Sump Pumps in Advance, NC

Signs it needs attention

• The pit fills during a storm and the pump stays quiet
• The motor runs and runs while the water level holds steady
• Rapid on-off clicking, even in light rain
• A rattle, grind or burning smell while it runs
• Puddles, mildew or a musty odor in the crawl space
• Water coming back down the pipe after shutoff

What's different about Advance

Advance is an unincorporated part of eastern Davie County along the Yadkin River, taking in communities such as Farmington, Fork Church and Smith Grove. Housing is mostly newer, with a median build year of 2001 in Census survey data. Pumps installed when those houses went up are now reaching the age where floats and switches start to fail, and many have never been tested.

Sewer service depends on the address. Davie County Public Utilities runs sewer where it is available, and other homes are not on municipal sewer and use a private onsite wastewater system. Either way, sump water belongs outdoors. A pump that empties into a sewer line or into the onsite system sends groundwater where it was never meant to go, and on an onsite system that can saturate the drain field.

Water service also depends on location. Davie County Public Utilities supplies homes where its lines reach, and the county says most homes without in-ground irrigation don't need a testable backflow device. A water-powered backup pump connects to the drinking water line, so ask the plumber what protection it needs and whether it would change that. If your home is on a private well instead, a water-powered backup loses its pressure source when the power goes out, and a battery backup is the better fit.

What changes the price

• Repairing a switch or valve versus installing a new pump
• The pump's capacity and build quality
• Whether the pit liner or lid needs replacing
• How far the discharge line must run to drain away from the house
• Backup options: battery, water-powered or a second pump

What to expect on the call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who covers Advance and the rest of eastern Davie County. Describe what the pump is doing, whether water is coming up now, and whether the house is on county sewer or an onsite system. Keep people and pets out of standing water near the pit, and shut off the pump's power before handling it. Building permits for unincorporated Davie County come from Davie County Planning & Development Services, so the plumber can tell you whether a new circuit or pit needs one.