A Kennesaw sump pump usually stops working because the float jams, the check valve fails, the outlet trips or the motor wears out. A plumber can repair or replace it and keep the discharge out of the Cobb County sewer. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Kennesaw.
Kennesaw homes
Kennesaw is a Cobb County city next to Kennesaw Mountain and home to Kennesaw State University. Its housing is mostly from the 1990s and 2000s; census survey figures put the median home at 1998, with about 11% built before 1980. Many basements and crawl spaces still have the builder's pump. Cobb County Water System provides water and sewer, and owns the line only from the main to the meter. Everything past the meter, including the sump system, is the homeowner's. Pumped groundwater should go to the yard, never into a floor drain or laundry sink that feeds county sewer. Lots near the mountain and on sloped streets can send a lot of water toward a basement wall, so an original builder pump may be undersized for the real inflow.
Steps to take now
- Switch off the pump's breaker if water is near the outlet or cord.
- With power off, see if the float is pinned or tangled, and free it.
- Turn power back on and listen. Humming with no water moving means stop and leave it off.
- Check the outdoor discharge for a clog, a crushed section or ice in a cold snap.
- Pick up rugs and stored items near the pit.
- Check whether the pump is plugged into a shared outlet or an extension cord.
- Call a plumber if the water keeps climbing.
Signs and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pit overflowing, no motor sound | Float stuck, outlet tripped or motor failed |
| Motor runs, water stays | Impeller worn or discharge blocked |
| On-off every few seconds | Check valve leaking or float misadjusted |
| Thud in the pipe at shutoff | Check valve slamming or failing |
| Grinding noise | Debris in the impeller or worn bearings |
What affects cost
- Fixing a float or valve versus replacing a builder pump
- Pump capacity and pit size
- Finished basement or crawl space access
- Extending the discharge away from the house
- Battery backup; a water-powered unit falls under Cobb County's annual backflow testing by a county-registered tester
- A permit through Kennesaw Building Services' online portal, which enforces the 2024 International Plumbing Code with Georgia amendments
- A dedicated outlet if the pump shares a circuit
Sump Pumps questions in Kennesaw
Can the discharge line freeze during a Georgia cold snap?
How many years does a sump pump usually last?
Does a water-powered backup pump need a backflow device?
The pump quit in the middle of a storm. What should I do?
More plumbing services in Kennesaw
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Kennesaw housing by year built (via Point2Homes)
- Kennesaw, Georgia (Wikipedia)
- Cobb County Water System: water service
- Cobb County Water System owns and maintains the line from the water ma: service line ownership
- Cobb County Water System Backflow Prevention Program: any property wit: backflow prevention
- City of Kennesaw Building Services Department: permits
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