A Buford sump pump that stops working usually has a stuck float, a check valve that leaks back, a power problem or a worn-out motor. A plumber can fix it and route the discharge to the yard rather than into the city or county sewer, depending on who serves your address. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Buford.
What happens when you call
The number connects you with an independent plumber who covers Buford. Tell them whether you're inside city limits, where the pit is, what the pump is doing and whether water is rising. On site, the plumber will typically check power and the GFCI outlet, lift the float, look at the check valve and test the pump, then walk the discharge line to see where the water goes. Homes on sloped lots near Lake Lanier can push a lot of water toward a basement, so the plumber may also look at whether the pump is sized for the inflow and whether downspouts or grading are adding to the load.
What drives the cost
- A part repair versus a new pump
- Pump capacity on a hillside lot
- Finished basement or crawl space access
- Extending the discharge away from the foundation
- Battery backup and high-water alarm
- Any permit the work requires
Local conditions in Buford
Buford is a north Gwinnett city at the southern end of Lake Lanier, once known as "The Leather City." Census survey figures put the median home at 1996, with about 25% built before 1980. Older houses near downtown and Tannery Row often have crawl spaces; newer subdivisions around the Mall of Georgia tend to have basements.
The City of Buford runs its own water, sewer and gas utilities, with its own wastewater treatment plant and a fats, oils and grease program. Buford-mailing addresses outside city limits, including Sugar Hill, may be on Gwinnett County water and sewer instead. Either way, sewer lines are for household wastewater, and a sump pump shouldn't feed into them.
No Buford backflow program was found in the sources for this page, so ask the plumber what protection a water-powered backup would need before adding one.
Before the plumber arrives
- Turn off the pump's breaker if water is near the outlet
- Check your bill to see whether you're on city or county utilities
- Clear access to the pit and the outdoor discharge
- Note how often and how long the pump runs
- Move belongings off the basement floor
- Look for gutters emptying right at the foundation
Sump Pumps questions in Buford
Can the sump discharge go into a floor drain, laundry sink or sewer cleanout?
Do I need a permit to replace or add a sump pump?
Will a bigger pump fix one that can't keep up?
How do I keep the pit from overflowing when the power goes out?
More plumbing services in Buford
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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