Sump Pump Repair Guide
Sump pumps sit in water and carry electrical current. Always unplug before inspecting. If you smell burning or see standing water near the electrical connection, call an electrician.
Avg Lifespan
7-10 years
Replace Cost
$150-500
Common Fixes
3 problems
🛠️ Keep your Sump Pump running
Most Sump Pump repairs take under an hour and cost less than a service call diagnostic fee. Having the right tools on hand makes the difference between a 30-minute fix and a $300 repair bill.
Find Appliance Repair Tools on Amazon →Common Problems
Not Turning On
Water rises in the pit but the pump does not activate
Cause: Stuck float switch or tripped breaker
Parts from
$22
Running Constantly
Pump runs non-stop even when the pit is nearly dry
Cause: Failed check valve or incorrect float switch position
Parts from
$15
Making Loud Noise
Grinding, rattling, or humming noise from the pump
Cause: Damaged impeller or worn bearings
Parts from
$18
Is It Worth Fixing?
A sump pump replacement costs $150-500. Most common repairs cost $10-50 in parts. If your unit is less than 7-10 years old, repairing it is almost always the better financial decision. Even if you're not comfortable with DIY repairs, a service call ($100-200) plus parts is still cheaper than replacing the entire unit.
When to replace: If the unit is past its expected lifespan, has had multiple failures, or the compressor/motor needs replacing (these are expensive components that signal end-of-life).