Most Lakewood sump pump calls come down to a sticking float, a worn check valve, a power problem or a motor near the end of its life. Because Lakewood's water and sewer service is split among many providers, it helps to know which district serves your address before you change the discharge or add a backup. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lakewood.
Lakewood homes and a patchwork of districts
Lakewood has no single water or sewer utility. Denver Water sells to nearly 20 providers inside the city, including the City of Lakewood's own water utility, and sewer comes from Lakewood Water and Sewer Utility or one of many sanitation districts such as Northwest Lakewood, East Lakewood, Daniels and Wheat Ridge Sanitation. Your bill names yours. Whichever it is, a sanitary sewer is built for what drains from sinks and toilets, so a sump line tied into a basement drain or cleanout should be moved outside.
The housing is older than you might guess for a suburb. Census survey figures for the city put the median build year at 1977, with about 56% of homes built before 1980. A basement from that era can hold a pump that has been replaced once or twice, or an original basin with a discharge that empties right against the foundation.
Repair, replace or back it up
| What you see | Likely direction | Lakewood note |
|---|---|---|
| Float hangs up or check valve leaks back | Replace that part | Reasonable if the motor still sounds healthy |
| Motor hums, overheats or trips the breaker | New pump | Common in basins that have run for many years |
| Pump works but power outages worry you | Battery backup | Works no matter which water district you are in |
| You want a backup with no battery | Water-powered unit | Needs backflow protection; ask your district about testing |
| Pump falls behind in a downpour | Check the setup first | Gutters, grading or a long discharge run may be the real issue |
Warning signs
- A full pit and a quiet pump
- Long run times with little water leaving
- Rapid on-off cycling
- Water sliding back into the basin after shutoff
- Efflorescence or damp spots on basement walls
Timing and seasons
Spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms are when a weak pump gets exposed, so a dry week in late winter is a smart time to test it. In cold snaps, check that the outdoor discharge has not frozen shut. If the job grows into new piping or a new basin, most plumbing work in Lakewood needs a permit from the City of Lakewood Building Department, and the plumber can handle that through the city's eTRAKiT portal.
Sump Pumps questions in Lakewood
Who do I call if water is coming up through a floor drain instead?
Should I buy a bigger pump if mine can't keep up?
How many years does a sump pump usually last?
Where is the best place for sump discharge to empty?
More plumbing services in Lakewood
Sump Pumps nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: