Sump Pump & Sewer Pump Service in Union City, GA

Most people would rather not think about the sump pit or ejector basin set into the floor of a basement, crawlspace or utility room. That is exactly why safety gets overlooked. An open sump pit, a loose ejector lid, a cord snaking across a wet floor or a homeowner reaching in to free a stuck float can turn a small problem into a bigger one. In Union City homes, a few habits make pump areas safer for everyone.

Keep every pit covered

An uncovered sump pit is a hole full of water, often a couple of feet deep. Small children and pets can fall in or drop things into it, and adults can step into it in a dark basement. A sturdy, fitted lid that stays put solves this, and it also keeps debris out of the pump. Replace lids that crack or slide easily. If the pit sits in a play area or finished room, a lid that fastens down adds an extra margin.

Ejector lids stay sealed

A sewage ejector basin should always be closed with its bolted, gasketed lid. That lid keeps sewer gas and odor in and keeps people and pets out of wastewater. Never remove it to peek inside; if you suspect a problem, describe the symptoms to a plumber instead. Missing bolts, a cracked lid or a strong smell near the basin are all reasons to call.

Water and electricity

• Never reach into a pit or handle a pump while it is plugged in.
• Unplug the pump, or switch off its circuit, before clearing debris, and stand on a dry surface while you do.
• Keep cords off the floor and away from the rim of the pit.
• Do not rely on an extension cord as a permanent pump connection.
• If the floor around the pump is flooded, do not wade through the water to reach the outlet; shut off power at the panel if you can get there from a dry spot, or wait for help.

Handling a sewage backup

Water from an ejector basin or a backed-up floor drain is sewage and should be treated that way. Keep children and pets out of the area, wear waterproof gloves and boots if you must move belongings, and wash up thoroughly afterward. Do not try to mop it into a floor drain or the sump pit. Professional water restoration handles contaminated water differently from a clean leak, and an active backup is the kind of situation emergency plumbing exists for.

Jobs for a homeowner, jobs for a plumber

Homeowners can safely keep the lid on, keep the area clear, listen for unusual noises and test a sump pump by pouring water into the pit. Lifting a pump out, replacing a check valve, working on wiring or opening an ejector basin belong to a professional. Pumps can be heavy and awkward, discharge pipes hold a column of water that spills when disconnected, and ejector basins contain sewage. A job done wrong often ends with a flooded basement or a basin that leaks gas afterward.

Alarms as a safety tool

A high-water alarm does more than protect belongings. It gives warning before water reaches outlets, appliances or a furnace sitting on the basement floor. Test it a few times a year, make sure it can be heard from the main living area and replace weak batteries in battery-powered models. What to do when one goes off is covered in Alpha's Georgia sump and sewer pump page.

When safety work needs a Union City permit

Lids, cords and alarms are maintenance items, but if making a pump area safer turns into new piping or a relocated basin, Union City's Building Permits Division, part of Community Development, is the office to ask about a plumbing permit.

Common safety questions in Union City homes

Is it safe to leave a sump pit open for a little while?

Only while you are standing over it, such as during a bucket test. Walk away for a minute and a toddler, a pet or a dropped tool can end up in the water. Make putting the lid back part of the test itself, and if the lid no longer seats firmly, replace it rather than balancing it in place.

Can I stand on a sump pit lid?

Most standard lids are designed to keep debris out, not to carry a person's weight, and a cracked or flexing lid can give way underfoot. Treat the lid as a cover rather than a step, and keep heavy items off it. If the pit sits in a walkway or a play area, ask about a sturdier lid made for that kind of location.

Do I need to turn off the pump before cleaning around the pit?

For sweeping the floor nearby, no. For anything that involves reaching into the pit, moving the pump or touching its cord or switch, yes: unplug it or turn off its circuit first. Plug it back in when you finish so the pit is protected again. That last step is easy to forget, so leave yourself a reminder on the lid.

Making the pump area safer

Look over your pit lid, the cord and the alarm before you call, and mention anything that seems loose or missing. To have a sump or ejector in Union City checked and made safer, dial (404) 409-4448.