Sump Pumps in Garner, NC

Are sump pumps more common in older Garner homes?

They tend to be add-ons there. Garner is a bedroom community just south of Raleigh with a small historic downtown, and it has the oldest housing of the inner Wake towns: about 28% of homes were built before 1980, compared with about 12% in Cary and 4% in Apex, per Census survey data. The median Garner home dates to 2001, so you'll also find plenty of newer houses with builder-installed pits.

In an older house, a pump that was added later may have been wired to whatever outlet was nearby and piped wherever was easiest. In a newer one, the original pump may have sat idle for years and could seize the first time a big storm fills the pit. Both deserve a test before the wet season.

Where does sump water go in Garner?

Outside, never into the sewer. The City of Raleigh owns and operates Garner's water and sewer systems, and Garner-area sewer flow has gone to Raleigh's Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility since 2008. That plant is built for wastewater. Sump water is groundwater, so a discharge that empties into a floor drain or cleanout should be rerouted to the yard, sloped away from the foundation.

Garner also happens to sit beside Lake Benson, one of Raleigh Water's two drinking water sources. That's a good reminder that the water in your sump pit and the water in your pipes should never mix.

Do I need anything special for a water-powered backup?

Yes, backflow protection. A water-powered backup uses pressure from your household water line to pull water out of the pit, so a device has to stop pit water from being drawn back into the supply. Raleigh Water's cross-connection program covers Garner. Most homes have a non-testable dual check in the meter box, and testable assemblies follow a schedule set by the city and must be tested by a City of Raleigh certified tester. Ask the plumber which device fits and whether it goes on the testing list. Homes in unincorporated 27529 on private wells should choose a battery backup instead.

Permits

The Town of Garner Inspections Department handles plumbing and building permits through its online portal. A pump swap is different from a new pit or drain connection, and the plumber can tell you which yours is.