A Middlesex sump pump that isn't clearing water usually has a jammed float, a failed check valve, a power issue or a worn motor. Middlesex mixes older homes with a recent wave of new construction, so the fix may be an add-on pump that needs rework or a builder-installed one that has never been serviced. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Middlesex.
Middlesex is a very small Nash County town about 25 miles east of Raleigh. Its housing is mostly older, with a median build year of 1977 and about 55% before 1980, but roughly 23% of homes went up in 2010 or later, per Census survey data. Town water comes from four town wells, and the town collects wastewater and ships it to Raleigh for treatment. Sump water is groundwater and doesn't belong in that system; send it to the yard. In the older homes, a pump was usually added after the fact and may be plugged into a shared outlet or extension cord. In newer homes, the original pump may never have been tested, so a quick check before the wet season is worth doing.
What to do now
- Stay out of the water. If it's near the pump's cord, turn off the breaker first.
- Check the outlet. Reset a tripped GFCI or breaker once.
- Free the float. With power off, make sure it moves freely.
- Lower the level. Use a wet vacuum or buckets if the pit is close to overflowing.
- Check outside. Make sure the discharge outlet is clear and not draining toward the house.
- Call. Explain what you've found.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| No start with a full pit | Power loss, float stuck or switch failure |
| Hums but doesn't pump | Jammed impeller or failing motor |
| Water returns after each cycle | Failed check valve |
| New pump seized after months idle | Corrosion from sitting dry |
| Water near the foundation | Discharge too short or blocked |
What affects the cost
- Repairing a part or replacing the pump
- Pump size and style
- Crawl-space access
- New or rerouted discharge line
- Backup pump and alarm
No backflow page turned up on the town's website. A water-powered backup connects to your drinking water and needs backflow protection, so ask the plumber what's required. The rural 27557 area outside town is a mix of public water and private wells; on a well, choose a battery backup, and on lots that aren't on municipal sewer, keep the discharge away from the onsite system's drainfield. Building permits are issued by Nash County after the town's zoning permit.
Sump Pumps questions in Middlesex
Is it okay to send sump water into a floor drain or sewer cleanout?
My home isn't on municipal sewer. Can the sump empty into my onsite wastewater system?
Will a water-powered backup pump work if the house is on a private well?
How can I tell whether my sump pump still works?
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