Sump Pump Repair in Frederick: Keep Your Basement Dry

A large share of Frederick homes have basements, from the older houses near Baker Park to the newer subdivisions in Ballenger Creek and Urbana. When groundwater rises after a long rain or a fast snowmelt, the sump pump is the only thing standing between that water and your finished floor. Most homeowners don't think about it until the day it stops.

Common Sump Pump Problems

• A float switch that sticks against the side of the pit, so the pump never turns on
• A pump that hums or runs but doesn't move water, often a jammed impeller or a failed check valve
• Short cycling, where the pump turns on and off every few seconds
• A frozen or crushed discharge line outside, which sends water straight back into the pit
• An old pump that simply wears out after years of service

Repair or Replace?

A stuck float, clogged intake screen or bad check valve can usually be fixed on the spot. If the motor is burning out or the pump is near the end of its life, we replace it with a correctly sized unit and test it by filling the pit until it cycles.

Battery Backup Pumps

The heaviest storms are also the ones most likely to knock the power out. A battery backup pump sits next to the main pump and takes over when the power drops or the main pump can't keep up, with an alarm so you know it is running. For finished basements, it is one of the most worthwhile additions you can make.

Where the Water Goes

We also check the discharge side: the line should carry water well away from the foundation and should not be tied into the sanitary sewer. If water is pooling against the house or the line freezes every January, rerouting it is part of the fix. For a basement that has already taken on water from a plumbing failure, see our leak detection and repair service.