When a Selma sump pump stops clearing the pit, it usually has a stuck float, a failed check valve, a power problem or a worn motor. More than half of Selma's homes predate 1980, so a pump added later may also have a pit or discharge line that needs work. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Selma.
Selma is a railroad town on I-95 next to Smithfield, with older housing: the median home was built in 1974 and about 55% predate 1980, per Census survey data. Neighborhoods in the Downtown and West Selma historic districts date from well before sump pits were common, so pumps there were usually added later. The town maintains 19 sewer lift stations and sends wastewater to Johnston County for treatment. Sump water is groundwater, and every gallon in a house drain has to move through those lift stations. Send it to the yard, on ground that slopes away from the foundation. Selma's main water system runs on town wells, and the separate Countyline system buys water from Johnston County; either way, the sump has its own job and shouldn't connect to the plumbing.
Steps to take now
- Power off first. If water is close to the pump's cord, switch off the breaker from a dry spot.
- Look for a trip. Reset a GFCI outlet or breaker once.
- Check the float. With power off, see if it's caught or tangled.
- Bail. Lower the water with a wet vacuum or buckets if it's close to overflowing.
- Check the cord. Older add-on pumps are sometimes on extension cords that come loose.
- Call. Describe what you've found.
Signs and likely causes
| Sign | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Pit full, pump silent | Lost power, stuck float or failed switch |
| Humming without pumping | Clogged intake or seized motor |
| Water drops back each cycle | Bad check valve |
| Rapid on-off cycles | Small or shallow pit, float set too low |
| Wet ground by the foundation | Discharge ending too close to the house |
Cost factors
- Part or full pump replacement
- Low crawl-space access in older homes
- Pit repair or replacement
- New discharge piping
- Backup pump and alarm
No Selma backflow program turned up in the research for this page. A water-powered backup connects to your drinking water and needs backflow protection, so ask the plumber what's required; a battery backup avoids the question. Outlying 27576 homes may be on private wells, where a water-powered unit won't work in an outage. Permits start with town zoning approval and then go to Johnston County Building Inspections.
Sump Pumps questions in Selma
Is it okay to send sump water into a floor drain or sewer cleanout?
My house sits on a crawl space. Is a sump pump worth having?
How do I keep water out of the pit when the power goes out?
What causes a sour or musty smell from the sump pit?
More plumbing services in Selma
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: