Sump Pump in Accokeek, MD

Accokeek conditions

Accokeek was a rural tobacco-farming area on the Potomac in southern Prince George's County and is now mostly suburban. The median home here was built in 1997, newer than most of the county, so many pumps are original equipment from the build. West of Route 210, the Moyaone Reserve has individually designed mid-century homes on wooded lots of five acres or more, where long discharge runs and leaf-clogged outlets are common pump problems.

Water and sewer service varies by address in Accokeek. Many homes are on WSSC Water's public system, but on the larger lots it is worth confirming whether yours uses a private well or a private onsite wastewater system instead. That matters for two things: a water-powered backup only works with public water pressure, and sump water should never be sent into a private onsite system or the sewer. Check your bill, or ask the plumber to confirm what your house is tied into.

Choosing a fix

Warning signs

• The pump will not start when you lift the float
• It runs, but the pit refills almost immediately
• Leaves, roots or soil packed at the outdoor end of the pipe
• Dampness or a musty smell in the lower level

Seasonal timing

Fall leaf drop is the time to clear the outdoor end of the discharge, especially on wooded lots. Winter brings frozen lines, and spring thaws and rains test the pump hardest. Run a bucket test each spring, and again before the heavy thunderstorms of summer. Replacing an existing pump generally needs no permit in Prince George's County, but new piping, a new ejector or a gas or propane appliance is permitted and inspected by WSSC Water, which covers both natural gas and LP gas installations in the county.