Clemmons homes are mostly from the 1990s and 2000s, so many sump pumps here are original builder units now old enough to fail at the float, check valve or motor. A few quick checks can tell you whether it's an outage or a dead pump. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clemmons.
Clemmons at a glance
Clemmons grew from about 6,000 people in 1990 to about 21,000 in 2020, and most of its housing went up in that stretch: the median home dates to 1994, with about 29% built before 1980, according to Census survey data. A pump installed with a house from that boom has likely been running for decades without a test, and the lots that slope toward the Yadkin River near Tanglewood Park or sit low in a subdivision give their pumps the most work. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities provides water and sewer in the village.
What to do right now
- Stay out of the water until the power is off. Unplug the pump from a dry spot or switch off its breaker.
- Check the outlet. Many pumps sit on a GFCI outlet that trips during storms. Reset it and see whether the pump starts.
- Look at the float. If it's wedged against the pit wall or tangled in the cord, free it by hand with the power off, then restore power.
- Listen when it runs. A hum with no water moving points to a jammed impeller or a dead motor.
- Bail if needed. A wet-dry vacuum or bucket keeps the water down while you wait.
- Don't redirect the water into a drain. WSFC's sewer is built for wastewater; dumping pit water into a sink or cleanout only moves the problem.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pump silent with water in the pit | Tripped outlet, stuck float or failed switch |
| Hums but doesn't pump | Clogged intake, jammed impeller or burned-out motor |
| Starts and stops every few seconds | Float set too tight or a leaking check valve |
| Runs nonstop in a storm | Undersized pump or a long, restricted discharge line |
| Runs on dry days | Leaking supply line or water falling back from the discharge |
| Crawl space still wet with the pump working | Water entering where the pit can't collect it |
What changes the cost
- Part repair versus a new pump
- Pump capacity and build
- Crawl space access
- New discharge piping to the yard
- Battery or water-powered backup; a water-powered unit needs backflow protection under WSFC's cross-connection program
- Any permit through the joint Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division, which serves Clemmons
Sump Pumps questions in Clemmons
Does every crawl space need a sump pump?
Can sump water be piped into a sink, floor drain or sewer cleanout?
What keeps the pit from overflowing when the power goes out?
When is a sump pump due for replacement?
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