Sump Pump Repair, Replacement & Installation
Pump won't run, won't shut off, or is getting old? We repair, replace, and install sump pumps for homeowners across New Castle County.
Repair it, replace it, or put one in. We look first.
Spangler Plumbing repairs, replaces, and installs sump pumps for homeowners in Middletown, Bear, Newark, Wilmington, and the rest of New Castle County, plus northern Kent County. We assess the pump and how it is set up at your home, then recommend a repair, a replacement, or a new installation based on what we find.
No guessing over the phone. A pump that hums, cycles nonstop, or sits silent while the pit fills can have more than one cause. The right fix depends on the actual equipment and conditions.
Repair vs. replace
Should you repair or replace a sump pump?
It depends on what failed and what shape the rest of the system is in. There is no age at which every pump has to go. The recommendation comes after an on-site assessment, and these are the factors that drive it:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The diagnosed failure | A stuck or failed switch is a different problem from a failed motor. The repair only makes sense once the cause is known. |
| Condition of the pump and system | The pump, the pit, and the discharge line work together. A repair should fit the setup it goes back into. |
| Repeat problems | If the same pump keeps failing, it is worth asking whether another repair is the right spend. |
| Parts availability | Some repairs depend on getting a compatible part for the unit you have. |
| Your priorities | Budget, how you use the basement, and how much peace of mind you want all belong in the decision. We lay out the options; you choose. |
The visit
What a sump pump service visit may look at
Every home is set up differently, and the technician decides what to check based on the problem. Common areas include:
- Whether the pump runs, and whether it shuts off when it should
- The float or switch that tells the pump when to start
- The discharge line and where the water goes once it leaves the pit
- The pump's power connection
- The condition of the pit
- Any backup arrangement already in place
Once the problem has been assessed, ask for a written scope that spells out exactly what the recommended work includes.
Replacement vs. new installation
- Sump pump repair
- Fixes a diagnosed problem and keeps the existing pump in service.
- Sump pump replacement
- Swaps a failed or unreliable pump for a new one in the existing setup.
- New sump pump installation
- Puts a pump in where there isn't a working one today. What the job involves depends on the home, so the scope is set after we have seen it.
New Castle County
Two local rules worth knowing
Sump water does not go into the sewer. New Castle County's building code makes it unlawful to connect a sump pump "directly or indirectly into any public or private sewer" unless the county's General Manager of Public Works has authorized it in writing (NCC Code, Chapter 6, Sec. R325.9). Where the discharge line ends matters as much as the pump.
Permits depend on where you live. In unincorporated New Castle County, the code lists "Sump pumps, or the replacement thereof" among plumbing work that does not need a permit (NCC Code, Sec. 06.03.012). Towns such as Wilmington, Newark, and Middletown run their own permit offices, so check with the office that covers your address.
If water is coming in right now
Keep people and pets out of standing water, and stay away from water near outlets, cords, or other electrical equipment. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. When it is safe, contact us promptly to talk through active water or a failed sump pump.
Sump pumps, not well pumps
This page covers sump pumps, the pumps that move groundwater out of a basement or crawl-space pit. It does not cover well pumps or well pressure tanks.
What to have ready before you call
- What the pump is doing: silent, humming, running nonstop, or cycling on and off
- Whether there is water in the basement now, and how much
- Roughly how old the pump is and any past repairs, if you know
- Whether the home has a backup pump or alarm
Ready to talk it through? Call 302-293-8008 or request service online. For everything else we handle, see our plumbing services.
What We Offer
- Sump pump repair
- Sump pump replacement
- New sump pump installation
- On-site assessment before a recommendation
Call to talk through repair, replacement, or a new install.
Call 302-293-8008