Reston's tree-covered lots, lakes and 1970s-to-1990s houses mean plenty of basements rely on a sump pump to stay dry. If the pit is rising and the pump is not, cut the power safely, protect what you can and get a plumber to check the float, check valve and motor. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston at a glance
Reston is a planned community in unincorporated Fairfax County, founded in 1964 and built around village centers such as Lake Anne and South Lakes, four man-made lakes and a heavy tree canopy. The median home was built in 1983. Fairfax Water supplies the water, and Fairfax County Wastewater Management runs the public sewer, with the property owner responsible for the private lateral.
What to do right now
- Stay out of standing water near power. Switch off the basement circuit at the panel before you go near the pit.
- Check the obvious. Look for a tripped GFCI, a loose plug or a float wedged against the side of the basin.
- Lift things off the floor. Move boxes, rugs and electronics away from the pit and low corners.
- Stop using water if sewage is involved. If a floor drain is pushing up wastewater, hold off on laundry, showers and flushing.
- Report a sewer backup. Fairfax County's 24-hour line, 703-323-1211, checks the public main when sewage backs up with nothing running.
- Call for a plumber. Note whether the pump hums, clicks or makes no sound at all.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you see or hear | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Silent pump, full pit | Tripped outlet, failed switch or burned-out motor |
| Humming, no water moving | Jammed impeller or clogged intake screen |
| Rapid on-off cycling | Float set too low or a check valve letting water fall back |
| Runs constantly in dry weather | High groundwater, a stuck switch or a leak feeding the pit |
| Ice at the outdoor outlet | Frozen discharge line in a cold snap |
| Sewage odor near the basin | Dry trap, open pit or an ejector problem |
What shapes the cost
- Repairing a switch or valve versus installing a new pump
- Sump pump or sewage ejector, which takes more labor and parts
- Pit condition, including silt, roots or a broken liner
- Moving the discharge so it no longer feeds back toward the foundation
- A battery backup or high-water alarm
- Any Fairfax County Land Development Services permit for new piping
- Storm-night or weekend timing
A plumber can usually tell you on the first visit whether the pump is worth fixing. Pumps that have run hard through several wet seasons on a shaded, damp Reston lot often wear faster than the label suggests.
Sump Pumps questions in Reston
Why does my pump keep running when it has not rained?
What is the difference between a sump pump and a sewage ejector pump?
The pit is overflowing right now. What should I do?
Why does the sump pit smell?
More plumbing services in Reston
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: