Sump Pumps in Riverdale, GA

Signs something is wrong

• The basin stays full after rain and the pump doesn't respond
• You can hear it running but the water isn't moving
• It starts and stops every few seconds
• Water flows back into the pit as soon as it stops
• Wet flooring near the basement wall or a musty crawl space
• Visible rust, a cracked basin or a strong electrical smell

Conditions in Riverdale

Riverdale sits in western Clayton County just south of Hartsfield-Jackson, and grew from a railroad stop founded in 1886. Census survey figures put the median home at 1990, with about a third built before 1980. Older houses often have crawl spaces where a pump was added after the fact, and newer ones may still run the pump the builder installed.

Clayton County Water Authority provides water, sewer and stormwater service across the county, including Riverdale. Its sewer system carries household wastewater to CCWA's treatment plants, so a sump pump piped into a floor drain or cleanout should be rerouted outdoors. CCWA's service line runs from the main to the meter, and the line from the meter to the house belongs to the owner.

One local difference is worth knowing. CCWA installs backflow devices at customer connections and tests them every year with its own state-certified specialists. If you're thinking about a backup pump that runs on water pressure, ask the plumber how it would fit with the device CCWA already maintains at your connection. For many Riverdale homes a battery backup is the simpler choice, since it adds nothing to the water line.

Cost factors

• Fixing one component versus replacing the pump
• Submersible or pedestal model and its size
• Access to the pit
• Rerouting a discharge that drains back toward the house
• Adding a battery backup or alarm

What happens when you call

The number puts you through to an independent plumber who serves Riverdale. Tell them what the pump is doing and whether the water is rising. If it's near an outlet, switch off the circuit first. If you can, note how long the pump runs and how often it starts; that helps the plumber narrow things down. Riverdale's Department of Community Development issues plumbing permits through its Trade Permit Application, and the plumber can tell you whether your job needs one.