Around Belews Creek, sump pump problems are the usual ones, a stuck float, a failed check valve or a worn motor, but the backup and discharge choices are different because private wells and onsite wastewater systems are common. A plumber can match the setup to a rural lot. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Belews Creek.
Rural conditions near the lake
Belews Creek is an unincorporated, rural part of northeastern Forsyth County near Belews Lake. City-County planning staff describe the lake area as having no Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities water or sewer, with new lots there using private onsite wastewater systems and some parcels able to get Town of Stokesdale water. Wells are evidently common, though no source gives a share. Homes are mostly from the 1990s on, with a median build year of 1994 in Census survey data.
For sump pumps, that means two things. The discharge must stay out of the onsite system, because extra groundwater can saturate the drain field, so route it to the yard well clear of the tank and field. And a water-powered backup is a poor match for a well, since the well pump stops when the power does.
Backup choices for a well home
| Backup | Works on a well in an outage? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery backup pump | Yes | Most common choice; battery needs periodic checks |
| Water-powered backup | No | Needs steady supply pressure, which a well can't give without power |
| Generator | Yes | Can run the sump pump and the well pump if sized for both |
| High-water alarm | Yes, if battery powered | Warns you; doesn't remove water |
If your address is on public water from Stokesdale or WSFCU, a water-powered unit becomes possible, but ask about backflow protection first. WSFCU's program covers its customers only.
Signs your pump needs help
- The pit fills and the motor doesn't start
- Constant running with no drop in level
- Rapid cycling or a clicking switch
- Water rushing back after shutoff
- Damp soil, standing water or mildew in the crawl space
Timing
Storm season is the wrong time to find out a pump is dead. Pour water into the pit every few months, and more often before spring and late-summer storms. If the house loses power often in storms, a battery backup or generator plan is worth setting up in a dry week. Plumbing permits for the Forsyth County part of Belews Creek go through the joint Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division; the Stokes County side of ZIP 27009 likely falls under Stokes County.
Sump Pumps questions in Belews Creek
Does a water-powered backup pump work on a private well?
If my house isn't on municipal sewer, can the pump drain into the onsite system?
What keeps the pit from overflowing when the power goes out?
Why does the sump pit smell bad?
More plumbing services in Belews Creek
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: