In a finished basement, the sump pump is the most important appliance you never look at. When it fails in a storm, you find out fast. We repair and replace sump pumps, install battery backup pumps, and fix discharge lines so the water ends up where it should.
Signs your sump pump needs attention
- It doesn’t start when the pit fills, or hums without pumping
- It runs constantly or cycles on and off rapidly
- Loud grinding, rattling or vibration
- Visible rust, or a float that sticks
- Water in the basement after rain
- The pump is old and has never been tested
Replacement
Replacement is usually the answer for a failed motor or a pump that’s simply old; a failed pump can flood a finished basement quickly. Things to consider:
- Primary pump capacity matched to how much water your pit actually sees
- Check valve on the discharge so water doesn’t run back into the pit
- Battery backup pump for power outages and primary-pump failures
- High-water alarm so you know before the basement does
- Discharge routing that meets your city’s setback rules and keeps water away from the foundation
Battery backup sump pumps
A battery backup is a second pump in the same pit that runs on a battery when the power goes out or the main pump fails. We install battery backup systems with new primary pumps or alongside the pump you already have. Things that matter:
- Pit space for a second pump and its float
- Battery placement off the floor and near the pit
- Its own check valve and a discharge connection that doesn’t reduce the primary pump’s flow
- An alarm that tells you when the backup is running or the battery needs attention
- Battery upkeep: batteries wear out, so test the backup the same way you test the main pump
What affects cost
- Pump type and capacity
- Discharge pipe changes, including exterior routing
- Backup pump and alarm options
- Electrical outlet needs (Fairway requires a dedicated single receptacle or GFCI-protected receptacle for new sump pumps)
- Permit requirements in your city
Local notes
- Prairie Village: sump pumps are on the city’s permit list. Source.
- Johnson County Wastewater: no sump pump connections to the sanitary sewer (Resolution WD 92-22). Source.
- Fairway: new sump pump work is issued as a foundation permit with a site plan of discharge points; discharge no closer than 5 ft to any property line; replacing an existing pump needs no permit. Source.
- Mission Hills: burying sump pump or downspout drains requires a submission showing outlets at least 10 ft from the property line and the back of the curb. Source.
- Backwater valves are a separate device that keeps sewage from backing into a basement; Prairie Village and Fairway both require a permit to install one.
Sump Pump Repair, Replacement & Battery Backups: common questions
Do I need a permit to replace a sump pump in Prairie Village?
Prairie Village lists sump pumps among projects requiring a building permit. Other cities differ: Fairway, for example, issues new sump pump work as a foundation permit but says replacing an existing pump doesn't need one.
Can my sump pump drain into the sewer or floor drain?
No. Johnson County Wastewater says it is against code (Resolution WD 92-22) to connect a sump pump or any other groundwater source to the sanitary sewer, because it can overload the system and back up your basement or a neighbor's.
Where can the sump discharge go?
Outside, away from the foundation, following your city's rules. Fairway requires discharge no closer than 5 ft to any property line, including the right-of-way. Mission Hills requires buried sump drain outlets at least 10 ft from the property line and the back of the curb.
Do I need a battery backup?
If your basement is finished or you store anything valuable down there, a backup is worth considering. Primary pumps most often fail during storms, which is exactly when power outages happen. We install battery backup sump pumps and can add one to an existing pit.
How do I test my sump pump?
Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit until the float rises. The pump should start, empty the pit, and shut off. If it doesn't start, hums, or runs without moving water, call us.
Related services
Drain Cleaning
Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, floor drains and main sewer lines that are slow or backing up.
Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
Root-damaged, broken or sagging sewer laterals, repaired or replaced.
Same-Day & Urgent Plumbing
Burst pipes, backups, leaking water heaters and no-water calls during our business hours.
Water Heater Replacement & Installation
Like-for-like tank swaps and upgrades, permitted and inspected where the city requires it.
Sump Pump Repair, Replacement & Battery Backups near you
We handle sump pump repair, replacement & battery backups in Prairie Village and nearby: Fairway, Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Mission, Overland Park, Roeland Park, Shawnee, and Westwood. See all service areas.