Guide
Sump pumps and basement water in Bowie
A sump pump moves water from a pit in the basement floor to the outside. It does not stop water from getting to the pit.
Give your ZIP code and say what happened. Calling soon after you find the water helps.
Where the pump sends the water
Where the discharge goes matters to the neighbors and to the sewer system. WSSC's plumbing code governs sewer connections in its service area, so ask WSSC before piping a sump pump into a sewer line.
Before changing a discharge line, ask WSSC or the county permit office what is allowed at your address.
When the pump is not the problem
Prince George's County's page on water in basements is the county's starting point for basement water. A pump that runs constantly may be coping with surface water that a clogged drain or a poor grade keeps sending toward the foundation.
Sewage backing up through a floor drain is a separate problem. A sump pump does nothing for it, and it is handled through the utility.
Insurance and sump pump overflow
Policies often leave out damage from a sump pump overflow or a sewer backup unless an added endorsement covers it. Ask your insurer or agent whether yours has one and what it pays for.
The sump pump overflow wording is worth finding in your policy before a storm. The insurance guide lists the other lines the regulator describes.
Water still running or standing?
Call and say where the water is and what caused it. You will be connected with an independent restoration contractor taking calls for your ZIP code.