The pump sits in a pit in the corner of the basement. Few owners test it, and most don't know how old it is.
Basement waterproofing play · Sump pump replacement
Sump pump replacement leads, found by home age and mailed before the rain.
A sump pump runs for years without anyone thinking about it, then fails in the worst storm. Spur finds homes old enough to be on an original or aging pump, writes a replacement-and-backup postcard for each owner, and mails it before the wet season.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Dale Whitfield6840 Hopewell DrColumbus, OH 43229Scan to book your pump check
Dale W. scanned your sump pump check postcard · 4 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
7–10 yrsis the typical life of a residential sump pump
Power outis when the pump is most needed and a battery backup matters
2 daysfrom approval to USPS first-class
The problem
A failed sump pump costs far more than a new one, and owners rarely think about it until then.
Pumps fail when they are asked to work hardest, so the first sign is often an inch of water on the floor.
Many homes have no battery or water-powered backup, and the owner only hears about it after a power outage during a storm.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from a pump nobody checks to a booked replacement.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A sump pump list in Spur
Sample Columbus-area homes built 2005–2016 with basements and 8+ years of ownership. Names are partly masked.
Zip 43229Built 2005–2016Owner-occupiedFull basementOwned 8+ yrs
- Dale W.6840 Hopewell DrBuilt 2008 · full basementOwned 15 yrs
- Karen & Phil S.1522 Cleveland AveBuilt 2006 · full basementOwned 17 yrs
- Andre M.7011 Sharon Woods CtBuilt 2011 · full basementOwned 12 yrs
- Lisa & Tom R.980 Maple Canyon DrBuilt 2009 · full basementOwned 14 yrs
- Jen B.6402 Lazelle RdBuilt 2013 · full basementOwned 10 yrs
AI draft for Dale W. · 6840 Hopewell Dr
Hi Dale,
Homes on Hopewell Drive were built around 2008, and the sump pumps in them are usually the originals. A typical pump lasts 7 to 10 years, so many are past mid-life.
For $89, we test the float, the discharge line, and the backup battery if you have one, and tell you whether it should be replaced. If it checks out, you've had an inexpensive peace of mind before spring rain.
Scan the code on this card to pick a time.
Lou Anders · Sure-Dry Pump & Drain · (614) 555-0112
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to find sump pump replacement leads before the pump fails
A sump pump is a quiet appliance. It sits in a pit, runs a few times a week, and does its job until a heavy storm tests it. Because the owner rarely sees it, there is almost no replacement demand until a flooded floor creates it. That makes sump pump marketing a proactive play: reach the owner before the pump fails, with a low-cost check that turns into a replacement or backup upgrade.
Build year is the best public proxy for pump age. Most residential pumps last roughly seven to ten years, depending on how often they cycle and how well they were installed. Homes built between about 2005 and 2016 that have had the same owner for eight or more years are likely on an original pump or a first replacement. Owner-occupied matters, because owners make replacement decisions and absentee landlords tend to buy repairs instead.
Frame the offer around a flat-rate pump check. A technician tests the float, the check valve, the discharge line, and the battery if there is one. Most owners accept a clear price for a quick visit, and the visit is where you explain pump age, power outages, and backups. Mention that a pump with no backup stops working when the power goes out, which is often the same moment the storm hits.
Seasonal timing helps. Send pump check cards in late winter ahead of snowmelt and spring rain, and again in early fall after summer storms. A short follow-up after the first heavy rain of the year is a natural moment to remind scanners who didn't book.
Pump customers are also good candidates for a recurring service plan. An annual pump test, a battery swap every few years, and a discount on repairs create steady revenue and a reason to be in the house each year. Mention the plan on the second card or on the visit.
3×+return on a year of Spur Team from just five pump-and-backup installs
A pump replacement with a backup beats a year of mail.
- Spur Team: $49/mo billed annually = $588/yr
- 600 pump check cards at $0.94 each = $564
- 5 replacements with a battery backup (~$1,200 each) = $6,000, plus follow-on drainage work
Example math. Pump replacement is a smaller ticket than a full system, so volume and follow-on work matter. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual sump pump marketing
What you needThe usual waySpur
Homes picked by build year and ownershipEvery door in the zip✓ Built in
Copy about pump age and backupsA generic coupon✓ Built in
Flat-rate check booked from the scanCalls that depend on a failure✓ Built in
Automatic late-winter and fall wavesRemember to reorder✓ Built in
Scans and booked checks trackedNo view of what worked✓ Built in
Sump Pump Replacement by the numbers
Why pump age is a reliable signal
7–10 yrs
is the typical service life of a residential sump pump, shorter when it cycles often
Needs power
a standard electric sump pump stops when the power goes out, which is why battery backups are widely recommended
3×+
return on a year of Spur Team from just five pump-and-backup installs
FAQ
Sump pump replacement lead questions
How do I find homes with old sump pumps?
Spur can't see the pit, so it uses build year, ownership length, and property type. Homes with basements built 2005–2016 and owned 8+ years by one owner are likely on an original or first replacement pump.
What should a sump pump postcard offer?
A flat-rate pump check with a clear price, plus a note about battery backups. Owners will book a quick visit more readily than a full inspection.
When is the best time to mail?
Late winter, before snowmelt and spring rain, and early fall after summer storms. Spur can schedule both every year.
Can I upsell a battery backup?
Yes. Mention it on the card and quote it on the visit. A pump with no backup stops when the power does, which is why many replacements include one.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Replace the pump before the storm tests it.
Pull homes with aging pumps and mail your first pump check today. Free to start.
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