Fairfax Station homes, many from the 1970s through the 1990s, often sit on wooded lots with basements that need a dependable sump pump. When the pump stops, the usual causes are power, a stuck float, a failed check valve or a worn motor. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Fairfax Station.
Signs something is wrong
- Water in the basin and no sound from the pump
- A hum without any water leaving the pit
- Short bursts of running that never empty the basin
- Water falling back into the pit with a bang at shutoff
- Damp carpet, mildew or a musty smell in the lower level
- A pump that runs on and off for days after a storm
Fairfax Station conditions
Fairfax Station is a mostly residential, unincorporated community in southern Fairfax County that began in 1851 as a stop on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. The median home was built in 1982, so many original pumps have already been replaced once and the replacements are getting older too. Finished lower levels are common, and a failed pump in one can mean real damage to flooring, drywall and stored belongings.
Fairfax Water is the water provider for county residents. Homes on public sewer are on Fairfax County's Wastewater Management system, where the owner maintains the private lateral and the County's 24-hour line, 703-323-1211, checks the main during a backup. Sump water should go outdoors, not into a floor drain or the sewer.
A water-powered backup pump connects to Fairfax Water's supply. Fairfax Water's cross-connection program, run with Fairfax County Land Development Services, handles backflow assemblies; its cross-connection department is at 571-722-7653. A battery backup avoids that question. New piping or an ejector for a basement bath goes through Land Development Services in PLUS.
What changes the cost
- A float, switch or check valve versus a new pump
- Sump pump or sewage ejector work
- Pit cleanout or a new liner
- A longer discharge line across a sloped lot
- Battery backup or alarm
- Permit requirements for new piping
- Calls during storms or after hours
When you call
You will be connected with an independent plumber who serves Fairfax Station, and the conversation starts with a few practical questions. Explain how fast the water is coming in, what the pump sounds like and whether the space is finished. Switch off the basement circuit if water is near outlets. The plumber will test the pump and recommend a repair or replacement.
Sump Pumps questions in Fairfax Station
Does a water-powered backup pump need backflow protection?
How often should I test the pump?
What does a high-water alarm do?
Why does the discharge line freeze, and what helps?
More plumbing services in Fairfax Station
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