About Sump Pumps

Sump Pump Installation and Repair in Akron, CO

A sump pump is a submersible or pedestal pump installed in a pit at the lowest point of a basement or crawlspace. When groundwater, rain infiltration, or foundation seepage raises the water level in the pit to a trigger point, a float switch activates the pump, which moves the accumulated water through a discharge line to a point away from the foundation. Without a functioning sump pump, water that enters the pit overflows and spreads across the basement floor.

Gainesville Plumber installs primary sump pumps, battery backup sump pumps, combination primary and backup systems, and pedestal pumps for pits that are too narrow for a standard submersible unit. We service all major brands including Zoeller, Wayne, Little Giant, Liberty, and Basement Watchdog. When a pump fails, we can typically have a replacement installed and operational the same day for most locations in Akron, CO.

In addition to new installations and replacements, we repair discharge lines that have become disconnected, frozen, or damaged, replace check valves that have failed and allowed water to back-flow into the pit, and service the float switch assemblies that trigger and terminate the pump cycle. Annual sump pump testing before the heavy rain season is one of the most valuable preventive maintenance steps a homeowner can take.

System Types

Types of Sump Pump Systems We Install

Submersible Sump Pump

The most common residential type. Motor and impeller are sealed within a watertight housing that sits submerged in the pit. Quieter and more efficient than pedestal types, and appropriate for most standard pit dimensions.

Pedestal Sump Pump

Motor mounted above the pit on a pedestal, with the impeller extending into the pit. Used when pit diameter is too narrow for a submersible unit. Louder when running but typically easier to service.

Battery Backup Sump Pump

A secondary pump system that activates when the primary pump fails or when power is lost. Essential for Akron, CO homeowners in flood-prone areas where heavy rain and power outages often coincide.

Water-Powered Backup Pump

Uses municipal water pressure to operate a venturi ejector pump with no electricity required. Does not rely on a battery that can lose charge over time. Requires adequate water pressure and a drain for the discharge water used.

Repair and Maintenance

Common Sump Pump Problems We Repair

Test Your Sump Pump Before It Rains

The most common time a sump pump fails is during a heavy rain event, which is also the worst possible time to discover the problem. Testing your pump is simple: pour water into the pit until the float triggers the pump, then verify the pump runs and the water level drops. If the pump does not start, runs but does not move water, or runs continuously, call Gainesville Plumber for same-day service before the next storm.

Sump pump failures most often result from a failed float switch that no longer triggers the pump at the correct water level, a burned-out motor from running dry or overworking during prolonged rain events, a clogged impeller from debris entering the pit, or a failed check valve that allows discharged water to flow back into the pit, causing the pump to cycle continuously until the motor burns out.

  • Float switch testing, adjustment, and replacement
  • Pump motor testing and replacement
  • Check valve inspection and replacement
  • Discharge line cleaning, repair, and rerouting
  • Sump pit cleaning and inlet screen clearing
  • Pump alarm and alert system installation
Installation Standards

How We Install Sump Pumps in Akron, CO

Discharge Line Placement Matters

A sump pump that discharges too close to the foundation accomplishes nothing, as the water simply re-infiltrates back to the pit. We route discharge lines a minimum of ten feet from the foundation and direct them to daylight at a location that drains away from the property rather than toward neighboring properties or public walkways. In many cases, we can connect to an existing downspout drain or storm pipe where local codes permit.

A properly installed sump pump system includes correctly sized pump for the pit volume and expected water infiltration rate, a properly sized discharge line, a check valve immediately above the pump to prevent back-flow, and a discharge point that drains well away from the foundation. The pump should be seated on a solid, level surface in the pit and the pit cover should be sealed to prevent radon and sewer gases from entering the basement through the pit opening.

  • Pump sizing based on pit dimensions and infiltration rate
  • Check valve installation on discharge outlet
  • Discharge line routed minimum 10 feet from foundation
  • Pit cover sealed for radon and gas containment
  • GFCI-protected outlet verification for pump power
  • Complete operational test before job completion