If your Platteville sump pump has stopped keeping up, shut off its power safely, free the float and check the outdoor end of the discharge first. Most failures come from a stuck switch, a leaky check valve, a tripped circuit or a worn motor. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Platteville.
Platteville in brief
Platteville is a small Weld County farm town founded in 1871 after the Denver Pacific Railroad arrived, with roots in the Fort Vasquez trading post just south of town. The Town of Platteville bills for metered water it buys wholesale from Central Weld County Water District, and town utility bills include sewer fees. That sewer is for household wastewater, so a sump line that empties into a floor drain or laundry tub should be rerouted to the yard. No town backflow program was found, so if you want a water-powered backup, ask the plumber what protection it needs and check with the Town.
What to do right now
- Shut off the breaker if water is near the pump's outlet.
- Check the float. Make sure it rises freely and is not caught on the cord.
- Find the outdoor end. Clear ice, snow, dirt or a crushed section of pipe.
- Watch a cycle. Water rushing back into the pit when the pump stops means a bad check valve.
- Get things off the floor.
- Call a plumber if the pump hums, overheats or will not start.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Full pit, no motor sound | No power, a stuck float or a failed switch |
| Hums but no water moves | Jammed impeller, failed motor or frozen line |
| Starts and stops every few seconds | Tight float setting or leaking check valve |
| Runs without rain or melt | Return flow down the pipe or a leaking supply line |
| Water pooling at the foundation | Discharge too short or pointed back at the house |
What affects the cost
- A part repair versus a new pump
- Pump size and type
- Extending the discharge across a flat lot so water does not linger
- Freeze protection for an exposed outdoor run
- Battery backup or high-water alarm
- Replacing a cracked or silted basin
A pump that rarely runs through a dry plains winter can seize by spring, so a quick bucket test in late winter is worth the five minutes. Permit applications go to Platteville Town Hall (970-785-2245), with SAFEbuilt doing building inspections for the Town. The Town's page does not list which plumbing jobs need a permit, so the plumber can check if new piping is involved.
Sump Pumps questions in Platteville
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?
Is a battery backup or a water-powered backup better for my house?
How many years does a sump pump usually last?
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