Falls Church has a lot of homes from before 1971, and many of their basements rely on a sump pump, an ejector or both. If water is coming up, cut power safely, move belongings and have a plumber look at the pump, the check valve and the sewer connection. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Falls Church.
About Falls Church
Falls Church is a small independent city where Route 29 and Route 7 meet, just inside the Beltway. The median home was built in 1971, and about half the homes are older than that. Fairfax Water supplies the water, and the City's Department of Public Works runs the sewer. The Falls Church mailing area spreads into Fairfax and Arlington counties, and those addresses follow county rules.
What to do now
- Make it safe. Turn off the basement circuit at the panel before stepping near water.
- Check the basics. Look for a tripped GFCI or a float stuck against the side of the pit.
- Protect the room. Lift rugs, boxes and electronics off the floor.
- Figure out the source. Clear groundwater points to the sump; sewage from a floor drain points to the ejector or the sewer line.
- Stop running water if sewage is involved, until the line is checked.
- Call for a plumber and describe what the pump is doing.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pump silent, water rising | Power problem, failed switch or dead motor |
| Pump hums only | Jammed impeller or blocked screen |
| Short, frequent cycles | Bad check valve or a low float setting |
| Sewage from a floor drain | Blocked lateral or sewer surcharge in a storm |
| Water at the walls, no pit | Older basement without interior drainage |
Cost factors
- Part repair versus pump replacement
- Sump pump or sewage ejector
- Adding a pit to an older basement
- A sewer backflow prevention device on the lateral
- Battery backup or alarm
- Permit fees and inspection through City Code Administration
- After-hours timing
One local option is worth knowing: the City of Falls Church runs a sewer Backflow Prevention Program that reimburses homeowners for a sewer backflow prevention device installed by a qualified plumber under a plumbing permit. If a floor drain has ever pushed up sewage during a storm, ask the plumber about it, and check the City's program page for the current terms before the work is scheduled so the paperwork lines up with the permit. Permits inside city limits go through the City's Department of Code Administration, 703-248-5080.
Sump Pumps questions in Falls Church
Is there help paying for a sewer backflow preventer?
Do I need a permit to replace or add a sump pump?
What is the difference between a sump pump and a sewage ejector pump?
The pit is overflowing right now. What should I do?
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