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Sump Pump Replacement and Installation: DIY vs Plumber, Permits and Code
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Replace or install new?
| Replacing a pump in an existing pit | Installing a new pit and pump | |
|---|---|---|
| What it involves | Swapping the pump, float and check valve in the pit you have. | Adding a basin, pump, discharge piping and power for a house that has none. |
| Permits | Ask your building department. Rules vary. | Boston requires a plumbing permit and may require an electrical permit for new circuits. A discharge permit may also apply. |
| Who | Check local rules. Some places allow homeowners to do their own work; others require a licensed plumber. | Boston says a licensed professional should install the pump and basin. |
Sources: City of Boston, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. These are two examples; your rules may differ.
What to check when you buy
- Type. Pedestal or submersible. See our comparison.
- Capacity. Ann Arbor says primary pumps typically pump at about 30 gallons per minute (1/3 HP) or 60 gallons per minute (1/2 HP). Ask a pro what your pit needs.
- Check valve. NDSU Extension says either type should have one on the outlet pipe. Ann Arbor lists the age of the check valve as a risk factor, so consider replacing it at the same time (our suggestion).
- Float. NDSU Extension says the float control can have different configurations, and the on/off distance is adjustable on some models but not others.
- Backup. If you are replacing the pump anyway, consider whether to add one. See the backup checker.
Permits and code: two examples
- Boston: a sump pump and basin should be installed by a licensed professional. A plumbing permit is required, and an electrical permit may be needed for new circuits or upgrades. Sump pumps may not discharge to the city's sewer system, and a dewatering discharge permit is needed to discharge into stormwater drains.
- New Jersey: if the pump connects to the dwelling's existing plumbing drainage system, only a master plumber or a homeowner working on their own single-family dwelling may do the work, and a Uniform Construction Code permit as minor work is required. If the discharge line doesn't connect to the building's plumbing, a master plumber isn't required but a minor-work permit still is. Plugging a pump into a preexisting outlet does not require an electrical permit.
- Your town may differ. Ann Arbor says even its battery-backup installations generally require a permit from the local building department.
Radon and the sump pit
Boston says to be sure the basin is properly sealed to prevent radon gas from entering your home. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas; EPA recommends testing every home. Our sister site Radon Answers explains testing and what results mean.
DIY or plumber?
Do it yourself only if your local rules allow it and you are comfortable with plumbing and household wiring. Hire a licensed plumber and electrician for new pits, new circuits, discharge connections and anything your town says needs a license. Get at least three written quotes (Boston). Ask each one about permits, discharge location and radon sealing.
Want a licensed pro to do it?
Boston's flood guidance says a sump pump and basin should be installed by a licensed professional. Get at least three written quotes and ask about permits.
Replacement and installation guideFind a licensed plumberAdd a backup while you are at it?
A backup keeps the basement dry when the power goes out or the main pump fails. Read the pros and cons of battery, water-powered and generator options first.
Battery vs water-powered backupBrowse battery backup pumpsCommon questions
Can I install a sump pump myself?
It depends on where you live. Boston's guidance says a sump pump and basin should be installed by a licensed professional, and that a plumbing permit is required. In New Jersey, state guidance says that if the pump connects to the home's existing plumbing drainage system, only a master plumber or a homeowner working on their own single-family dwelling may do the work, with a permit as minor work. Check your own local rules.
Do I need a permit?
Often yes for a new installation. Boston requires a plumbing permit and says an electrical permit may be needed for new circuits or upgrades. New Jersey requires a minor-work permit but says plugging a sump pump into a preexisting outlet does not require an electrical permit. Rules vary, so call your local building department.
Where can the water be discharged?
Rules vary by city. NDSU Extension says the discharge pipe outside should direct water away from the house and not be plugged. Boston says sump pumps may not discharge to the city's sewer system and that discharging into its stormwater drains needs a dewatering discharge permit.
Why seal the sump pit?
Boston says to be sure the basin is properly sealed to prevent radon gas from entering your home, and to test radon levels annually to make sure they are below the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L.
Related guides
- Sump pump cost
- Pedestal vs submersible
- Sump pump not working: signs and repair
- What is a sump pump?
- How long do sump pumps last?
- City of Boston: Flood Retrofits (cost and useful-life figures are the city's estimates)
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs: Construction Code Communicator, Winter 2018 (“Permits are Not Required for Basement Drains – Update”)
- NDSU Agriculture and Extension: Sump Pumps
- NDSU Extension: Check Your Sump Pump Now (March 14, 2016)
- City of Ann Arbor, Michigan: Sump Pump Backup Options (PDF)
Free printable: Sump Pump Fall Check
A ten-minute test before the wet season. Download the one-page PDF now, or get it by email along with a short series of five helpful emails.