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Long Island City, NY
In LIC homes with basements, a sump pump that stops during heavy rain can let water collect fast. JPR Plumbing helps Long Island City homeowners repair or replace sump pumps that won’t start, run constantly, or can’t keep up. Call (833) 603-1840 if your basement is taking on water.
A sump pump sits in a pit at the lowest point of a basement or cellar. Groundwater and seepage collect in the pit, and when the level rises, a float switch starts the pump. The pump pushes water out through a discharge pipe, and a check valve stops it from flowing back in.
Most LIC residents in high-rise buildings won’t have their own sump pump, but many rowhouses, two-family homes, and converted buildings with basements do. Because the pump sits idle between storms, failures often go unnoticed until water is rising. Learn more about our services on the JPR Plumbing homepage.
Here’s what sump pump trouble looks like, why pumps fail, and what a plumber can do.
A full pit with no pump running points to a failed switch, motor, or power supply.
Constant running can mean a stuck float, a failed check valve, or more water than the pump can handle.
A humming motor that doesn’t move water may have a jammed impeller or blocked intake.
The float can catch on the pit wall or cord and fail to start or stop the pump.
Storms can cut power just when heavy rain is filling the pit.
Debris or ice in the outlet pipe keeps water from leaving even while the pump runs.
A plumber addresses the switch, intake, or discharge to get water moving out again.
Switches and check valves can often be replaced. A worn-out pump may need replacing.
A battery backup pump or high-water alarm can add protection during storms and outages.
Long Island City considerations
Heavier rainstorms and LIC’s low-lying waterfront areas make basement drainage worth paying attention to.
01
NYC’s Stormwater Resiliency Plan notes that extreme rain can back up into basements and streets and that the city expects more days with heavy rainfall, and it urges property owners to take steps to reduce flood risk.
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Areas near the East River and Newtown Creek can see higher groundwater and more pressure on basement drainage during storms. Homes with finished basements in these areas have the most to lose if a pump fails.
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A sump pump moves groundwater. Water rising through a floor drain is usually a sewer issue that needs a different fix.
Stay out of basement water near outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel until the area is safe.
Basement water can have more than one cause. You can also see all of our plumbing services in Long Island City. Related services include:
We serve homeowners and unit owners across Long Island City, including Hunters Point, Court Square, Queens Plaza, Dutch Kills, and Ravenswood. Contact us to confirm availability at your address.
Repair costs
Sump pump repair costs depend on what failed and the condition of the system. Factors include:
After checking the pump, float switch, check valve, and discharge line, a plumber can explain whether a repair or a new pump makes more sense for your basement.
Questions
Common reasons include a power outage, a stuck float switch, a jammed impeller, or an old, worn-out pump.
If storms in your area often bring power outages, a backup pump can keep removing water when the main pump can’t run.
A float set too low, a small pit, or a failed check valve letting water flow back can cause short cycling.
No. Sump pumps handle groundwater. Sewer backups need line cleaning, repairs, or a backwater valve.
The city’s Stormwater Resiliency Plan suggests delaying laundry, dishwashing, and flushing during heavy rain.
Check before storm season that the float moves freely and the pump starts. If it doesn’t, call a plumber.
Individual units usually don’t. Sump pumps are more common in rowhouses and homes with basements.
Helpful plumbing articles: These guides answer two common questions: What should you do if your sump pump stops working? and Why is a sump pump running without removing water?
Call (833) 603-1840, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., or send a request online. Let us know what the pump is doing and how much water is in the basement.
