You shouldn’t have to check your basement every time it storms. A working sump pump means you sleep through the rain instead of running downstairs with a flashlight at 2 AM.
When your pump’s doing its job, water gets pushed out before it becomes a problem. Your foundation stays stable. Your belongings stay dry. And you’re not dealing with mold growth three weeks after a storm because standing water sat too long.
The difference between a maintained system and a failed one is about $25,000 in potential damage, according to FEMA estimates. That’s just from one inch of water. Most basement floods in Colfax, NC involve a lot more than an inch.
We started in the Greensboro area over 30 years ago. We built our reputation on indoor air quality work, but homeowners kept asking us about water problems because they understood the connection between moisture and air quality.
So we expanded into sump pump repair, sump pump installation, and French drain systems. Same standards, same response times, same team that shows up when you call.
Colfax sits in an area where heavy rain and high water tables make basement flooding a real risk. We’ve seen what happens when pumps fail during storms, and we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners avoid that scenario entirely.
First, we show up and assess what’s going on with your system. If it’s an emergency, we’re there fast because water doesn’t wait for business hours.
We check the pump itself, the discharge line, the pit, and the backup battery if you have one. Most failures come from clogged intake screens, worn impellers, or frozen discharge pipes in winter. We find the problem and tell you exactly what needs to happen.
If it’s a repair, we fix it on the spot when possible. If you need sump pump replacement, we install quality pumps with proper PVC piping and test everything before we leave. For new installations, we customize the setup based on your property’s drainage patterns and water sources.
You get a system that works when you need it. We make sure of that before we’re done.
Ready to get started?
You get a full system inspection, not just a quick look at the pump. We clean the sump pit, check for debris buildup, and test the float switch operation. If your discharge line has issues, we address those too.
North Carolina properties deal with specific challenges. Between 2000 and 2020, over 545,000 flood damage claims were filed by NC homeowners. Colfax’s proximity to Greensboro and the surrounding low-lying areas means your basement is at risk during heavy storms.
We install battery backup systems because power outages are the most common cause of pump failure during storms. When the power goes out, your pump still runs. We also handle French drain installation if your property needs better water diversion around the foundation.
Every job includes testing under actual operating conditions. We don’t just flip a switch and leave. You see it working before we pack up.
If your pump runs constantly, makes grinding noises, or doesn’t kick on when water enters the pit, something’s wrong. Those are the obvious signs.
Less obvious: your pump is over seven years old and hasn’t been maintained. Even well-maintained pumps wear out. The impeller gets damaged, the motor weakens, and efficiency drops. You might not notice until it fails during a storm.
If your basement has flooded even once with a pump installed, that’s a red flag. The pump either isn’t sized correctly for your water volume, or it’s not functioning properly. We can test it and tell you whether a repair makes sense or if you’re better off replacing it. Most homeowners in Colfax, NC are surprised to learn their pump is undersized for the amount of water their property deals with during heavy rain.
Power outages are the number one cause. Your pump runs on electricity, and storms knock out power. No power means no pump, even if the motor is perfect.
The second most common issue is overwhelming the system. If you get several inches of rain in a short period, an undersized pump can’t keep up. Water comes in faster than the pump moves it out, and your basement floods anyway.
Clogged discharge lines are another culprit, especially in winter. The pipe freezes, water backs up, and the pump burns out trying to push against a blockage. We see this regularly in the Colfax area when temperatures drop after heavy rain. Regular sump pump maintenance catches these issues before they become emergencies, but most people don’t think about their pump until it’s too late.
Repairs typically run a few hundred dollars depending on what’s broken. A new float switch or cleaning out a clogged pit is straightforward. If the motor’s shot, you’re looking at replacement.
Sump pump installation for a new system ranges from around $800 to $2,500 depending on the pump quality, whether you need a battery backup, and how much work is involved in setting up the pit and discharge line. Custom drainage solutions cost more if your property has complicated water flow issues.
Here’s the real number that matters: the average insurance payout for water damage is nearly $14,000. FEMA says two inches of water causes over $26,000 in damage to your home and belongings. Spending $1,500 on a proper installation is a lot cheaper than dealing with a flooded basement. We give you a clear estimate upfront so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
If you want your pump to work during the storms that are most likely to flood your basement, yes. Think about when basements flood—during severe weather that knocks out power.
A battery backup system keeps your pump running when the power’s out. It’s not a luxury feature. It’s the difference between a dry basement and several inches of water while you’re waiting for the power company to restore service.
Most homeowners in Colfax, NC don’t have backup systems installed. Then they call us after a storm has already flooded their basement, and they’re looking at thousands in water damage plus the cost of the backup system they should have had in the first place. The backup costs a fraction of what one flood will cost you. We install them as part of new systems or add them to existing setups.
At least once a year, ideally before storm season. Your pump sits idle most of the time, then you need it to work perfectly during the worst possible conditions. Annual maintenance catches problems before they become failures.
We test the float switch, clean the pit, check the discharge line, and make sure the pump actually moves the volume of water it’s supposed to. Debris builds up over time. Parts wear out. The check valve can fail. These aren’t things you’d notice until the pump doesn’t turn on when it should.
If your area has seen increased rainfall or if you’ve had any water in your basement, get it checked sooner. Colfax properties with high water tables should consider twice-yearly inspections. Sump pit cleaning is part of regular maintenance and prevents clogs that burn out motors. Spending a small amount on maintenance beats spending thousands on emergency sump pump repair during a storm.
It depends on where the water’s coming from. Sump pumps handle groundwater that comes up through the floor or seeps through foundation walls. They’re extremely effective at that specific job.
But if you have water coming from multiple sources—surface runoff, poor grading around your foundation, or inadequate drainage—you might need more than just a pump. That’s where French drains and other drainage solutions come in. They redirect water away from your foundation before it becomes a basement problem.
We assess your specific situation and tell you what you actually need. Some Colfax properties need only a properly sized pump and regular maintenance. Others need a combination of sump pump installation and exterior drainage work to handle water from all sources. We don’t upsell you on services that won’t solve your problem. We fix what’s actually causing water in your basement.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Colfax
