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Thawline Plumbing

1 services · Saint Paul

Basements & sump pumps in Saint Paul, MN

A sump pump keeps groundwater from rising into a basement or crawl space. Most last about 7 to 10 years. Replacing an aging pump before storm season, and adding a battery backup or alarm, is far cheaper than cleaning up a flooded basement.

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Finished basement with laundry and a bathroom

Basements & sump pumps services in Saint Paul

Sump pump service in Saint Paul

Urgent

A sump pump that won't run usually has a stuck float switch or a failed motor. One that runs constantly may have a bad check valve or a high water table. In cold winters, a frozen discharge line outside is a common cause of a pump that runs but doesn't empty the pit.

Local conditions

Basements & sump pumps in Saint Paul: what's different

Older Saint Paul homes often have basement floor drains connected directly to the main line, so a blockage outside shows up first in the basement during heavy use or storms.

Snowmelt and spring rain test sump pumps, and river bluffs create steep lots with long laterals.

Backwater valves and regular main-line cleaning help in neighborhoods with mature trees.

A battery backup sump pump helps during spring storms, and testing the pump before thaw catches a stuck float before it matters.

Water and sewer in Saint Paul
Saint Paul Regional Water Services supplies water to the city and several suburbs.
Permits in Saint Paul
Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).

Saint Paul housing and plumbing

Summit Hill and Mac-Groveland have Victorian and early 1900s homes with basements and older plumbing.

Other Saint Paul conditions that affect plumbing

  • Deep frost: Buried water services and pipes near exterior walls freeze in extreme cold.
  • Lead service lines: The water utility has a lead service line replacement program for older homes.
  • Spring thaw: Snowmelt and rain test sump pumps.
  • Mississippi River bluffs: Saint Paul's river bluffs and hills create steep lots with long sewer laterals.

Neighborhoods and ZIP codes

Plumbers on Thawline cover Saint Paul and Ramsey County, including Summit Hill, Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, Como, Payne-Phalen, West Seventh. ZIP codes: 55101 · 55102 · 55103 · 55104 · 55105 · 55106.

When to call a plumber in Saint Paul

  • The pump runs constantly or turns on and off rapidly
  • The pump hums but doesn't move water
  • Water in the basement after a storm
  • Rust, loud noise or a pump more than seven years old
  • No backup during storms that knock out power

How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the basements & sump pumps guide.

Basements & sump pumps questions in Saint Paul

Why does my Saint Paul basement drain back up?

A blocked lateral, often from roots, backs up at the basement floor drain first.

How do I test a sump pump?

Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should start, empty the pit and shut off. If it doesn't start, check that it's plugged in and the float can move freely.

More plumbing in Saint Paul

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