Sump Pump Repair & Installation Services in Arlington, VA & Other Areas

At Snell, we find comfort in knowing our customers are satisfied. We offer in-writing guarantees to ensure our standards meet your expectations. Our Stand-Up Guys are technically trained and certified to perform repairs on any type of sump pump. Snell Heating & Air Conditioning provides trustworthy sump pump repair, replacement, and installation services to residents in Virginia.

We’re dedicated to helping homeowners achieve a water-free basement or crawl space. If your pump isn’t functioning, you can rely on Snell. With over 30 years of experience, we are proud to offer sump pump services near you in areas of Virginia such as Alexandria, Centreville, Annandale, Reston, Arlington, and Leesburg. Give us a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 or book an appointment online to receive help. Our services come with upfront pricing and lifetime warranties to ensure peace of mind.

Types of Sump Pumps

Basements and crawl spaces are at a higher risk of flooding. By introducing a sump pump, you are adding a layer of protection against flooding. A sump pump automatically collects water in the sump basin located in your basement or crawl space and pumps it outdoors. Two commonly used types of sump pumps include a pedestal sump pump and a submersible sump pump.

Pedestal Sump Pump

Pedestal sump pumps are an upright pump with an impeller at the base. This sump pump sits above the basement floor instead of in a sump pit. Pedestal sump pumps use a submerged hose to pump water out of the basin.

These can be used when dealing with shallow or narrow spaces. With a pedestal pump, the motor is located above the pump and is not meant to get wet. Pedestal sump pumps tend to be less expensive compared to submersible sump pumps. We offer installation and repair services for pedestal sump pumps. If you are having issues with the motor in your pump, give our team of technicians a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 to schedule an inspection.

Submersible Sump Pump

A submersible sump pump is installed in a sump pit and is designed to function underwater. Since the submersible sump pump is hidden in the basin they tend to be quieter and have a cleaner appearance. Snell Heating & Air Conditioning provides submersible sump pump repair and installation services in Centreville and other areas of Virginia.

Tips & Insights: Types of Sump Pump Issues & Troubleshooting Methods

How to Troubleshoot a Malfunctioning Sump Pump

Unplug and Replug

Locate electrical cords in your basement, crawl space, or mechanical room. Unplug your sump pump’s two cords from the outlet. Plug in only the pump cord to make sure the pump is running properly, followed by the second cord. If you need help with this issue, call a licensed plumber on our team. We offer fast and trustworthy sump pump repair and installation services to homes in Aleandria and other areas of Virginia.

Test the Pump

After removing the lid from the sump pump, add a decent amount of water to it. The switch on the pump should immediately turn on and begin flushing the water. The pump should fully remove all water and power itself off. All water should be removed before the pump turns itself off.

Check the Outdoor Pipe

Once you have located the outdoor pipe, observe the pipe’s appearance, focusing on the opening to make sure there is no dirt or debris blocking the pipe. If these troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue with your system, call a professional at Snell Heating & Air Conditioning to perform a sump pump repair or replacement.

Signs It’s Time to Perform A Sump Pump Sump Pump Replacement

Old Age

Unfortunately, our appliances do not last forever. Just like us, sump pumps also experience old age. The average life expectancy of a sump pump is around 10 years. The Stand-Up Guys at Snell Heating & Air Conditioning will assess your home install a sump pump that meets your needs.

Noises

Sump pumps are never going to be silent. That being said, an excessive amount of noise coming from your sump pump may be an indicator that it’s time to contact a professional to perform a sump pump repair or replacement. We offer sump pump installation solutions in Alexandria, Reston, and Arlington and will help you diagnose issues in your motor. Grinding or rattling noises are a clear sign the motor is problematic.

No Water

Having water in the pit helps the sump pump function properly. Having a dry pit usually points to a problem with the drainage system.

Constant Running

Continuous running can lead to a full system breakdown the longer this goes unattended.

Turning On and Off

If you notice your sump pump has been switching between on and off, it can be an indicator you have a power issue, a float switch issue, or it is time for a sump pump replacement.

Tips & Insights: How to Unclog a Drain: Steps & Suggestions

Why Is My Sump Pump Running Constantly? 4 Causes & Ways to Fix

How often should the sump pump in your basement operate? Depending on the climate and the season, your sump pump can operate 2 to 3 times a day. On the other hand, your sump pump may activate and deactivate 5 or more times a day due to severe storms. If your sump pump is operating constantly when it’s not raining, this is a sign of a problem with your submersible or pedestal pump. To help you diagnose and fix the issue, we have created a list of 4 types of problems that can cause a sump pump to operate continuously.

Clogged Inlet Filter

Once it starts to rain outside, the motor in your sump pump will turn on to distribute excess water out of your house. As the water enters the sump pump, it is circulated through an inlet filter that is designed to prevent rocks and dirt from damaging the motor. If your sump pump is operating excessively long cycles, this is a sign of a contaminated inlet filter.

Once the inlet filter becomes clogged with dirt and minerals, it will take a long amount of time for the water to pass through the filter to reach the motor. When an inlet filter becomes clogged, the sump pump will be required to operate continually to remove water from the sump pit and the basement. To prevent water damage to your basement, give our team a call at (703) 543-9649 to schedule a sump pump repair or installation appointment.

Our licensed plumbers will remove the pump from the sump pit to fix the issue. Next, we will use a brush to remove miniature rocks and dirt from the inlet filter. Once the inlet filter is clean, we will configure the sump pump and test it to confirm it is no longer operating long cycles.

Damaged Check Valve

Your sump pump is integrated with a drainage pipe that is designed to expel water from the sump pit to your yard. The drain pipe is equipped with a check valve that is engineered to prevent water from changing direction when it is flushed from your home. If the water starts to flow backwards in the pipe, the valve will prevent it from entering your sump pit and basement.

On the other hand, you start to encounter sump pump repair issues with your check valve when it becomes clogged. If your check valve is clogged with minerals and dirt, the water in your drainage pipe will start to circulate backwards into your basement. Unfortunately, this will cause your sump pump to activate and operate continuously when it detects the water entering the sump pit. We provide convenient sump pump installation and repair services in Alexandria, Sterling, Arlington, and Reston. Our team will inspect your check valve and fix the issue to prevent your sump pump from operating constantly.

To receive help with a malfunctioning pump, call an emergency plumber on our team at (703) 543-9649 to sign up for our sump pump repair services. Our team of technicians will use a screwdriver and other tools to remove the pipe above the check valve. Next, we will remove the dirt that is blocking the valve with a cloth or brush. When the check valve is clean, we will perform an inspection to audit the performance of your sump pump.

Drainage Pipe Leak

The drainage pipe that is connected to your sump pump is designed to distribute water in your sump pit to a safe location outside. The drainage pipes in your basement are made of PVC pipes. Although PVC pipes are durable, they feature a limited life cycle that varies depending on usage patterns. As the PVC piping ages, cracks may start to form along the exterior of the drainage pipe that is connected to your sump pump.

Once a crack forms in the discharge pipe, the water will start to escape and circulate into your sump pit. Unfortunately, your sump pump will need to operate non-stop to accommodate the excess water that is entering your basement. If your sump pump is operating for a long period of time, call a certified plumber to perform a sump pump installation or repair. Our team of certified technicians will use a flashlight and other tools to inspect the exterior of the drainage pipe. If we discover a crack or hole, our staff will remove and replace the damaged discharge pipe to increase the efficiency of your sump pump.

Broken Impeller

Your sump pump is equipped with an impeller that is responsible for extracting water from the sump pit. The impeller is connected to a motor that causes it to spin at a rapid rate. The movement of the impeller will help distribute water to the motor and through the drainage pipe away from the home. If your sump pump won’t turn off, this is a sign it’s struggling to remove water from the pit due to a broken impeller. Once the impeller is damaged, the sump pump will activate and operate constantly and a repair will need to be conducted by a professional. The sump pump is running continuously because it cannot discharge water from your basement.

Sump Pump Repair, Replacement, & Installation Services in Virginia

The licensed technicians at Snell Heating & Air Conditioning provide sump pump repair and installation services for both pedestal and submersible systems. Give us a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 or book an appointment on our website to receive help. We provide sump pump replacement and installation services in areas of Virginia such as Centreville, Alexandria, Reston, Fairfax, Arlington, and Sterling. Our team of certified plumbers also offer other repair and installation services for water heaters, gas pipes, and clogged drains. Snell Heating & Air Conditioning offers transparent pricing guidelines. Once our team gives you a quote and begins a project, the price will not change. Our team is dedicated to earning your satisfaction and trust.