Emergency Sump Pump Repair During A Storm
A pump that stops during a heavy rain can let a pit overflow in a matter of hours. If the pit is filling and the pump is not running, keep power away from standing water and call our 24/7 emergency line.
We come out around the clock to get a failed pump running or install a replacement. A battery backup is worth discussing so the next storm does not catch you the same way.
North Georgia clay drains slowly. After a long rain the soil around a foundation stays saturated, and that water has to go somewhere. In homes with a basement or a below-grade crawlspace, a sump pit collects it and a pump sends it out to the yard. When the pump jams, the float sticks, or the check valve fails, the pit overflows and the water goes where you do not want it.
Most sump pump calls come down to a short list of causes. A float switch that is stuck against the side of the pit will keep a pump from ever turning on, or keep it running without stopping. A pump that runs constantly may be working against a failed check valve, a clogged discharge line, or a pit that is simply too small for the water coming in.
A pump that hums but does not move water often has a jammed or worn impeller. We test each of these before recommending a replacement,. That is because a stuck float or a clogged line is a much smaller repair than a new pump.
Age matters too. Most primary pumps last roughly 7 to 10 years. A pump near that age that has started cycling oddly or making noise is a better candidate for replacement than for a third repair. A battery backup is worth considering for any home where flooding would be costly,. That is because the storms that fill a pit are often the same storms that knock out power.
Where the water goes matters as much as the pump. The discharge line should carry water well away from the foundation, to the yard or a storm drainage path, and not into the sanitary sewer line. Most sewer utilities prohibit connecting a sump pump to the sanitary sewer. Doing it can overload the line during exactly the weather when sewers are most strained. We check where your discharge ends up as part of every visit.
Basements and below-grade crawlspaces are most common in the established neighborhoods around Towne Lake, Wyngate, and Towne Lake Hills, in older homes near Main Street downtown. On sloped lots toward the Little River and Noonday Creek corridors. Newer slab-on-grade subdivisions along Highway 92 and in Bradshaw Farm are less likely to have a pit at all. That said, some lots still use a yard drain or a pump for a lower level.
If you are unsure whether your house has a sump pit, look for a round lid in the basement floor or crawlspace, often with a pipe running up the wall.
A pump alone does not fix a basement that floods repeatedly. If water keeps coming back, grading, gutters, downspout extensions. Cracks in the foundation are usually part of the answer, and our basement waterproofing service covers the drainage side.
If the water is clean and constant with no rain, the source may be a supply line instead of groundwater, and leak detection is the right call. A wet crawlspace that has already damaged flooring or insulation is a job for water damage restoration.
Sump pump work falls under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code, which is the 2018 International Plumbing Code with Georgia amendments, and any new pit or discharge work is done to that standard. We give a written quote before non-emergency work begins, and the emergency line is open 24/7 when a pit is overflowing now.
We serve the whole Woodstock area, including Towne Lake, Holly Springs, Hickory Flat, Canton, and Acworth. Homes near the Etowah River in Canton and low-lying lots near Lake Allatoona and Lake Acworth are the ones where we get asked about sump pumps most.
Before We Arrive: If Your Sump Pit Is Overflowing
Keep power and water apart
If the pump, its cord, or the outlet is sitting in water, do not touch them. Turn off the breaker for that circuit only if you can reach the panel without stepping through water.
Stop adding water
Hold off on the washing machine, dishwasher, and long showers while the pit is full, and disconnect any downspout extension that drains toward the house.
Move what you can to higher ground
Lift boxes, rugs, and electronics off the floor and photograph the water level for your insurance claim before you start cleanup.
Call our 24/7 line
Tell us whether the pump is silent, running nonstop, or humming. That tells the technician what to bring.
What Sump Pump Work Typically Costs
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis And Minor Repair | $150 to $400 |
| Primary Pump Replacement | $500 to $1,100 |
| New Pit And Pump Installation | $800 to $2,000 |
| Battery Backup Installation | $500 to $1,200 |
Non-emergency work gets a written quote first. Emergency dispatch carries a standard trip charge disclosed on the call. Want a real number for your situation? Call (770) 214-4545.
Ejector Pumps And Basement Bathrooms
A sump pump handles groundwater, but a basement bathroom often has a separate ejector pump that lifts waste water to the sewer line. If that pump fails, the toilet and shower in the basement stop draining properly. The signs are slow drains downstairs, gurgling, or a smell near the pit.
We replace failed ejector pumps and check the lid seal, vent, and check valve at the same time. If your home has both types of pump, we label what each one does so you know which one to call about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my sump pump running constantly?
The usual causes are a stuck float switch, a failed check valve letting water flow back into the pit, a clogged discharge line, or very high groundwater after heavy rain. We test each one before recommending a replacement.
Why won't my sump pump turn on?
Check that it is plugged into a working outlet and that the breaker has not tripped. If power is fine, a stuck float, a failed switch, or a seized motor is the next suspect. We can usually tell on the first visit.
How long does a sump pump last?
Most primary pumps last roughly 7 to 10 years. A pump near that age that is noisy or cycling oddly is usually better replaced than repaired again.
Should I get a battery backup sump pump?
If flooding would cause real damage and your power tends to fail during storms, yes. A battery backup keeps the pit emptying when the main pump has no electricity.
Can a sump pump drain into the sewer line?
Generally no. Most sewer utilities prohibit it because it can overload the sanitary line during storms. The discharge should go to the yard or a storm drainage path away from the foundation.