Sump Pump Installation and Repair in South Elgin

Protecting Your Home From Flooding

Your sump pump is a key part of almost every home's plumbing system here in South Elgin. Most of the time, you don't even notice it—until it stops working. When that happens, water can quickly cause serious damage to your home. At Advantage Plumbing, we understand how important storm water removal is. We carefully research every pump we offer and have been installing sump pump systems for years with excellent results. Our team uses the latest backup systems that can alert you by phone call, text message, or email if something goes wrong. If your sump pump is old or if you're unsure whether your current system can protect your basement and belongings, give us a call. We'll do a full check of your home's storm water system to make sure you're safe.

What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a special pump that sits underwater at the bottom of a sump pit, usually located at the lowest part of your basement or crawl space. Around your home's foundation, ground water is collected by a drain system that leads into the sump pit. When water builds up in the pit, a float switch turns the pump on. The pump then moves the water away from your home to a nearby storm drain, dry well, or retention pond. Most newer homes have a sump pump already installed, but older homes might need one added to help prevent basement flooding.

Sump Pump Installation

Sump pumps can be connected directly to your home's electrical system or simply plugged into a nearby outlet. Most sump pumps come with a battery backup to keep working during power outages. This is especially important because outages often happen during heavy rain or storms, when you need your sump pump the most to keep water away from your home.

If your power goes out for more than a few minutes, if you face power outages often, or if your main sump pump stops working, having a battery backup sump pump or a water-powered backup system can protect your basement from flooding. These water-powered systems use your home's water pressure to pump water out of the sump pit. Reach out to an Advantage Plumbing expert today to learn which backup options are best for keeping your home safe and dry.

Sump Pump Maintenance

Regularly testing your sump pump is key to keeping your South Elgin home safe from flooding during heavy rains. You can easily test it by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit. If the pump is working right, it should start pumping the water out immediately. Also, check that the float and valve can move freely and aren't blocked.

Cleaning your sump pit can help your system work better. Take out any dirt, sand, gravel, or debris that has built up over time. This will help your sump pump last longer and work more effectively. Don't forget to make sure the discharge line is clear so water can flow out properly. If you'd rather not do this yourself, our experienced team is happy to come by and take care of all the maintenance for you.