Poolesville runs its own water and sewer systems instead of WSSC Water, and some properties in and around town use private wells and onsite systems, which shapes where sump water can go and which backup pump makes sense. A failed pump usually has a power, float, valve or discharge problem. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Poolesville.
Poolesville is a small historic town in western Montgomery County, surrounded by the County's Agricultural Reserve. The Town supplies water from its own groundwater wells and treats sewage at its own wastewater plant on Beall Street. The County's water and sewer plan lists service here as Town and onsite systems, so some nearby homes rely on a private well and onsite wastewater system instead.
Steps to take now
- Turn off the breaker for basement circuits near water.
- Check the pump plug and reset the GFCI.
- Free a stuck float and listen for the motor.
- Look outside for a frozen, buried or crushed discharge outlet.
- If wastewater is backing up in town, call the Town's water and sewer emergency numbers, 240-286-3389 or 240-286-3359.
- If your home is on an onsite system, hold off on laundry and long showers until the cause is clear.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pump dead, pit rising | Power loss, failed switch or motor |
| Pump runs, level stays high | Clogged intake or blocked discharge |
| Water drops back after shutoff | Worn or missing check valve |
| Constant cycling | Low float setting or small basin |
| Sewage in a floor drain | Lateral clog or a Town sewer problem |
| Ice at the outlet | Discharge line not draining in cold weather |
Cost factors
- Repairing a part versus replacing the pump
- Pit condition and whether it needs a sealed lid
- Discharge length and grade on larger lots
- A battery backup, which suits homes on Town water and private wells alike
- A water-powered backup, which ties into the Town's drinking water and needs backflow protection; ask the Town about its requirements
- Permits: plumbing permits through WSSC Water Permit Services, building permits through Town Hall
When you call
The number on this page connects you with an independent plumber who works in Poolesville and the surrounding area. Say whether your home is on Town water and sewer or on a private well and onsite system, whether water is rising right now and whether the pit handles groundwater or wastewater. For a leak or break on the Town side, staff can shut the valve at the street connection, though the Town notes an after-hours call-out fee. Anything inside your foundation, including the pump, pit and discharge, is yours to fix with a plumber. Shut off power to circuits near water before going into the basement.
Sump Pumps questions in Poolesville
Can a sump pump empty into a private onsite wastewater system?
Who do I call if sewage is coming up through the basement floor drain?
Does a water-powered backup pump need backflow protection?
What happens to the discharge line in a hard freeze?
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