Sump Pump & Sewer Pump Service in Roswell, GA

Among the more confusing sump pump problems is this one: the pump is running, but the water in the pit is not going down. The motor clearly has power, so the trouble lies somewhere between the impeller and the outlet. That gap can come from trapped air, wear, debris, a blocked pipe or a pump that was never matched to the job. Each cause has its own tell.

Air lock

A submersible pump can trap a pocket of air in its housing, especially after the pit runs dry or the pump is reinstalled. With air around the impeller, it spins without pushing water. Many installations include a small relief hole drilled in the discharge pipe between the pump and the check valve so air can escape; if that hole is missing or plugged, air lock becomes more likely. A pump that hums along while the water surface stays calm and no rush of water sounds in the pipe is a classic sign.

Clogged intake or worn impeller

Silt, slime or a plastic bag across the intake screen starves the pump of water. Inside the housing, grit gradually wears the impeller vanes until the pump moves only a fraction of its rated flow. A worn pump tends to run longer each cycle before finally falling behind in a heavy storm. Cleaning restores a clogged intake; a worn impeller usually means it is time for a new pump.

A blocked or frozen discharge

If the discharge pipe is blocked, the pump pushes against a dead end. Typical culprits are a buried outlet crushed by a mower or vehicle, a pipe end packed with debris, or, during a hard freeze, ice in an exposed outdoor section. Walk outside while the pump runs: no water at the outlet points to a blockage somewhere along the line.

A check valve problem

A check valve installed backward, or one stuck shut, stops flow entirely. One that is stuck open lets water pour back into the pit the moment the pump stops, so the pit seems to empty and then fills right back up. Both are easy to miss unless you know to watch for them.

Too much lift or too much water

A pump can only push water so high. If it was chosen without regard to the height and length of the discharge, it may deliver very little at the top of a tall basement wall. In very heavy rain, even a sound pump can run nonstop and still lose ground because the inflow exceeds what it can move. The answer may be a stronger pump, a larger discharge pipe, a second pump or work outside to reduce how much water reaches the pit.

What the technician checks

1. Confirms the pump is actually turning and drawing normal current.
2. Looks for air lock and clears the relief hole or adds one.
3. Pulls the pump to inspect the intake and impeller.
4. Checks the check valve's direction and condition.
5. Follows the discharge to its outlet and clears any blockage.
6. Compares the lift with the pump's rated performance.

The same steps apply to a sewage ejector that runs without emptying its basin, with one more possibility: the drain it discharges into may be blocked, in which case main sewer line repair or hydro jetting may be needed.

Checking permits in Roswell

In Roswell, the Building Division handles permits for installing, altering or replacing plumbing, and permits go to contractors who hold a license or to an owner who lives in the home. Ask the division whether a particular pump job needs one before the work is scheduled.

Questions about a sump pump that runs but does not pump in Roswell

How can I tell if my sump pump is air locked?

Look and listen while it runs. An air-locked pump hums steadily, the surface in the pit stays almost still and the discharge pipe is silent. Unplugging it for a minute and then plugging it back in can let the bubble out. If the problem keeps returning, the small vent hole that belongs below the check valve needs a plumber's attention.

Is it safe to let a pump run dry?

Not for long. Many submersible pumps rely on the surrounding water to cool the motor, and running without water can overheat it and damage the seals. A pump running in an empty pit usually has a stuck switch. Unplug it, check that the float moves freely and call for service if the problem returns.

Can a sewage ejector become air locked too?

It can, particularly after the basin has been emptied for service or the pump was reinstalled without venting its housing. The relief hole and the basin vent both help air escape. Because opening a sewage basin is not a homeowner task, a running ejector that leaves the basin full is a reason to call a plumber rather than experiment.

When the water will not go down

If the pit is close to overflowing, lift stored items off the floor and keep away from wet outlets, then call. Alpha's Georgia sump and sewer pump overview explains backup pumps that take over when a primary falls behind. For a Roswell pump that runs without results, the number for Alpha Plumbing and Sewer is (404) 409-4448.