Sump Pumps in Jonesboro, GA

Signs to look for

• A pump that stays off while the basin overflows
• A motor that runs for long stretches with little effect
• Rapid on-off clicking
• Water draining back after each cycle
• Wet subfloor, mold on joists or a musty crawl space
• An old, corroded pump that hasn't been checked in years

Jonesboro's older housing

Jonesboro, the Clayton County seat, has a railroad-era downtown and the Jonesboro Historic District. Its housing is older than much of the metro: census survey figures put the median home at 1972, with about 69% built before 1980. Many of those houses sit on crawl spaces where a pump was added later, and the discharge sometimes runs into a laundry drain or ends right at the foundation.

Clayton County Water Authority provides water, sewer and stormwater service throughout the county, and the City of Jonesboro refers water and sewer problems to CCWA. Its sewer carries household wastewater, so a sump line connected to it should be moved outdoors. The service line from the meter to the house belongs to the owner.

CCWA also installs backflow devices at customer connections and tests them every year with its own state-certified specialists, so homeowners don't hire a tester for that device. If you want a water-powered backup, ask the plumber whether it needs its own protection inside the house.

Cost depends on

• A single part versus a full replacement
• Crawl space height and pit location in an older home
• Rerouting a discharge out of a household drain
• Extending the outdoor line away from the foundation
• Adding a battery backup or alarm

What to expect when you call

Calling connects you with an independent plumber who serves Jonesboro. Say where the pit is, what the pump is doing and whether water is rising now. If it's near an outlet, turn off the breaker first, and keep people out of standing water in the crawl space. A photo of the pit and the outdoor end of the discharge pipe can help the plumber see what's going on. The City of Jonesboro handles building permits from City Hall, so the plumber can check whether your job needs one.