Emergency Plumber in Johns Creek, GA for Urgent Plumbing Problems

A basement that stays dry most of the year can flood quickly when the pump protecting it stops. In Johns Creek homes with basements, a pump failure is a true plumbing emergency, and it comes in two kinds: a sump pump that should be moving groundwater out, and a sewage ejector that lifts wastewater from basement fixtures up to the sewer. Pump failures do not keep business hours, and the phones at Alpha Plumbing and Sewer are answered 24/7. Knowing which pump you have tells you what to do while you wait.

Sump pump or sewage ejector?

• Sump pump: sits in a pit in the basement or crawlspace floor that collects groundwater from drain tile. The lid, if there is one, is usually loose, and the water inside is clear. It pumps out to the yard.
• Sewage ejector: sits in a sealed basin, usually with a bolted lid and a vent pipe, and receives drains from a basement bathroom, bar sink or laundry that sit below the sewer line. The water inside is sewage.

Quick checks for a sump pump that stopped

1. Make sure it has power. Check whether it is plugged in, whether a GFCI outlet has tripped, and whether the breaker is on. Do this only if the floor around the outlet is dry.
2. Look at the float. A float that is stuck against the side of the pit or tangled in the cord cannot turn the pump on.
3. Listen. A pump that hums without moving water may be jammed with debris or have a failed impeller.
4. Check outside. A discharge pipe that is crushed, buried or blocked will stop the pump from emptying the pit.

When the sewage ejector alarm sounds

The alarm means the basin is filling higher than it should. Stop using every fixture that drains into it: the basement toilet, shower, sink, and often the laundry. Check the pump's breaker or outlet, again only from a dry floor. Do not unbolt the lid; the basin holds sewage and sewer gas, and the job of opening it belongs to the plumber. If sewage is already on the floor, keep people and pets away.

Keeping water down until the repair

For a sump pit that is close to overflowing, a wet/dry vacuum or a portable utility pump with its hose run outside can buy time, provided you are working from a dry spot and using a properly grounded outlet. Move boxes, rugs and electronics off the basement floor. If groundwater or sewage has already spread, water restoration covers extraction, cleaning and drying, and sewage-affected materials are handled with extra care.

Repair, replacement and backup options

Many pump failures come down to a float switch, a check valve, or a pump that has reached the end of its life. Sump pump and sewer pump service covers repair and replacement of both kinds. While the pit is open, it is worth discussing a high-water alarm, a battery backup pump for power outages, and whether the pump is the right size for how much water the pit collects. For an ejector, the check valve and vent matter as much as the pump. A clear estimate lists the pump, switch, check valve, alarm or backup, and any discharge piping changes.

Permits in Johns Creek

Johns Creek, a Fulton County city, generally requires a permit under its plumbing code before plumbing is altered, repaired or replaced. Its permit checklist lets a fixture be repaired or replaced in the same spot without one, while work that changes the piping needs a permit, so whether a pump job needs one usually comes down to the piping; the city's building official can confirm for a specific job.

Sump and sewage pump questions in Johns Creek

How do I test a sump pump?

Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit until the float rises. The pump should start, empty the pit, and shut off on its own, and you should see water leaving the discharge pipe outside. If it does not start, hums without pumping, or runs without lowering the water, have it checked before the next heavy rain.

Why does my sump pump run all the time?

After long rain, a high water table can keep the pit filling, and frequent cycling is normal for a while. Constant running in dry weather points elsewhere: a float stuck in the on position, a failed check valve letting pumped water fall back into the pit, or a pump that is too small. Each of those wears the motor out faster.

Can I use the basement bathroom while the ejector alarm is on?

No. Every flush, shower or sink use adds to a basin that is already too full, and the next step is sewage coming up through the basement drains. Use bathrooms on upper floors, which drain by gravity, until the pump has been repaired and the alarm has reset.

Calling about a failed pump

With the pump quiet and water rising in the pit, call Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448; saying whether it is the sump pump or the sewage ejector helps the technician come prepared.