Sump Pumps in Winston-Salem, NC

Why older Winston-Salem homes see more of this

About 43% of homes in the city were built before 1980, and neighborhoods like West End were mostly built between 1887 and 1930. Houses from those eras often have full or partial basements, block foundations and drainage that was never designed for today's gutters, patios and driveways. When groundwater or storm runoff collects around the foundation, a pit and pump give it a controlled place to go. Newer homes on dry crawl spaces may never need one.

Signs the pump needs a plumber

• The pit is full and the pump is silent, even with the outlet and breaker working
• The motor runs but the water level doesn't drop
• It turns on and off every few seconds
• You hear water flowing back into the pit after it shuts off
• Grinding, rattling or a burning smell while it runs
• The pump is many years old and you've never tested it

To test it, unplug the pump, check that the float moves freely, plug it back in and pour a bucket of water into the pit. It should start, empty the pit and shut off on its own.

Repair, replace or upgrade

A float switch that hangs up on the pit wall or a check valve that lets water fall back are routine part swaps. When the motor fails or the pump simply can't move enough water during a heavy storm, replacement is the usual fix, sometimes with a larger pump or a bigger basin. Since storms that fill the pit can also knock out power, many owners add a battery backup. If you're adding a new pit or changing how the system is wired or piped, ask the plumber whether the work needs a permit from the joint City-County Inspections Division.

Where the water should end up

The discharge pipe should carry water well away from the house and toward a spot where it can soak in or drain, not back against the foundation or onto a neighbor's yard. It should never be tied into a floor drain, cleanout or other sewer connection. Groundwater in the sanitary sewer adds load the system isn't meant to carry. A discharge line that freezes or ends at the foundation wall can usually be rerouted.

What affects the cost

The main factors are whether you need a part or a complete pump, pump type and capacity, any new pit or discharge piping, access to the basement or crawl space, and whether a backup pump is part of the job. Ask for the diagnosis and price before work starts.