An Erwin sump pump that leaves water in the pit usually has a stuck float, a failed check valve, a tripped outlet or a worn motor. About two-thirds of Erwin homes predate 1980, and about a quarter date to 1939 or earlier, so add-on pumps and their discharge lines often need attention too. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Erwin.
Erwin is a former cotton-mill town next to Dunn on the Cape Fear River, with some of the oldest homes in Harnett County: the median was built in 1966, roughly two-thirds predate 1980 and about 24% date to 1939 or earlier, per Census survey data. Erwin has no town water department. Harnett County bought the water and sewer systems in 2006, so Harnett Regional Water now runs both. Sump water is groundwater and should go to the yard, not into that sewer system. Houses that old weren't built with sump pits, so a pump under one was added later, and the pit may be shallow, the float may rub the wall, and the discharge may end close enough to the foundation that the same water cycles back in.
First steps
- Cut the power. If water is near the pump's cord, switch off the breaker from a dry spot.
- Reset once. A tripped GFCI or breaker is a common cause. If it trips again, leave it.
- Check the float. With power off, see whether it's stuck against the pit wall.
- Bail. Hold the level down with a wet vacuum or buckets.
- Check the wiring. In older houses, look for an extension cord that has come loose.
- Call. Describe what you've found and how fast water is coming in.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pump doesn't start | Power, stuck float or bad switch |
| Hums, no pumping | Clogged impeller or motor failure |
| Water drains back | Worn check valve |
| Short, frequent cycles | Shallow pit or low float setting |
| Wet ground near the house | Discharge too close to the foundation |
Cost factors
- Part repair or a new pump
- Access in an older, low crawl space
- Pit repair or replacement
- New discharge line
- Backup pump and alarm
No backflow program for Erwin turned up in the research for this page. A water-powered backup connects to your drinking water and needs backflow protection, so ask the plumber what's required; a battery backup avoids the question. Plumbing inspections are done by Harnett County, but Erwin requires its own zoning permit first, so ask the plumber whether your job needs either one.
Sump Pumps questions in Erwin
Is it okay to send sump water into a floor drain or sewer cleanout?
Does sump pump work need a permit here?
My house sits on a crawl space. Is a sump pump worth having?
The pump quit in the middle of a storm. What should I do first?
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