Sump Pump Installation, Repair & Emergency Service in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's high water table, heavy spring rains, and coastal storm surges make a working sump pump one of the most important systems in your home — and F.G. Lees & Son has been keeping Rhode Island basements dry since 1889.
Whether your pump failed mid-storm, your basement has never had a pit installed, or you want a battery backup system before the next nor'easter arrives, we handle the full range of sump pump work — installation, repair, replacement, and annual maintenance — across Providence and throughout Rhode Island.
Full-Service Sump Pump Solutions for Rhode Island Homes
A sump pump system is only as reliable as the people who install and maintain it. We size every system correctly for the home, route discharge piping away from the foundation, and don't consider the job finished until the pump is tested under load. Here's what we offer:
New Sump Pump Installation and Pit Excavation
Many older Rhode Island homes — particularly in Providence, East Providence, and North Providence — were built without a sump pit. We excavate and install the pit, set the pump, and route the discharge line in a single visit. If your basement has flooded before and you've never had a pump, this is the permanent fix.
Battery Backup Sump Pump Systems
The storm that floods your basement is almost always the same storm that takes out your power. A standard sump pump is useless the moment the grid goes down. We install battery backup systems that activate automatically when main power fails, so the pump keeps running precisely when it is most needed. For homeowners in coastal Warwick neighborhoods like Conimicut, Oakland Beach, and Warwick Neck — where storm surge and power outages frequently arrive together — a battery backup system is not optional equipment.
Pump Repair, Replacement, and Annual Maintenance
Sump pumps don't announce when they're about to fail. A pump that ran fine last spring may be worn, clogged, or running on a compromised float switch by the time the next heavy rain arrives. We diagnose and repair existing systems, replace units that have reached the end of their service life, and offer annual testing and maintenance to catch problems before a storm does.
24/7 Emergency Sump Pump Service Across Rhode Island
A pump failure during an active storm is not a situation that waits for a Monday morning appointment. Our emergency line is staffed around the clock — live during business hours, forwarded to on-call technicians after hours — and our trucks are stocked for the most common pump failures. If your basement is taking on water right now, call us. That is exactly what the line is for.
Why Rhode Island Basements Are Especially Vulnerable
Rhode Island's geography puts basements under pressure that homeowners in drier regions don't face. The combination of a naturally high water table, heavy seasonal rainfall concentrated in the spring melt period, and coastal proximity creates conditions where an undersized or aging sump pump can be overwhelmed quickly.
Warwick's waterfront neighborhoods sit at or near sea level, and storm surge from Narragansett Bay can push groundwater upward faster than a single-pump system can discharge it. Providence-area basements — many of them in homes built before modern drainage standards — have a documented history of flooding during heavy rain events. These aren't edge cases. They're the normal operating conditions a sump pump in Rhode Island has to be built for.
We account for all of this when we size and install a system. The right pump, the right pit depth, the right discharge routing — installed by licensed plumbers who have been doing this work in these conditions for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sump Pumps in Rhode Island
How do I know if my sump pump is still working?
The simplest test is to pour a bucket of water slowly into the pit and watch whether the float triggers the pump to activate. If the pump doesn't turn on, runs but doesn't discharge, or makes unusual noise, call us before the next rain event. We also offer annual maintenance visits that include a full operational test.What happens to my sump pump if the power goes out during a storm?
A standard sump pump stops working the moment power is lost. Battery backup systems solve this — they detect when main power fails and switch automatically, keeping the pump running on battery charge. We recommend a backup system for any home in a flood-prone area, and we install them alongside new primary pumps or as an addition to an existing system.My home doesn't have a sump pit. Can one be installed?
Yes. We excavate sump pits in existing basements as part of a full installation. The process involves breaking through the concrete floor at the lowest point of the basement, excavating to the proper depth, setting the pit liner, installing the pump, and patching the surrounding concrete. It's a complete solution for homes that have flooded but never had a pump.How long does a sump pump typically last?
Most residential sump pumps have a service life of seven to ten years under normal operating conditions. Pumps in high-water-table areas like coastal Warwick or low-lying Providence neighborhoods may cycle more frequently and wear faster. Annual testing helps identify pumps that are approaching the end of their useful life before they fail during a storm.Do you offer emergency sump pump service after hours?
Yes. Our emergency line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During business hours, calls are answered by staff. After hours, calls forward to on-call technicians. If your pump has failed during an active storm, call us directly — that is exactly what the emergency line is for.
Rhode Island's Oldest Plumbing Company — Serving Homeowners Since 1889
F.G. Lees & Son has been licensed, family-operated, and rooted in Rhode Island for more than 130 years. We are the oldest plumbing company in the state, now in our fifth generation of family ownership. Our reviews reflect the kind of work we've always done — thorough, honest, and built to last. When your basement is at risk, you want a plumber who has seen every variation of the problem and knows how to fix it permanently.