Questions about pumps, valves and storm nights

Ask for the home improvement registration number and the insurance certificate before work starts. Ours are in the footer of every page, and a plumber will email the certificate on request.

Stay out of the basement if there's water near outlets or the panel. Call the storm line from upstairs. If it's safe, turn off the water at the main and unplug nothing that's standing in water.

We say on the phone whether there's a trip fee and whether it comes off the job. The pricing page explains what the written price includes.

Yes. Calls between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m., on weekends and on holidays carry an after-hours charge, told to you on the phone before the truck leaves.

For an install, yes, in writing. For a storm-night call, the hourly rate is stated on the phone, and the permanent fix gets a written price the next day.

Where your town asks for one, yes, and the permit is on the quote. We check the rule before we quote.

It varies with the pump and how often it runs. We note the pump's age and condition at the visit and tell you whether to replace it now or watch it.

Not usually. Water rising through the slab is a pump problem. Sewage coming up a floor drain is a drain-line problem, and a valve may be the fix. We look at both.

Houses built before 1986 may have lead solder, and before 1978 may have lead paint. That is separate from sump work; ask us and we'll point you to the EPA's guidance.

Many don't. We check the rule for your town before we run a discharge line.

It depends on the battery and the inflow. We write the run time for your pit on the quote.

Drying out, wet drywall, flooring, mold and electrical panel work. We say so on the phone, and tell you who to call.

Erie County, from the lake south to Union City and Mill Village. The storm line is answered at any hour; the shop is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.