Strange Noises
Grinding, rattling, or loud humming usually points to a damaged impeller or a motor bearing that's going out. Neither gets better on its own.
Sump Pump Services
Sump Pump Repair and Replacement That Keeps Basements Dry
Sump pump installation, repair, and replacement in the east metro and St. Croix Valley. Twin City Pipeworks backs every job with a 1-year warranty. Book online for upfront pricing.
Prefer to call or text? 651-247-4495
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About Twin City Pipeworks
Why Homeowners Trust Us for Sump Pump Services
A failing sump pump is one of those problems that seems minor until the rain hits and your basement is under two inches of water. If you need a plumber for sump pump repair, Twin City Pipeworks has handled hundreds of these jobs across the east metro and St. Croix Valley over the past 19 years. We diagnose carefully, we fix it right, and every job comes with a 1-year warranty on all work. Book online to get your pump looked at well before the next storm rolls in.
Sump pump work ranges from a straightforward float switch swap to a full pump replacement in an existing pit. What drives the cost up is usually access (finished basements cost more to work in) and pump capacity needed for your home's water table. Cost for a typical repair or replacement runs from $400 to $1,200 or more depending on scope. Every job is different, and we give you upfront, per-task pricing before any work begins.
What We Actually Do When We Show Up
We start with a full inspection of your existing pit, pump, check valve, discharge line, and float mechanism. Most failures trace back to a stuck float, a clogged intake screen, or a check valve that's lost its seal. We don't replace what doesn't need replacing. If the pump motor has failed and the unit is over seven years old, replacement usually makes more sense than repair. We'll tell you which it is before we touch anything. We also check the discharge line runs far enough from your foundation so it's not just routing water back under the slab. That's a mistake we see on a lot of DIY installs and even some contractor work.
Sump Pump Installation
A new sump pump install in an existing pit takes most of a scheduled visit and comes with upfront, per-task pricing before we set the first fitting. We size the pump to your home's water table, set it at the correct depth in the pit, plumb the discharge to the right diameter, install the check valve about a foot above the pump outlet, and route the discharge line well away from the foundation. Installation is the right call in three situations: your current pump is past the seven-year mark and the motor is done, you're adding a battery backup alongside the primary, or you never had a pump and a wet basement finally forced the issue.
The two details that make or break a sump install are pit geometry and discharge routing. An undersized pit forces the pump to short-cycle, which burns the motor out years early, so we set the basin to the right depth and diameter rather than working around whatever the last installer left. Discharge line and check-valve issues tie back to pipe repair, so if your existing line is cracked, back-pitched, or dumping water right against the slab, we fix that as part of the job instead of leaving it for the next storm. Ready to get a pump in before the next big rain? Book online and pick a time, or get an instant quote for common repair tasks.
Sump Pump Beeping, Running Constantly, or Not Turning On
Three symptoms send most homeowners looking for help, and each one points somewhere specific. Here's how to read them before you book.
### Why is my sump pump beeping?
The beep almost always comes from a battery-backup unit or a water-alarm sensor, not the primary pump itself. It means one of three things: the backup battery is low or at end of life, water in the pit rose high enough to trip the high-water alarm, or the primary pump failed and the backup took over. Check the primary first by lifting the float by hand. If the primary doesn't kick on, that's your problem and the backup is doing its job. Silence the alarm if you can, then book a repair, because a beeping backup usually means the primary already quit.
### Why is my sump pump running constantly?
A pump that cycles nonstop even in dry weather has one of two problems: a float switch stuck in the on position, or water feeding the pit faster than it should. Lift the float by hand and let it drop. If the pump won't shut off, the switch has failed and that's a straightforward, low-cost repair. If the float works fine but the pit keeps refilling, you may have groundwater intrusion, or a pit filling from a hidden supply leak rather than groundwater, which is worth ruling out with leak detection and repair before you assume it's the pump. Constant running burns the motor out fast, so don't let it ride.
"We test the float by hand and amp-test the motor before quoting, so you only replace the pump when replacing it is actually the right call."
### Sump pump not turning on
Start with power. Confirm the outlet has power and that the pump is plugged directly into it, not through a piggyback float plug that's come loose. Then lift the float by hand: if the pump fires up, the float switch failed and needs replacing; if nothing happens with power confirmed and the float lifted, the motor has likely seized. Seven years is about the expected lifespan for a residential unit, so a dead motor on an older pump usually means installation is the smarter spend than a repair. Book online and tell us what you're seeing so we show up with the right parts.
Why Twin City Pipeworks
Signs Your Sump Pump Needs Attention
Don't wait for a flood to find out. These are the signals that mean it's time to get your pump on the schedule.
Pump Runs Constantly
If it's cycling non-stop even during dry weather, the float is stuck or your pit has a drainage problem feeding it continuously. Either way, the motor's burning out faster than it should.
Pump Won't Turn On
Check the float first. If the float moves freely and the outlet has power, the motor has likely seized. Seven years is roughly the expected lifespan for most residential units.
Visible Rust or Debris
Heavy scale or iron bacteria buildup in the pit can clog the intake and shorten pump life significantly. We clean pits and assess whether the water chemistry is accelerating wear.
No Memory of Last Service
If you've owned the home more than three years and haven't had the pump tested, you're overdue. Sump pumps should be serviced every one to three years depending on how hard they work.
Why Twin City Pipeworks
Our Sump Pump Service Process
Here's how a typical service call runs from first contact to finished job.
1. You Book Online or Request a Visit
Book online and tell us a few details about what you're seeing so we show up with the right parts. Prefer to talk? Call or text us. We'll get you on the schedule.
2. We Schedule Your Assessment
We serve the east metro and St. Croix Valley including Woodbury, Stillwater, and Hugo. We'll get you on the schedule at a time that works.
3. Upfront Diagnosis and Quote
Before any work starts, you get a clear price. No surprises on the invoice. If the scope changes mid-job, we tell you why before we proceed.
4. Repair or Replace, Done Properly
We pull any necessary permits, set the replacement pump at the correct depth, install or inspect the check valve, and route the discharge away from your foundation.
5. Test Under Load
We pour water into the pit and watch the full cycle before we call it done. Float trigger, pump activation, check valve seal, discharge flow. Every time.
6. 1-Year Warranty
All our work carries a 1-year warranty. Parts and labor. If something fails within a year of our service, we come back and fix it. That's the commitment.
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Real feedback on upfront pricing, expert repairs, and service that gets the job done right.
Book your repair
Get Your Sump Pump Inspected Before the Next Rain
A failed sump pump during a heavy rain event can put thousands of dollars of damage into your basement in hours. Don't find out yours isn't working when the water is already rising. Twin City Pipeworks is fully insured, has served the east metro and St. Croix Valley for 19 years, and backs every job with a 1-year warranty. Book online to get on the schedule, or get an instant quote on a common repair task.
Prefer to call or text? 651-247-4495
Two easy ways to get started
- Book online — pick a visit time that works for you, no phone tag.
- Get a repair quote — common repair tasks priced in minutes with our online tool.
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Where to Next?
Jump straight to the service or info you need, or book your repair online any time.
Twin City Pipeworks
Ready to get it fixed right?
Honest, upfront pricing and a 1-year warranty on every job. Book your visit online, or get an instant quote on a common repair.
Prefer to call or text? 651-247-4495
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a sump pump be serviced? +
Most residential sump pumps should be tested and inspected every one to three years. If your pump runs frequently due to a high water table or heavy seasonal rain, annual service is the right call. A proper service includes testing the float, checking the check valve, clearing the intake screen, and running a full cycle. Pumps that sit idle for long stretches can seize just as easily as ones that run constantly.
How much does it cost to get a sump pump serviced? +
A standard sump pump service visit, including inspection, cleaning, and testing, typically runs $100 to $300. If parts need replacing, a float switch or check valve usually adds $50 to $150 in parts. Full pump replacement during a service call ranges from $400 to $1,000 or more depending on the pump type and whether a backup system is being added. We use upfront, per-task pricing, so you'll know the number before any work begins.
What's the average cost to have a sump pump replaced? +
A standard sump pump replacement in an existing pit runs $400 to $900 in most cases. If the discharge line requires significant rerouting through a finished basement, costs can go higher. Homes in areas like Mahtomedi or Birchwood Village with higher water table conditions may need higher-capacity pumps, which affects pricing. We use upfront, per-task pricing, so you'll know the number before any work begins.
How do I know if my sump pump float switch has failed? +
A failed float switch usually shows up one of two ways: the pump runs constantly even when the pit is nearly empty, or it doesn't turn on at all when water rises. You can test it manually by lifting the float by hand. If the pump activates, the float mechanism is the problem, not the motor. Float switch replacement is a straightforward repair and far cheaper than a full pump replacement. We carry common float switch types on the truck.
Why is my sump pump not turning on? +
Start with power. Confirm the outlet has power and that the pump is plugged straight into it, not through a piggyback float plug that has worked loose. Then lift the float by hand. If the pump fires up, the float switch has failed and needs replacing, which is a low-cost repair. If nothing happens with power confirmed and the float lifted, the motor has most likely seized. Since about seven years is the expected lifespan of a residential unit, a dead motor on an older pump often makes installation the smarter spend than a repair. Book online and tell us what you're seeing so we arrive with the right parts.
Why is my sump pump beeping? +
In almost every case the beeping comes from a battery-backup unit or a high-water alarm, not the primary pump. It signals one of three things: the backup battery is low or at end of life, water in the pit rose high enough to trip the alarm, or the primary pump failed and the backup took over. Test the primary by lifting its float by hand. If the primary doesn't run, that's the real issue and the backup is covering for it. A beeping backup usually means the primary already quit, so it's worth getting on the schedule rather than just silencing the alarm.