Emergency sump pump repair in Romeoville, IL is available 24/7, because pumps tend to fail during the same storms that fill the pit. If the basin is close to overflowing, unplug anything sitting on the floor nearby, move stored boxes up, and keep your hands out of standing water near outlets.
Pump not working and the basement is taking on water
Check the simple things first. Confirm the pump is plugged in and that the outlet has power, since a tripped GFCI is a common cause. Lift the float with a stick. If the pump starts, the float is stuck or tangled and will need adjusting or replacing.
If the pump stays silent after that, or hums without pushing water, shut off its power and call. Running a seized motor can burn it out and make the repair bigger.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Silent, no hum, power confirmed | Dead motor or failed switch | Replace the switch or the whole pump |
| Hums but moves no water | Jammed impeller or stuck check valve | Clear the intake, replace the check valve |
| Runs constantly, pit stays low | Float stuck on or backflow from the discharge line | Reset the float, fit a new check valve |
| Turns on and off every few seconds | Basin too small or check valve missing | Adjust float height, add valve or deeper basin |
| Loud rattling or grinding | Debris in the pit or worn bearings | Clean the pit, replace the pump |
Why a pump fails when you need it most
Pumps sit idle for months and then run hard for hours. Silt and gravel collect in the pit. Floats stick against the basin wall. A rubber check valve loses its seal. Any of these can stop a pump on the first heavy rain after a dry spell.
Power loss is the other big cause. Summer storms often take out electricity just as the pit fills, and a plug-in pump cannot run without it. A battery backup or a water-powered unit covers that gap.
Warning signs before it fails
- Pump runs far longer than it used to after rain
- Rust streaks on the housing or a rotten egg smell from the pit
- No test cycle: lift the float or pour in a bucket of water and the motor does not start
- The pump is older than the basement finishing and was never serviced
- Water shows in the pit after dry weather and the pump never rests
Repair or replace the pump
A new switch or check valve is a small repair. A motor that has run dry or seized is usually cheaper to replace than to rebuild. We tell you which one fits, and what a larger pump or a second pump would add if your pit takes in a lot of water.
Battery backup and a second pump
A backup system adds a battery-powered pump beside the main one. If power fails or the main pump jams, the backup takes over and keeps the pit from overflowing. Batteries need testing and replacing on a schedule, so a backup that was installed and forgotten may not run when called.
Pump due for a check before storm season?
Call and book a same-day or next-day visit. We test the float, the check valve and the discharge before leaving.
Call (630) 822-9290Sump pit and ejector pump: not the same job
A sump pump moves groundwater and rainwater away from the foundation. An ejector pump lifts wastewater from a basement bathroom, laundry or floor drain up to the sewer line. We service both, but they run on different lines and different rules, so tell dispatch which one you have.
If the pit smells like sewage or a toilet gurgles when the pump runs, the water in the pit may not be groundwater at all. That points to an ejector or a sewer backup, and our sewer line cleaning crew can clear the main.
Low ground near the river
Homes close to the Des Plaines River and the Illinois and Michigan Canal often sit on flat, low ground, where groundwater can rise after a long wet spell. For these houses the pump runs more often, and the discharge line matters. It should empty well away from the foundation, not onto a slope that drains back toward the house.
What changes the price
- Part or whole pump
- A switch or check valve is a small repair. A new pump with a new basin is a larger one.
- Pump type
- Pedestal, submersible and battery backup units are priced differently.
- Pit condition
- A cracked or silted basin may need to be cleaned or replaced for the new pump to work well.
- Discharge routing
- A long run or a hard-to-reach exit point adds pipe and time.
- Night or weekend call
- We state any after-hours rate before the truck leaves.
A pump handles water that reaches the pit. Keeping water out of the basement in the first place is the job of drain tile and wall sealing, which we cover under basement waterproofing. If the water in your pit comes from a broken supply line, call our burst pipe team. We also help homes in Bolingbrook when the schedule allows.
Sump pump questions from Romeoville homeowners
Yes. Dispatch is staffed around the clock, including holidays and storm nights. Call and tell us how high the water is in the pit.
The impeller may be jammed, the intake clogged, or the check valve stuck. A frozen or blocked discharge line does the same thing. Turn the power off and call.
Most pumps last several years, and heavy use shortens that. If yours has run through many wet seasons, replacement before a storm is cheaper than replacement after a flood.
Stay out of standing water near outlets and appliances. If it is safe, switch off the pump and breaker for the area, move belongings up, and call. Document damage with photos for your insurer.
No. Sump water and sewage are different systems. A basement bathroom or laundry needs a sealed ejector pump connected to the sewer line, not a sump pit.
Yes. Test it a few times a year by lifting the float, and plan to replace the battery as it ages. A dead battery does nothing when the power goes out.