A Sugar Hill sump pump usually fails from a stuck float, a check valve that leaks back, a tripped outlet or a worn motor. Some Sugar Hill properties aren't on municipal sewer, so a plumber should keep the discharge away from any drain field as well as out of Gwinnett County sewer. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Sugar Hill.
Sugar Hill basics
Sugar Hill is a fast-growing north Gwinnett city near Lake Lanier and the North Georgia foothills. It mails as Buford, but water and sewer come from Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, not the City of Buford. The city's FAQ notes that some properties are not on municipal sewer and use private onsite wastewater systems, which are the owner's responsibility. Gwinnett is responsible only up to the meter; the rest is the homeowner's. For a sump pump, that means two rules. On county sewer, pit water shouldn't go into a floor drain or laundry sink. On a private onsite system, it must never reach the tank or drain field, where groundwater can overload them. In both cases the discharge belongs on open ground, sloped away from the house. Sugar Hill also runs its own natural gas utility: if you ever smell gas near the pump area, leave the house first, then call 911 and the City of Sugar Hill Gas Department at (770) 271-2137 from outside.
What to do now
- Turn off the pump's breaker if water is near the outlet. Avoid standing water near cords.
- Check the float with power off and free it if it's caught.
- Turn the power back on. If the pump hums without moving water, shut it off again.
- Look at the outdoor outlet. Clear leaves or soil, and make sure the water isn't heading toward a drain field.
- Move belongings away from the pit.
- Note whether the home is on county sewer or an onsite system so you can tell the plumber.
- Call a plumber if the water keeps rising.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pit full, pump silent | Float stuck, outlet tripped or motor failed |
| Constant running | Float stuck up, undersized pump or heavy inflow |
| Rapid cycling | Check valve or float adjustment |
| Soggy ground over the drain field | Discharge routed too close to the onsite system |
| Musty basement | Pump falling behind or discharge too close to the house |
Cost factors
- Part repair versus pump replacement
- Discharge length to clear the house and any drain field
- Access to the pit
- Battery backup and alarm
- Permits through Sugar Hill Building Services; the city FAQ says Gwinnett County inspects water and sewer codes
- Replacing a cracked or silted basin
Sump Pumps questions in Sugar Hill
My home is not on municipal sewer. Can the pump empty into the onsite system?
Can the sump discharge go into a floor drain, laundry sink or sewer cleanout?
How do I keep the pit from overflowing when the power goes out?
What is the difference between a sump pump and a sewage ejector pump?
More plumbing services in Sugar Hill
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Sugar Hill, Georgia (Wikipedia)
- Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources: water service
- Gwinnett County is responsible for the pipes that bring water to the m: service line ownership
- City of Sugar Hill Planning & Development - Building Services: permits
- City of Sugar Hill Gas Department emergency information
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