Home › Start here
Start Here: Sump Pump Guides by Problem
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we make money.
The short answer: Test your pump before the wet season, then decide if you need a backup. Use the groups below for noises, smells, constant running, costs and replacement.
Does my sump pump need a backup?
How sump pumps work
- What is a sump pump?
Pit, float, discharge pipe, parts and lifespan - Pedestal vs submersible
Where the motor sits, noise, price, how to choose - How long sump pumps last
Lifespan estimate and signs it is time to replace - Where a sump pump should discharge
Distance from the house, sewers, septic fields and permits
Problems and tests
- Sump pump not working
Signs of failure, causes, testing and repair vs replace - Sump pump runs every 5 minutes
Check valve, float, discharge loop, pump size: what to check - Sump pump making noise
Clanging, gurgling, grinding: causes and fixes - Sump pump smells
Dry drain traps, covers and sewer gas - How to test a sump pump
Step-by-step test, how often, and the weep hole
Backups
- Does My Sump Pump Need a Backup
Answer six questions based on Ann Arbor's backup risk factors to learn whether your sump pump needs a backup and which backup types fit. - Sump Pump Battery Backup
Sump pump battery backup: who needs one, how long it runs, how to match it to your pump, and sourced prices from Consumer Reports and Ann Arbor. - Battery and water-powered backup
Battery vs water-powered vs generator, with run times
Cost and replacement
- Sump pump cost
Sourced prices for installs, backups, batteries, alarms - Replacement and installation
DIY vs plumber, permits, code and what to buy
Sources
- This page only lists our guides. Each guide ends with the sources it uses.