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1 services · St. Louis

Basements & sump pumps in St. Louis, MO

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 St. Louis

Sump pump service

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 St. Louis: what's different

Heavy rain backs up basement floor drains in older St. Louis homes. Backwater valves and sump pumps help.

MSD's Project Clear addresses backups across the region.

Brick homes and flats in Soulard and Tower Grove often have basements with laundry and water heaters beside old floor drains, so a backup reaches everything quickly. Testing sump pumps, keeping the lateral clear and adding a backwater valve where storms push water back are the main protections, and MSD can advise on programs in flood-prone areas.

Water and sewer in St. Louis
The City of St. Louis Water Division supplies water; the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) handles sewers.
Permits in St. Louis
Plumbing permits inside the city are issued by the City of St. Louis Building Division; St. Louis County has its own office.

St. Louis housing and plumbing

Brick homes and flats from the late 1800s and early 1900s in Soulard, Tower Grove and Lafayette Square typically have basements and old drains.

Other St. Louis conditions that affect plumbing

  • Old laterals: Century-old clay laterals crack and collect roots.
  • Basement drains: Heavy rain backs up basement floor drains.
  • Frozen pipes: Cold snaps freeze pipes in brick exterior walls.
  • City vs. county: The City of St. Louis is separate from St. Louis County, so permit offices and some utilities differ depending on your address.

Neighborhoods and ZIP codes

Plumbers on Thawline cover St. Louis and City of St. Louis, including Soulard, Tower Grove, The Hill, Central West End, Lafayette Square, Dogtown. ZIP codes: 63101 · 63102 · 63103 · 63104 · 63105 · 63106.

When to call a plumber in St. Louis

  • 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 St. Louis

How do I prevent basement backups in St. Louis?

A backwater valve and a clear lateral are the main protections.

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 St. Louis

All plumbing in St. LouisBasements & sump pumps nationwideLeaks, pipes & freezing in St. LouisDrains & sewer in St. LouisWater heatersToilets, faucets & disposalsOutdoor & seasonalGas lines

Need help with basements & sump pumps in St. Louis?

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