Sump pump and sewer line repair in Payne-Phalen, Saint Paul, MN 55130

Homes on the streets that slope down toward Lake Phalen often have sump pits that stay busy from March through June. Groundwater rises as snow melts, and a pump that cycles every few minutes for weeks wears out its switch. If you hear the pump running constantly, or not at all after a big storm, it's time for a check.

We inspect the pump, float, check valve and discharge line. Sometimes a stuck float or a jammed check valve is the only problem. Other times the pump is undersized or simply worn out. We replace it with a sturdy model from a maker like Zoeller or Liberty Pumps and set the discharge so water flows away from the house.

Closer to Payne Avenue, many houses date from the early 1900s and still have clay sewer laterals. Decades of boulevard trees have found those joints. Slow drains, gurgling toilets and a floor drain that backs up when the washer empties all point to roots or a partial collapse somewhere between the house and the street.

We clear the lateral with a root cutter, then run a camera to see what's left. If the pipe is cracked or offset, we explain repair options with typical cost ranges. Regular jetting keeps some lines working for years, while others are better replaced, sometimes with trenchless methods that leave the yard intact.

The houses built after the war near Arlington and Larpenteur often have basements with a single floor drain, a laundry tub and a water heater tucked against the chimney. Many still have their first cast iron drains and some have galvanized supply pipe that has never been replaced.

We handle water heater swaps, drain cleaning and partial repiping in these homes, with the permit taken care of. If the basement has stayed dry for years but suddenly takes on water, we'll check the sump system and the sewer line together, since both can play a part. Call (651) 215-2087 and tell us what you're seeing.