances are submerged. Shut power to the area at the panel if you can reach it dry. Call and describe what you see. Water extraction and drying are separate from plumbing. See water damage restoration and its own phone line. A sump pump visit fixes the cause, not the cleanup.

Related plumbing checks

A pump that cycles when no storm is present may point to a leak. A leak detection visit can separate groundwater from a broken line. A backed-up floor drain is a drain problem, not a sump problem. Window wells and exterior drainage are separate from the pit. Gutters and grading matter too. Keep downspouts discharging well away from the foundation.

What changes the price

Pricing depends on the pump, the pit and the discharge. Ask the dispatcher for a clear quote before work starts.

Pump type and size

Capacity and horsepower vary by home.

Backup system

Battery or water-powered backups add equipment.

Pit condition

A new pit or liner adds scope.

Discharge route

Longer runs and buried lines cost more.

Electrical

A dedicated GFCI outlet may be needed.

Questions callers ask us

Many last around ten years with normal use. Heavy use, debris and age shorten that. A test each season shows how yours is doing.

A stuck float, a failed check valve, a high water table or a leak can cause it. A plumber can tell which.

It is worth considering if you have a finished basement or stored valuables. Storms often cause outages.

Well away from the foundation and to ground that slopes away. Local rules may limit where it can drain.

Installation involves a pit, a pump and a discharge route. Describe the basement when you call and the plumber can plan it.

A plumber can fix the pump and the source. Drying and restoration is a separate service with its own line.

The line is answered 24/7. Storm nights are busy, so ask for the earliest window.

Brighton Plumbing Co.

Keep the basement dry before the next storm

Call to test, repair or replace a sump pump. Mention battery backup if you want it priced.

Call (720) 794-0054Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Our Brighton Service Area

Brighton, Thornton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Fort Lupton, Lochbuie, Henderson, Dacono, Firestone, Hudson, Aurora and Broomfield sit inside this service area.

Call Now: (720) 794-0054 · 24/7