Get the sump pump working again at an invited flood-prone Lumberton home

In a town the river has flooded twice in a decade, a dead sump pump is a quiet emergency. Many Lumberton pits hold pumps that failed years ago and never got replaced. Testing, repairing, or swapping the pump before the next tropical rain is direct flood defense. Standard: FEMA flood mitigation guidance (sump systems); SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Proof: photos of the serviced pit plus a passing full-pit pump test Method (FEMA flood mitigation guidance (sump systems); SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).): 1. Confirm the host's invitation and test the existing pump by filling the pit with water. 2. Clear debris from the pit and check the float, check valve, and discharge line. 3. Repair or replace the pump like-for-like per the manufacturer's manual. 4. Re-test with a full pit and confirm discharge exits away from the foundation. 5. Photograph the pit before, the work, and the passing test, GPS-tagged and dated. Done when: photos of the serviced pit plus a passing full-pit pump test

Where

Invited homes near W 8th St, Lumberton, NC 28358

Pay

$440 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

photos of the serviced pit plus a passing full-pit pump test

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-18

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–120 minutes. Method of record: Existing-home envelope + drainage maintenance (gutter/downspout clearing, weep-screed and foundation-vent clearance, minor exterior envelope-crack sealing, dryer-vent lint clearance) — the entry-rung DIY-safe maintenance that keeps a home dry, pest-excluded and ready for the LBC Energy/Water petal work above it. DOE Weatherization Assistance Program envelope-maintenance practice + CPSC dryer-vent fire-safety guidance. SDG 11.1 (adequate, safe housing). assess->clear/patch->verify

Bring

• ladder rated for gutter-line access (or a ground-level gutter-cleaning wand) + gloves
• garden hose or gutter scoop + bucket for downspout flush
• exterior-grade caulk/sealant + putty knife for minor envelope-crack sealing
• flexible dryer-vent brush kit + shop vacuum for lint clearance
• camera + GPS + tape measure

Steps

1. 1. ASSESS: photograph each gutter run, downspout outlet, foundation weep screed/vent, exterior crack, and dryer-vent termination as found (debris, growth, buried screed, crack width, lint buildup).
2. 2. Clear gutters and downspouts by hand or scoop, working from a stable ladder or ground-level tool; flush each downspout with water and redirect any outlet that discharges against the foundation to daylight at least 3 ft away.
3. 3. Clear vegetation, mulch and debris from weep screeds and foundation vents so the wall assembly can drain and breathe; clean and prep any minor exterior envelope crack (non-structural, hairline to 1/4 in) and seal it with an exterior-grade sealant matched to the substrate.
4. 4. Clear the dryer-vent duct run with a flexible brush kit from both the machine end and the exterior termination, and vacuum out the accumulated lint.
5. 5. VERIFY: photograph each item from the matching before-vantage, pour a test cup of water down each cleared downspout to confirm flow, and confirm the dryer-vent damper opens and closes freely.

If it does not match the plan

• Crack is wider than 1/4 in, stepped, or shows active movement -> STOP, do not seal, route to a licensed structural inspector.
• Gutter-line access requires a ladder above 2 stories or a steep/wet roof -> route to a licensed/insured gutter contractor instead of DIY.
• Weep screed or vent is buried under hardscape/grade that would require digging to expose -> document and route to a contractor rather than disturbing it.

What counts as done

• Before/after photo pairs for every gutter run, weep screed/vent, crack and vent termination worked
• Downspout water-flow test showing clear discharge routed away from the foundation
• Dryer-vent damper opens/closes freely after clearing, with a lint-removal photo
• No structural crack (wider than 1/4 in, stepped, or actively growing) sealed over — those route to a licensed inspector instead

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.