Sump Pumps and Crawl Space Drainage in Middle Tennessee
- Licensed and insured plumbing, HVAC and electrical techs
- Tennessee Limited Licensed Plumber 5279
Standing water in the crawl space after a heavy rain, a basement that gets damp every spring, or a sump pump that runs constantly or not at all. Water under a house leads to mold, rot and musty air, and it rarely gets better on its own.
We'll look at where the water is coming from and where it needs to go, then repair or install the pump and drainage that moves it out. If the real fix is outside the house, like gutters or grading, we'll tell you that too.
Signs you need sump pumps help
- Standing water or mud in the crawl space after rain
- A damp or musty smell coming up through the floors
- A sump pump that runs all the time, cycles on and off, or never runs
- A pump that hums but doesn't move water
- Water in the basement after heavy rain
- Water lines, rust or mineral stains on the foundation walls or the pit
- A discharge line that dumps water right next to the foundation
- A pump old enough that you don't remember when it went in
What we do
Sump pump repair and replacement
Replacing failed pumps, float switches and check valves, and sizing a new pump to how much water the pit actually takes in.
New sump pits and pumps
Setting a new pit at the low point of a crawl space or basement where water collects, with a pump, a check valve and a cover.
Discharge lines
Running the discharge line out and away from the foundation, so pumped water doesn't circle back, and protecting it from freezing where it leaves the house.
Interior drain lines
Perforated drain lines along the low side of a crawl space or basement that collect water and carry it to the sump pit.
Backup pumps
A second, battery-powered pump in the same pit that takes over when the power goes out or the main pump fails, which tends to happen during the storm that brings the water.
New construction and renovations
Planning a sump pit and drain lines during construction, while the crawl space or basement is open and easy to work in.
Repair or replace?
A stuck float switch or a failed check valve is a repair, and the pump itself may have plenty of life left.
Replacement makes sense when the motor has burned out, when the pump runs but can't keep up, or when it's old enough that you'd rather not find out during the next storm. Sump pumps work hard in wet seasons and don't last forever. We'll tell you what we found and price the repair and the replacement.
What it costs, and how we price it
What drives the price
- Repairing an existing pump or installing a new pit and pump
- The pump size and type, based on how much water comes in
- How much drain line is needed to collect the water, and its route
- How far the discharge line runs, and whether it needs freeze protection
- Whether you add a battery backup pump
- Access: a tight crawl space takes more work than an open basement
- Whether a new outlet is needed near the pit
- The diagnostic visit
- Free. We come look, find the cause and explain it.
- Your price
- Firm price given before any work starts.
- How we price
- Priced per job. Each job is priced on its own.
- Why prices stay down
- Low overhead, and the work done right the first time with current methods, equipment and quality materials, so you are not paying for callbacks.
How a visit works
Call or text
Call or text (615) 426-9344 and tell us what's going on. A photo helps. We work Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A free diagnostic visit
We come look, find the cause and explain it in plain words. The visit is free.
A firm price before any work starts
You get the price for the job before we begin, so you can decide with real numbers.
The work, done right the first time
Current methods, good equipment and quality materials. We keep overhead low and skip the callbacks, which keeps prices down.
Follow-up
If anything we worked on gives you trouble, call or text the same number.
Why is there water in my crawl space?
Usually rain or groundwater is getting in faster than it can drain away. Common causes are gutters that dump water next to the foundation, soil that slopes toward the house, groundwater that rises after long wet spells, and plumbing leaks.
It's worth ruling out a leak first. If it's rain or groundwater, the fix may be outside (gutters and grading), inside (drain lines and a sump pump), or both. We'll tell you what we see.
How do I test my sump pump?
Pour a bucket of water slowly into the pit until the float rises. The pump should kick on, empty the pit and shut off.
If it hums without pumping, doesn't start or doesn't stop, it needs a look. If it doesn't start at all, check that it's plugged in and the outlet has power. Test it before the wet season, and after it has sat unused for a while.
Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
If water gets under your house during storms, a backup is worth considering. Storms are when the power tends to go out, and a main pump without power can't do anything. A battery backup pump sits in the same pit and takes over when the main pump stops or can't keep up.
Common questions
Is the diagnostic visit really free?
Yes. We'll come look at the water and the pump for free, tell you what's going on and give you a firm price before any work starts. You decide from there.
How long does a sump pump last?
It varies with how often it runs and how well it's made. A pump that runs often in a wet crawl space wears out sooner. If yours is getting old, replacing it before it fails beats finding out during a storm.
Where should the sump pump water go?
Out and away from the house, to a spot where the ground slopes away, so it doesn't soak back in. Many places don't allow sump water into the sewer. We'll route it to suit your lot and the local rules.
Does a sump pump need its own outlet?
It should have a dependable outlet near the pit, ideally on a circuit other appliances cannot trip. If a new outlet or circuit is needed, that electrical work is done by licensed and insured techs.
What does the check valve do?
It keeps water that was just pumped out from running back down into the pit. Without it, the pump runs more than it needs to and wears out sooner.
Will a sump pump fix a musty crawl space?
It helps when standing water is the cause. Moisture also comes from humid outdoor air and damp soil, which call for other fixes, like a vapor barrier or a dehumidifier. We'll tell you what we see.
Can a sump pump go in a crawl space?
Yes. A crawl space sump pit goes at the low point where water collects, with a pump, a check valve and a discharge line to the outside.
Work that holds.
Call or text for sump pumps anywhere we serve in Middle Tennessee.