Temple Hills was built mainly from the 1950s through the 1970s, so many basements here rely on sump pumps and pits that are decades old. If the pit is rising or the pump has gone quiet, a few quick steps can protect the room while you get help. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Temple Hills.
Temple Hills is a mostly residential community of garden apartments, duplexes and single-family neighborhoods near the Green Line and Joint Base Andrews. The median home was built in 1973. The Temple Hills mailing address covers more ground than the community itself, and nearby Marlow Heights and Hillcrest Heights have houses of the same era, many still with their original drain tile around the footings.
Steps to take right away
- If water is near outlets, cords or a furnace, turn off that circuit at the panel before going down.
- Check whether the pump is plugged in and whether its outlet has tripped. Reset once only.
- Look for a float caught on the pit wall or on the pump cord and free it with a stick.
- Head outside and make sure the discharge pipe is attached and not frozen, crushed or buried.
- Pick up rugs, boxes and electronics from the floor.
- If the water smells like sewage, stop running water in the house until the line is checked.
What you see and what usually causes it
| What you see | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| No sound at all as the pit fills | No power, tripped outlet or dead motor |
| Pump runs but the level does not drop | Clogged intake, broken impeller or a blocked discharge |
| Clunk and backflow when it stops | Worn or missing check valve |
| Rapid on-off cycling | Float set too tight or a pit that is too small |
| Sewage in a basement bathroom | Ejector failure or a blocked sewer line |
What affects the cost
- Part repair compared with a new pump
- Upgrading an old, shallow basin
- Rerouting a discharge that drains back toward the house
- Sewage ejector work
- Battery backup or alarm
- After-hours and storm calls
WSSC Water provides sewer service here; for sewage overflowing from a manhole or the street, call 301-206-4002. Clear water in the pit, the pump and the discharge line are the owner's side. In duplexes and garden apartments, ask the landlord or association who looks after a shared pit. Plumbing permits in Prince George's County come from WSSC Water, and replacing an existing pump generally needs none, while new piping or an ejector for a basement bathroom does.
Sump Pumps questions in Temple Hills
What is the difference between a sump pump and a sewage ejector pump?
Should I repair an old pump or replace it?
Where should the discharge line end outside?
What does a high-water alarm do?
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