About two-thirds of Derwood's homes were built in the 1980s, so many basement sump pumps, pits and check valves here have been in service for decades. When one quits, it is usually the switch, valve, motor or a blocked discharge. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Derwood.
Derwood is a suburban community just north of Rockville near the Shady Grove Metro, with a median home built in 1985. Builders of that era routinely put a sump pit in the basement, and the original basins and fittings are often still in place even if the pump has been swapped. WSSC Water provides public water and sewer here, and its emergency line for water or sewer problems is 301-206-4002.
What to do now
- Switch off power to any basement outlet near water.
- Reset the GFCI outlet and confirm the pump is plugged in.
- Lift the float gently to see whether the pump starts.
- Check the outdoor discharge for leaves, ice or a disconnected pipe.
- If the pump is dead and water is rising, bail or wet-vac the pit.
- Call a plumber before the water reaches the furnace or water heater.
Symptom table
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pump will not turn on | Tripped outlet or failed float switch |
| Hums but does not pump | Jammed impeller or seized motor |
| Runs nonstop | Float stuck or heavy groundwater inflow |
| Water flows back in | Failed check valve |
| Wet spots by the wall | Drain tile clogged or discharge too close to the house |
| Bad smell | Unsealed pit or dry nearby floor drain |
What shapes the price
- Single part repair or complete replacement
- A replacement basin and sealed lid if the original is cracked
- Rerouting the discharge away from the foundation
- Battery backup or a high-water alarm
- A water-powered backup, which needs backflow protection and annual testing by a WSSC-certified cross-connection technician if it is a testable assembly
- WSSC Water permit work for new pits or ejector pumps
Plumbing permits in Derwood come from WSSC Water Permit Services and building permits from Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services. A simple pump swap usually needs neither, but cutting a new pit, adding an ejector for a basement bath or running new drain piping often does, and the plumber can file it.
Because so many Derwood homes were built in the same decade, pumps and check valves on a street tend to fail around the same time. If you are replacing a pump that has run for many years, ask the plumber to look at the basin, the lid seal and the discharge path while the pit is open. Fixing those at once usually costs less than a second visit after the next storm.
Sump Pumps questions in Derwood
How do I test my sump pump?
What should I do if the pit is overflowing right now?
Can my sump pump drain into the sewer, a floor drain or the laundry sink?
What does a high-water alarm do?
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