Frequently asked questions & answers

• Cellular service is $49.99 per year for the Cellular Sump Pump Alarm product.
• Cellular service is $75.00 per year for the TextLight product.

To cancel service please call our technical support department at 888-454-5051 or email a cancellation request to support@pumpalarm.com.

Our service will auto-renew each year for any PumpAlarm unit. This means you will be automatically billed on your activation date each year. 

As long as your device has a sensor installed to detect water, this will notify you instantly. 

Your alarm does not monitor the operation of your sump pump, so it will not send a notification when your sump pump motor turns on or off. 

Yes, you will receive a text message as soon as the water levels return to normal or when AC power is restored to your unit. 

The Float Switch should hang a few inches above the top of your sump pump motor. The exact height will vary depending on the size of your sump pit and the power of your sump pump motor. The generalization is that you should hang the sensors at a height that allows for ample time to receive a notification and do something about the problem before a flood occurs.

Note: Be sure to only use the float in your sump pit as the water detector is very sensitive and can trigger false alarms due to splashing in your pit. Use the water detector next to floor drains and under appliances where it is normally dry.

The unit can store up to three phone numbers, phone1, phone2, and phone3. Programming the numbers is simple, you’ll just send a text message to the number given during activation (once you have it save it to your contacts for future use). For example, if you wanted to program 555-555-5555 as your first number you would send a message exactly as it appears below:

phone1 5555555555

Note: To program a phone number into the unit’s phone 1 slot, you must start the message with the word phone1. To program the second and third numbers you’ll simply use the words phone2 or phone3, respectively, in place of phone1.

When the unit receives the message, it will chirp twice and then it will respond with a text message that contains the current settings. You should wait for the text message response on your phone before proceeding. If an error occurred while processing your text message, the alarm will beep 3 times.

You will send a text message to your unit. For example, if you wanted to name your unit “Jones Home”, simply text the message exactly as it appears below:

name Jones Home

Note: You can use any word or words you want in place of Jones Home, e.g. Sump Alarm, Pump Alarm, Pit Alarm, Alarm etc. Important! To program a name into your unit you must start the message with the word name.

When the Cellular Water Alarm unit receives the message, it will chirp twice and then it will respond with a text message that contains the current settings of the unit. You should wait for the text message response on your phone before proceeding. If an error occurred while processing your text message, the alarm will beep 3 times.

The unit accepts commands sent via text message. 

Yes, each device allows you to configure a contractor name with associated contact information. When this information is configured, the cellular alarm appends this contact information to the end of alarm notifications (input alarms, low battery, power loss, etc.)
so you know who to call in an emergency.

For example, an input alarm will be formatted as follows: 

[Unit Name] has detected a high water level for input 1 at [HH:MM AM/PM] on [MM/DD/YY]. Please contact [Contractor Name] at [Contact Info] for assistance.

You will automatically be billed annually on your activation date.

Similar to a cell phone, the PumpAlarm products communicate through the Verizon network and the activation of the unit allows it to communicate alarms. 

You’ll need to visit  PumpAlarm.com/activate where you’ll enter your unit’s ID, found on a label at the top of your unit’s enclosure. After entering this number, you’ll need to provide your billing information, email address, and phone number. Once you agree to the terms of use and confirm your information, your unit phone number will be displayed on the screen. This number along with a receipt will be emailed to the address provided. 

We accept returns for exchange or refund 30 calendar days after delivery of the product. After 30 calendar days, returns are accepted at our sole discretion and may include a 15% restocking fee. Items must be in new, unaltered, and unused condition. 

While the water sensors are completely waterproof, the main unit IS NOT. Do not get your unit wet or submerged in water. The unit is also not built to withstand outdoor conditions. This should not be a concern if the unit hangs high above your basement or crawl space floor, significantly lowering the risk of contact with water. Our standard warranty does not cover water damage of any sort, so be sure to keep your unit dry at all times. 

If you have a need for a more rugged application - please check out our TextLight product which is rated for both indoor and outdoor use.

A sump pump is a small pump that sits inside of a pit or basin below your basement floor to collect ground water from around the exterior basement walls and foundation. The build-up of water around your basement walls creates water pressure. The water pressure enables water to find its way through the tiniest cracks in your basement walls, and into your basement. A properly working sump pump system collects this water, thus relieving the water pressure from your basement walls, and then it pumps the water away from your home to a safe place. This collected groundwater is typically pumped into your back yard, a drainage ditch, a city storm sewer, or any location that keeps the water away from your basement walls and foundation. It’s important to always know your basement sump pump is working to prevent a wet or flooded basement.