Most Colton homes are on slabs, so a sump pump usually protects a lower-level room, a low lot or a commercial pit. If yours has stopped, start with power, the float and the outdoor discharge, then bring in a plumber. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Colton.
Pumps in the Hub City
Colton runs its own water and wastewater utilities. The City operates more than 100 miles of sewer collection lines and its own treatment plant, built for household wastewater, so sump pump water belongs outdoors rather than in a cleanout or laundry sink. A sewage ejector serving a below-grade bathroom is different: it is meant to feed the sewer through a sealed, vented basin.
About half of Colton's homes were built before 1980, with a median year built of 1979 according to Point2Homes. In older houses, a pump added by a past owner may be piped in ways that no longer make sense, and a plumber can trace it. Commercial and industrial sites near Agua Mansa and along the rail corridor are more likely than houses to have pits for loading docks or equipment rooms, and those pumps deserve the same seasonal check.
What to do now
- If water is near the outlet or cord, switch off that circuit at the panel before going near the pit.
- Confirm the house has power, then reset a tripped GFCI outlet once.
- Lift the float gently with a dry stick to see if the motor runs.
- Check the outdoor discharge for a crushed or blocked end.
- If an ejector pit is backing up, stop using the fixtures that drain to it.
- If sewage is coming up from the City's side, Colton lists 909-370-5000 as its after-hours line for sewer blockages and other water and wastewater emergencies.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pit full, motor silent | No power, tripped GFCI, stuck float or burned-out motor |
| Motor hums with no flow | Clogged impeller or blocked discharge |
| Short, rapid cycles | Check valve failure or tight float setting |
| Pump never stops | Float stuck up or inflow beyond capacity |
| Sewage odor | Ejector basin seal or vent problem, or a dry floor drain trap |
Cost factors
- Part repair versus a new pump
- Sump pump or sewage ejector
- Basin, lid and discharge piping condition
- Backup pump or alarm
- Permits: the City of Colton's Building & Safety Division requires permits for replacing water or sewer lines and lists replacing fixtures on existing plumbing as not needing one. Its list does not name sump pumps, so ask the Division at (909) 370-5079 or let the plumber confirm what your job needs.
Sump Pumps questions in Colton
Do I need a permit to replace or add a pump?
Can I send sump water into a sewer cleanout or the laundry sink?
What should I do if the pit is overflowing during a storm?
Why does my pump switch on and off every few seconds?
More plumbing services in Colton
Sump Pumps nearby
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