If your Lone Tree sump pump is falling behind, cut power at the breaker, free the float and check the outdoor end of the discharge. Most failures trace to a faulty switch, a check valve that leaks, a tripped circuit or a worn motor. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lone Tree.
A quick Lone Tree primer
Lone Tree is a planned, newer city at the I-25 and C-470 junction, so most basements have a builder-installed pit. Which side of I-25 you live on decides your utilities: Southgate Water and Sanitation serves the west side, Parker Water and Sanitation District serves the east, and Northern Douglas County Water and Sanitation District serves part of Terra Ridge. In Southgate's area, owners own the private water service lines and sewer laterals serving their homes. In every district, sump water belongs outside, not in a floor drain or cleanout.
What to do now
- Kill the power at the panel if water is close to the pump's outlet.
- Look at the float. Make sure it moves freely and is not pinned by the cord or basin wall.
- Walk outside. Clear the discharge outlet of snow, ice, mulch or a pop-up emitter that has stuck shut.
- Test one cycle. If water rushes back into the basin when the pump stops, the check valve is bad.
- Protect the basement. Raise boxes, rugs and electronics.
- Call a plumber if the pump hums, smells hot or stays silent.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Silent with water in the basin | Power loss, pinned float or failed switch |
| Motor runs, nothing leaves | Clogged intake or a frozen or crushed discharge |
| Rapid start-stop | Short float travel or check valve leaking back |
| Runs on dry days | Return flow down the pipe or a supply-line leak |
| Puddles by the foundation | Outlet too close to the house |
Cost factors
- A part repair versus a replacement pump
- Pump capacity and quality, especially when replacing a builder unit
- Extending the discharge away from the house
- Battery backup, alarm or a second pump
- Backflow protection for a water-powered backup
- Permit work if plumbing changes
- Freeze protection for an outlet on the shaded north side of the house
The City of Lone Tree requires permits for any work on plumbing systems, including replacements, and lists sewer line repairs within the home as permit work, with applications submitted electronically through Accela. Clearing stoppages or fixing small leaks usually does not need one. The plumber can tell you where a pump job lands.
Sump Pumps questions in Lone Tree
What should I do if the sump pit is overflowing right now?
Can I pipe my sump pump water into the sewer cleanout or laundry drain?
Do I need a permit to replace a sump pump?
How many years does a sump pump usually last?
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