Vienna's housing is older than most of the surrounding area, and many of its basements depend on a sump pump that may be undersized for a finished space or near the end of its life. A plumber can test it, repair it or replace it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Vienna.
My Vienna house is from the 1960s or 1970s. Is the pump up to the job?
Vienna is an established Fairfax County town about 12 miles west of Washington, and its median home was built in 1971. Many of those houses have basements that were finished long after construction, sometimes without any change to the drainage underneath. A pump sized for an unfinished storage room can struggle once the space below is carpeted and furnished, because the cost of a failure is suddenly much higher. If your pump runs constantly in wet weather, cycles rapidly or has ever let water reach the floor, it is worth having a plumber check its capacity, the check valve and the discharge route.
Who handles a sewer backup in Vienna?
It depends on the address. The Town of Vienna runs its own water and sewer system within its sewer service area, and Vienna-addressed homes outside that area are on Fairfax County Wastewater. Inside the Town's area, call Water and Sewer customer service at 703-255-6385; after hours, the Town directs callers to the Vienna police non-emergency line, 703-255-6366. On County sewer, the 24-hour line is 703-323-1211. Either way, the sewer is for household wastewater, so a sump discharge should go outside.
What permits apply?
Fairfax County Land Development Services handles plumbing permits through its PLUS system, and projects inside town limits also need separate approval from the Town of Vienna, uploaded to the PLUS record. A pump swap is usually simpler than adding an ejector, a new pit or new drain piping. If a water-powered backup is on the table, remember it connects to your drinking water supply, so ask about backflow protection; a battery backup avoids the issue.
Local note
The Vienna postal area, ZIPs 22180 through 22182, extends well beyond town limits. Check your water and sewer bill to see whether the Town or Fairfax County serves your home before you call about a backup. The same boundary decides whether Town approval is part of the permit process, so it is worth knowing before any new piping, pit or ejector work begins. The plumber you are connected with can help you sort out which rules apply to your street.
Sump Pumps questions in Vienna
Sewage is coming up through a basement drain. Who do I call first?
Do I need a permit to replace or add a sump pump?
Should I repair the old pump or replace it?
Where should the discharge line end up?
More plumbing services in Vienna
Sump Pumps nearby
Sources
Last updated: