Why Garfield basements need a plan for water.
Garfield sits between the Passaic River on one side and the Saddle River on another. The National Weather Service gauge on the Saddle River at Lodi recorded a crest of 13.94 feet in September 1999 during Hurricane Floyd and 13.5 feet in August 2011 during Hurricane Irene, against a flood stage of 6 feet.
Not every Garfield basement floods, but low ones near the rivers and the old flood paths do. If your cellar has a floor drain or a pit that has ever collected water, the pump is the thing that keeps the next storm from becoming a loss.
When a sump pump failure is an emergency.
- The pit is full and the pump is silent, humming or running without moving water.
- Water is on the floor and still rising.
- The power is out during a storm, and the pump has no backup.
- The pump runs constantly and cannot keep up.
- You smell sewage or the pit is connected to a drain that is backing up.
Common sump pump failures.
| Symptom. | Likely cause. | Fix. |
|---|---|---|
| Does not turn on. | Power loss, tripped GFCI, stuck float or burnt motor. | Check power, free the float, replace the pump if burnt. |
| Runs but moves no water. | Clogged intake or failed check valve. | Clean the intake and replace the check valve. |
| Runs nonstop. | Stuck float, undersized pump or very high water table. | Adjust or replace the float, upsize the pump. |
| Loud rattling or banging. | Debris in the impeller or a bad check valve. | Clean, replace the check valve. |
| Old pump, age 7 to 10 years. | Wear on motor and switch. | Replace before it fails in a storm. |
A sump pump visit.
Inspect.
We look at the pit, the float, the discharge line and the check valve.
Test.
We fill the pit with water and watch the pump cycle.
Repair or replace.
A simple fix is made on the spot. A failed pump is swapped for a properly sized one.
Backup and discharge.
We discuss a battery backup and where the discharge pipe empties, away from the foundation.
Pit full and pump quiet?
Call the emergency line. Describe what you see, and we will send help.
Battery backups and why they matter.
The worst floods often come with power outages, which is exactly when an electric pump stops. A battery backup pump sits beside the main one and takes over when power fails or the main pump cannot keep up. A water powered backup works without electricity but needs municipal water pressure.
Backup systems need maintenance. Batteries lose capacity over a few years, and the system should be tested at least once each spring. We can show you how to test it in a few minutes.
Where the discharge water goes.
A pump moves water out. Where it goes matters. Discharge pipes should run away from the foundation and not toward a neighbor's property or into the sanitary sewer. Many municipalities prohibit connecting sump discharge to the sewer, and the rule can vary. Ask Garfield's building department what applies before we run the line.
A discharge that freezes in winter can back water into the pit. We choose routes and pipe slopes that drain fully when the pump stops.
What changes the cost of sump pump work.
You get a written quote before we start. If we find a drainage problem that a pump cannot fix, we tell you.
Standard homeowner policies usually exclude groundwater and sewer backup damage unless you carry an endorsement. Ask your agent before the next storm.
More basement help.
If water is coming through walls or the floor even with a working pump, see basement waterproofing. For nearby areas, we cover Wallington and Lodi.
Questions homeowners ask us.
Yes. The emergency line is open 24/7. Storms are exactly when pumps fail, and we send a technician as soon as one is free.
Often seven to ten years, depending on use. A pump that runs constantly may wear out sooner.
If your basement floods when power fails or the main pump is overwhelmed, a backup is strongly worth having.
Away from the foundation, and not into the sanitary sewer in most towns. Check Garfield's rules before we install.
Often not for groundwater or sewer backup without an endorsement. Review your policy.
Pour a few buckets of water into the pit and watch the float lift and the pump start and empty the pit.
Written by the Garfield Express Plumbing team. Updated October 16, 2026.