When it's needed
- Water collecting at a low point with no gravity outlet
- Drain pipes needing a place to empty
- An existing pump that's failing or undersized
Choosing where the basin goes
A sump basin works best at the natural low point of the crawl space, where water already wants to go. In Washougal homes on the lower ground near the Washougal and Columbia rivers, that's often near one wall or corner. We look at where water has collected in the past — tide lines, silt and damp soil tell the story — and how the floor of the crawl space slopes. We also consider where the discharge line can exit the foundation and how far it has to travel to reach a safe outlet, and where power is available. A basin in the right spot means the pump runs less, drain pipes can be shorter, and the system is easier to check and maintain. For hillside homes, we first check whether a gravity outlet downhill could do the job without a pump.
The installation
A basin at the low point, a pump, a discharge line routed away from the house, and a lid with the vapor barrier sealed around it. Often paired with drain pipes.
Winter storms
East Clark County winter storms can bring wind and outages along with rain. A pump without power won't run, so ask us about backup options.
What affects the cost in Washougal
- Basin and pump
- Discharge route
- Drain pipes
- Backup for storms
Storm season
Plan for outages: storms that bring wind can also bring heavy rain. A backup option is worth discussing.
Questions from Washougal homeowners
Do homes on the hills need sumps?
Less often — gravity may work. We'll check.
What about power outages?
Ask us about backup options.
How do I get an estimate?
Getting started is easy. Call or text (360) 470-4956, or fill out the form on this page. We'll learn what's going on beneath your home, schedule a time to take a look, and give you a straightforward sump pump estimate.