If a Black Hawk sump pump is losing ground, cut its power safely, free the float and check the outdoor end of the discharge, which in a steep canyon may be frozen or buried. Most failures trace to a stuck switch, a leaky check valve, a power issue or a worn motor. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Black Hawk.
Black Hawk basics
Black Hawk is a former gold-mining settlement known as the City of Mills, now a small casino town of restored historic buildings along North Clear Creek, sharing a National Historic District with Central City. Buildings tucked into the canyon and Gregory Gulch can take on water during spring runoff, and long, shaded winters freeze discharge lines. The City of Black Hawk Water Department supplies drinking water to the entire city. No sewer provider was confirmed in our research, so check your utility bill for who handles wastewater. Wherever it goes, a sanitary sewer is for household wastewater, so pit water belongs outside on ground that slopes away from the building.
What to do right now
- Kill the power at the panel if water is near the outlet.
- Check the float. Silt and debris from runoff can pin it.
- Find the outdoor end. Clear ice, snow or rock from the outlet.
- Watch a cycle. Water rushing back into the pit after shutoff means a failed check valve.
- Move stored items off the floor.
- Call a plumber if the pump hums, overheats or will not run.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Silent with water in the pit | Power loss, pinned float or failed switch |
| Runs but the outlet is dry | Frozen or blocked discharge |
| Short, rapid cycles | Tight float setting or leaking check valve |
| Runs during dry, frozen weeks | Return flow or a supply-line leak |
| Silt building up in the basin | Runoff carrying fine material into the pit |
Cost factors
- A part repair versus a new pump
- Cleaning or replacing a silted basin
- Re-sloping or insulating a discharge on a steep lot
- Battery backup or high-water alarm
- Access in an older or commercial building
- Freeze protection where the outlet sits in shade most of the winter
In an older building, a pump may have been added long after construction with a discharge routed wherever was easiest, so the plumber will look at the whole setup, not just the motor.
No city backflow program was found, so if you want a water-powered backup on City water, ask the plumber what protection it needs and check with the Water Department. The City contracts SAFEbuilt for Building Division services, and permit questions go to cpdinquiry@cityofblackhawk.org; plumbing permits were not listed specifically, so the plumber can confirm.
Sump Pumps questions in Black Hawk
What should I do if the sump pit is overflowing right now?
What keeps a sump discharge line from freezing in a Colorado winter?
Why does the sump pit smell?
Is a battery backup or a water-powered backup better for my house?
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