Heavy rains take toll on sump pumps

Heavy rains are taking their toll on people's sump pumps. Plumbers are rushing around town trying to replace pumps that have broken.

Plumbing companies say they're usually busiest in March or April, but all this wet weather lately is creating a lot of business for them right now.

Many people have finished basements. So, when a sump pump breaks, repairing all the water damage can cost thousands of dollars.

Melissa Alexander's sump pump broke four years ago and soaked her basement carpeting. When it broke again a few days ago, she cringed.

“I was really concerned if they weren't going to be able to come out and fix it, we were going to have water all over the basement again and a huge mess to deal with,” Alexander said.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has heard a lot of similar stories lately. Recent heavy rains have kept plumbers like Greg Byrne busy.

“A lot of pumps have never been worked since they were put in. So, they're all dried up,” Byrne said.

He spends much of his day ripping out busted pumps and replacing them with new ones.

“You come in, look at what's going on and you pretty much know in your head what you need from the truck,” Byrne said.

It's a small device many homeowners rarely notice until it's too late.

“When it's not running and water comes on the carpet, it's very surprising because it's not something I usually think about at all,” Alexander said.

But, when a sump pump breaks, damage can cost thousands of dollars.

“You get someone in there to redo all of the sheetrock and carpet and it's thousands of dollars compared to hundreds for a sump pump,” Byrne said.

Alexander's concerns are now over. Her sump pump got fixed and she doesn't have to worry about her basement flooding anymore.

Plumbers say you get your sump pump inspected every year. Then, you'll know you can trust the pump to work and kick in when you need it most.