Sump Pump Installation & Repair

Sump Pump Services in Des Moines and Urbandale, IA

72 Degrees installs, replaces, and repairs sump pumps for residential properties throughout Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Grimes, Clive, and the surrounding Polk County metro. We also install battery backup systems for homes that need protection during power outages, which in Central Iowa frequently coincide with the heaviest rain events of the year.

Call (515) 965-7272 for sump pump service or emergency response to an active pump failure. Available 24/7 with no overtime charges.

Why Sump Pumps Matter in Polk County

Central Iowa's geography and soil conditions make basement water management a genuine concern across a significant share of the Des Moines metro housing stock. The region's relatively flat topography, clay-heavy soils, and position within the Raccoon River and Des Moines River watersheds mean that spring and summer rainfall events can saturate the soil rapidly and raise the water table in lower-lying areas with little warning.

Polk County includes FEMA-designated flood zones near the river corridors, and the Des Moines metro has experienced significant flooding events that affected thousands of homes. Even properties well outside the flood plain regularly experience hydrostatic pressure against basement walls and floor slabs during heavy rainfall, which is what a properly sized sump pump system is designed to relieve.

The City of Des Moines Private Property Protection Program reimburses property owners up to $1,500 for qualifying backwater valve installations that protect against sanitary sewer surcharges during rain events. We install backwater valves as part of sump pump and basement drainage projects. Ask about eligibility when you schedule service.

Sump Pump Installation in Des Moines

New sump pump installation involves pit assessment, pump selection, discharge line routing, and check valve installation. Key factors we evaluate for every installation:

Pit sizing and condition: the pit must be large enough for the pump to cycle effectively. Undersized pits cause rapid cycling that shortens motor life. We assess the existing pit or size a new one for the site's soil and inflow conditions.
Pump capacity: measured in gallons per hour, capacity must match the anticipated inflow rate for the property. An undersized pump runs continuously during heavy events and fails early.
Discharge line routing: the discharge line must carry water to a point well away from the foundation where it will drain away from the home and not cycle back. We evaluate grade, distance, and termination point as part of every installation.
Check valve: prevents water from draining back into the pit when the pump cycles off, which would cause the pump to re-cycle immediately. Properly installed check valves extend pump life and reduce cycle frequency.

Battery Backup Sump Pumps

The severe thunderstorms that generate the heaviest rainfall totals in the Des Moines metro also cause the most frequent power outages. A primary sump pump without a backup provides no protection during exactly the conditions when basement flooding risk is highest.

Battery backup sump pumps install alongside the primary pump and activate automatically when the primary loses power or is overwhelmed by inflow volume. They run on a deep-cycle marine battery that provides several hours of pumping capacity depending on inflow rate and battery charge. The battery requires annual testing and periodic replacement to ensure it will perform when needed.

We also install water-powered backup systems, which use municipal water pressure to operate without a battery. These provide unlimited runtime without battery maintenance but consume water while operating. For homes with reliable city water pressure and a history of extended outages following Iowa severe weather, the combination of a battery backup for immediate response and a water-powered backup for sustained events is the most complete solution.

Sump Pump Repair and Replacement in Polk County

Most residential sump pumps have a service life of 7 to 10 years under normal operating conditions. Pumps in

homes with persistently high water tables or undersized pits cycle more frequently and may fail sooner. We carry common residential pump units and can replace most pumps on the same visit as diagnosis.

Common failure situations we see in the Des Moines metro:

Pump runs continuously but does not remove water: typically a failed motor, a clogged intake screen, or an impeller problem
Pump does not activate: float switch failure is the most common cause; the switch may be stuck, corroded, or the mechanism may have failed
Pump activates but pit fills anyway: pump capacity is undersized for the actual inflow rate, or the discharge line is blocked, frozen, or improperly terminated
Water in the basement despite a running pump: the discharge line may be frozen solid during an Iowa cold snap, blocking the pump's ability to remove water

That last scenario is worth noting specifically: in an Iowa winter, a discharge line that terminates too close to grade or against the foundation can freeze and render the pump useless just as a mid-winter thaw event creates inflow. Proper termination prevents this. We assess existing discharge line routing as part of any replacement or service call.

Schedule Sump Pump Service in Des Moines and Urbandale

Call (515) 965-7272 for sump pump installation, repair, or emergency service. Available 24/7 with no overtime charges. Do not wait until a storm is forecast: sump pump failures are most often discovered when they are needed most.

3074 104th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

Return to Plumbing Services | Schedule Online | Emergency Plumbing

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do sump pumps last in Des Moines?

Most residential sump pumps have a service life of 7 to 10 years. Pumps in homes with persistently high water tables or undersized pits cycle more frequently and may fail sooner. Annual testing and inspection confirms the system is ready before it is needed.

Does my Urbandale or Ankeny home need a sump pump?

Homes with basements in Polk County benefit from a sump pump if the basement shows any history of moisture, if the lot sits at or below grade relative to neighboring properties, or if the surrounding soil is clay-heavy and slow to drain. Many Ankeny and Urbandale homes have systems already installed by the builder. We can assess an existing system's condition and advise on whether it is adequately sized and functioning for your site's inflow conditions.

What is a battery backup sump pump and do I need one?

A battery backup sump pump provides protection when the primary pump loses power. In Iowa, the severe thunderstorms that generate the most basement flooding risk also cause the most frequent power outages. A battery backup is the single most effective upgrade for a home that already has a functioning primary sump pump. The battery requires annual testing and periodic replacement to ensure reliability.

My sump pump is running constantly. Is that a problem?

Yes. A pump running continuously without an unusual water table event typically signals a failed check valve causing water to cycle back into the pit, an undersized pit that does not allow proper cycling, or a high water table condition exceeding the pump's capacity. Continuous operation burns out the motor prematurely. Call (515) 965-7272 for a diagnosis.

How much does sump pump installation cost in Des Moines?

Primary sump pump replacement in the Des Moines metro typically runs $400 to $900 depending on the pump, pit condition, and discharge line work. Battery backup systems add $300 to $700. New sump pit installation in a home without an existing system varies by site. 72 Degrees provides upfront pricing before any work begins. See our financing options.

Does the City of Des Moines offer any help with sump pump or backwater valve costs?

Yes. The City of Des Moines Private Property Protection Program reimburses property owners up to $1,500 for qualifying backwater valve installations that protect against sanitary sewer surcharges during heavy rain. Ask about eligibility when you schedule sump pump or drainage service.

Can a sump pump discharge line freeze in an Iowa winter?

Yes. Discharge lines that terminate too close to the foundation or at grade can freeze during extended cold snaps, blocking the pump's ability to discharge water. We recommend lines that terminate well away from the foundation with a freeze guard fitting at the termination point when site conditions warrant it. This is one of the most overlooked causes of winter basement flooding in the Des Moines metro.

Do you install sump pumps in homes without an existing pit in Polk County?

Yes. We can excavate and install a new sump pit in homes without an existing system. The project involves cutting a section of the basement floor slab, excavating the pit to appropriate depth and diameter, installing a gravel bed and liner, and connecting the pump and discharge line. We assess the site before quoting to determine the right pit location and size for the property's drainage conditions.