We install primary pumps, battery backups, water-powered backups, and tie in to French drain systems — and we test under load before we leave.
Primary sump pump installs
We size the pump to your basin volume and inflow rate, install a cast-iron submersible (not plastic — they fail faster), set a tethered or vertical float switch correctly so it can't hang on the basin wall, run a check-valve above the pump body to keep the discharge column from re-flooding the pit, and run the discharge line to a code-compliant exit point at least 10 feet from the foundation.
Battery backup pumps
A battery backup pump runs off a deep-cycle marine battery during power outages — exactly when storms are most likely to flood your basement. We install with a charge-monitoring controller that alerts you when battery capacity drops or the pump cycles, so you're not finding out at 3 a.m. that the battery died last month.
Water-powered backup pumps
If you have city water (not a well), a water-powered backup uses municipal pressure to pump out — no battery to maintain, no charging needed. We install Liberty SJ10 or equivalent units with the proper backflow protection and dedicated supply.
French drain & foundation drain tie-ins
Foundation drains and interior French drain systems must terminate at the sump basin, never to the sanitary sewer (that's a code violation in CA and overloads the municipal system). We install or correct improper tie-ins as part of the scope.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a backup pump?
If you have a finished basement, yes — without exception. Power outages and pump failures account for almost every flooded basement we get called to. A $400–$800 backup pump prevents a $20,000+ insurance claim and weeks of remediation.
How often should a sump pump be replaced?
Primary submersibles last 7–10 years on average in CA conditions. We recommend replacing at year 10 regardless of whether it's still running, and adding a backup if you don't have one.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Yes. Nava's Elite Plumbing carries a current California master plumber registration, $1M general liability coverage, and workers' comp on every technician. A certificate of insurance naming you or your property manager is available on request before we start.
Do you give upfront pricing?
Every job is quoted in writing before any work begins. We price by scope, not by the hour, so the number you approve is the number you pay — barring scope changes you approve in writing.
Do you require money down?
No deposit on standard service calls. On larger projects (repipes, sewer replacements, gas line installs) we phase work into progress payments tied to city inspection milestones — you never pay ahead of completed work.