Sump Pumps and Basement Backups in Decatur
Flat prairie ground, heavy summer storms and full basements make the sump pump one of the hardest-working appliances in a Decatur home. Here is how pumps, backups and backwater valves fit together.
The short version
Groundwater and sewer backups are different problems. A sump pump handles water from around the foundation. A backwater valve stops sewage from backing up through floor drains. Many basements need both.
- Typical asks: dead or noisy pumps, constant cycling, wet floors after storms, floor-drain backups
- Ask about: pump capacity, backup type, discharge routing
Sump pumps estimate request
About a minute. Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.
- Groundwater
- Collected by drain tile, pumped out by the sump
- Sewer backup
- Stopped by a backwater valve on the sewer
- Power outages
- Storms knock out power when the pump is needed most; a backup helps
- Winter
- A discharge line that freezes stops the pump from working
Why basements take on water here
Macon County lies on flat glacial ground where water moves slowly. In heavy spring and summer rain, the soil around a foundation saturates and groundwater rises against the walls and under the floor. The Illinois State Water Survey studies the state's rainfall, flooding and groundwater (Illinois State Water Survey), and the National Weather Service Lincoln office issues flood and storm warnings for the area (National Weather Service Lincoln, IL).
Two different problems
Groundwater
Drain tile around or under the foundation collects groundwater and carries it to the sump pit. The pump lifts it out of the house. If the pump fails, water comes up through the floor or the pit overflows.
Sewer backup
In very heavy storms, sewers can fill and push water back up the building sewer into the lowest drain, usually the basement floor drain. A sump pump does not stop this. A backwater valve on the building sewer does, by closing when flow reverses. Some homes also have downspouts or drain tile tied into the sanitary sewer, which adds to the load; the City of Decatur can tell you its rules (City of Decatur, Illinois (water, sewer and permits)).
Choosing a pump
- Submersible pumps sit in the pit; quieter and common in finished basements.
- Pedestal pumps sit above the pit; easier to service.
- Capacity should match how much water comes in and how high it is lifted.
- Check valve on the discharge stops water from falling back into the pit.
Backups for power outages
The storms that flood basements also knock out power. A battery backup pump runs for a while without power; a water-powered backup uses city water pressure. A generator is another route. Test any backup at least once a year.
Discharge lines and winter
The discharge should carry water well away from the foundation, not onto a neighbor's property or into the sanitary sewer where that is not allowed. In winter, an exposed discharge line can freeze solid. A freeze-resistant discharge fitting lets water escape if the line is blocked with ice.
Maintenance
- Pour water into the pit to make sure the pump starts and shuts off.
- Clear debris from the pit and the inlet screen.
- Check the age; many pumps are replaced after several years of service.
- Listen for unusual noise or constant cycling.
University of Illinois Extension publishes homeowner information on flooding and wet basements (University of Illinois Extension).
Sizing up the job: see what shapes a sump pump scope on the estimate-factors page. It lists what moves the scope, never a price.
Further reading
Sources for this page: Illinois State Water Survey; National Weather Service Lincoln, IL; City of Decatur, Illinois (water, sewer and permits); University of Illinois Extension.
Sump Pumps & Basement Backups: what people ask
What is the difference between a sump pump and a backwater valve?
A sump pump removes groundwater; a backwater valve stops sewage from backing up through floor drains.
Why does my sump pump run constantly?
High groundwater, a failed check valve, a float problem or a pump too small for the inflow.
Do I need a battery backup?
If the basement floods when the power goes out, a backup is worth considering.
Can my sump discharge into the sewer?
Many communities do not allow it. Check with the City of Decatur or your village.
How do I keep the discharge line from freezing?
Keep it sloped to drain and consider a freeze-resistant discharge fitting.
How do I test a sump pump?
Pour water into the pit until the float lifts and the pump starts.
Sump pump requests by town
Water source, house age, basements and sewer or septic setups vary across Macon County. Pick your town for local notes.
Decatur
North
South and east
West
Often planned alongside
Drain Cleaning
Kitchen, bath, laundry, floor-drain and main-line clogs, with a camera look when clogs keep returning.
Sewer & Main Line Repair
Camera inspections, root and break repairs, trenchless options and full replacement of older clay and cast-iron sewer lines.
Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
Thawing frozen lines, repairing split pipes and rerouting or insulating the pipes that freeze every winter.
Planning sump pumps work?
Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.