When a Nashville sump pump stops keeping up, the cause is usually a float that won't lift, a failed check valve, a power problem or a worn motor. In Nashville's older homes, a pump added later may also have a discharge pipe tied into the house drains, which should be fixed. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Nashville.
What to expect when you call
Your call reaches an independent plumber who serves Nashville. Describe the pit location, what the pump is doing and whether water is rising. If water is close to the cord or outlet, switch off the breaker before you go near it.
Diagnosis usually starts with power and the float, then the check valve and discharge line, and finally the motor. If the discharge turns out to empty into a sewer connection, the plumber can reroute it outdoors. In older houses near downtown, the plumber may also look at how the pump is plugged in, since a pump sharing an outlet with other equipment is more likely to lose power when a breaker trips during a storm.
What changes the cost
- A single failed part or a full pump replacement
- Pump size and type
- Crawl-space access, especially in older homes
- New discharge piping
- Battery backup or alarm options
Nashville homes and sewer
The Nash County seat has a historic downtown of Victorian and Queen Anne homes around Washington Street, surrounded by mostly 1980s-2000s housing. The median home was built in 1993 and about 28% predate 1980, per Census survey data.
The town maintains its sewer mains, 14 lift stations and the sewer laterals within town, and sewage is treated at Rocky Mount's Tar River Regional plant. Groundwater from a sump adds to everything those pumps and pipes carry, so sump discharge belongs in the yard. The town has also received a $1.5 million state grant for water and wastewater fixes, with plans that included lining manholes.
Nashville's backflow program covers industrial, commercial and irrigation customers, with annual reports filed through BSI Online. A water-powered backup sump pump connects to your drinking water, so ask the plumber what it needs. Outside town limits, homes may be on county water or private wells, where a battery backup is the better choice. Nash County handles building and trade permits after the town's zoning step.
Before the visit
- Unplug the pump if water is rising near it
- Clear access to the pit
- Locate the discharge outlet outside
- Note how long the pump has been acting up
- Keep a wet vacuum or buckets handy
Sump Pumps questions in Nashville
Is it okay to send sump water into a floor drain or sewer cleanout?
Will a water-powered backup pump work if the house is on a private well?
The pump quit in the middle of a storm. What should I do first?
What causes a sour or musty smell from the sump pit?
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