- 833-603-1840
- info@jprplumbingnewton.com
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 21:00
Albertson, NY
For homes with a sump pump, a pump that stops working, clogs, or runs without stopping can let water collect in the basement during a storm. JPR Plumbing fixes sump pumps in Albertson homes, and checks the float, check valve, and outlet pipe while we are there.
The pump sits in a pit set into the lowest part of the basement floor. As the water level climbs, a float switch starts the pump and the water is sent outdoors through a pipe. A check valve keeps it from flowing back once the pump stops.
Failures generally trace back to the switch, the motor, the check valve, or the outlet line. Silt and debris in the pit can also jam the float or clog the intake. Finding which part has failed decides whether the fix is quick or the pump needs replacing.
Because a pump can sit idle between storms, problems often go unnoticed until heavy rain arrives. Testing it a few times a year is the best way to avoid surprises. Listen for new noises, too, since a pump that sounds different often has a problem developing.
Safety first: keep out of any water near outlets or cords, and keep your hands out of the pit while the pump is plugged in. Avoid wading through deep water down there. Move belongings to higher ground only if it is safe.
Pump problems
The first row covers common symptoms, the second explains what usually causes them, and the third shows how a plumber fixes them.
A stuck float, failed switch, or power problem leaves the pit filling.
A stuck switch, or a pump too small for the inflow, keeps running without a break.
Silt and debris can block the pump and stop water from moving.
Floats catch on the pit wall or cord and stay in the wrong position.
Water flows back into the pit, making the pump cycle repeatedly.
Leaves, soil, or ice can block the pipe outside.
Power, switch, pump, check valve, and discharge line are tested.
Debris is cleared and failed parts or the pump are replaced.
Water is added to the pit to prove the pump starts, drains it, and switches off.
Albertson homes
Not every Albertson home has a sump pump. Where one is installed, the basement depends on it during heavy rain, and a failure tends to show up during exactly the storm when it matters most. Homes with finished basements have the most to lose. Albertson is a residential hamlet in the Town of North Hempstead, and whether a home needs a pump depends on how water collects around that particular house.
Ready.gov’s flood safety guidance warns never to walk through flood water and notes that six inches of moving water can knock a person down.
Pour a bucket of water into the pit in spring and fall, and make sure the pump starts and shuts off on its own. Note how long it takes to empty the pit.
Check that the discharge pipe outside is free of leaves, soil, and ice and sends water away from the foundation. In winter, snow can bury the end of the pipe.
Repair work depends on the failed part, the pump’s age, pit access, and the condition of the outlet line. Clearing debris or freeing a float can be quick, while a burned-out motor usually means a new pump. If the pump struggles in heavy rain, the plumber can discuss whether a different setup would suit the basement better. The choices are explained before work starts.
Related services
Water that rises through a floor drain and smells of sewage is a drain problem, and the page on wastewater coming up through a basement drain explains what to do. For other needs, see the full range of plumbing services available in Albertson.
Homeowners in East Williston, Williston Park, Roslyn Heights, Searingtown, and Mineola can reach us the same way.
Reach us at (833) 603-1840 Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., or send a request online. Let us know what the pump is doing and whether water is still rising.
Questions
At least twice a year and before the stormy season. Fill the pit and watch the pump cycle.
A stuck switch, a failed check valve, or more water than the pump can handle can all cause constant running. Get it looked at before another storm hits.
Often, yes. Clearing the intake and pit can restore it if the motor has not been damaged.
A standard pump will stop. Ask about backup options if your basement relies on it during storms.
Yes. A cover keeps debris and objects out and helps the float move freely. It also cuts down on odors and moisture from the pit.
Have a related question? Our guide covers the switch that tells a sump pump to run, and another article explains what a sump pump can and cannot handle.
