Mentone is a foothill community, and while most homes are on slabs, low lots and lower rooms sometimes rely on a sump pump. When one fails, the cause is usually a stuck float, a failed check valve, power loss, a frozen discharge or a worn motor. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Mentone.
Local conditions in Mentone
Mentone is an unincorporated community east of Redlands on the south bank of the Santa Ana River, and a gateway to the San Bernardino Mountains via SR-38. Foothill nights run colder than the valley floor, so an outdoor discharge pipe that holds water can freeze. Lots near the river or at the bottom of a slope may collect runoff in heavy winter storms.
The City of Redlands provides water to the Redlands and Mentone area. Some unincorporated Mentone parcels get Redlands water and sewer through out-of-agency service agreements approved case by case, so service varies by address, and not every property is necessarily on city sewer. Check your bill. Where a home is on Redlands sewer, that system is for household wastewater, and a sump pump should discharge outdoors.
If you are a Redlands water customer considering a water-powered backup, the City's Cross-Connection Control Plan requires every backflow assembly with active water service to be tested at least once a year by a certified tester acceptable to the City. A battery backup avoids that.
Backup choices
| Option | Strength | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Battery backup | Runs during outages and main pump failures | Battery must be replaced periodically |
| Water-powered backup | No battery to maintain | Needs a backflow assembly with annual testing on Redlands water |
| High-water alarm | Inexpensive early warning | Does not remove water |
Signs to watch
- Pit full after rain with a silent pump
- Ice at the end of the discharge pipe
- Humming with no flow
- Short, rapid run cycles
- Damp walls or floors in a lower room
Timing and permits
Test the pump in the fall, before winter storms and cold snaps. Clear silt from the basin and make sure the outdoor pipe slopes to drain. Mentone has no mayor or city council, so check with San Bernardino County about permits before changing plumbing. A plumber can help you sort out what the County requires.
When you call, mention whether your home is on Redlands water and sewer, where the pit sits and what the pump does when water comes in. If water is near the outlet, shut off that circuit at the panel and keep out of the water. If the discharge line is iced over, let the plumber know so they can plan for thawing or rerouting it rather than running the pump against a blockage.
Sump Pumps questions in Mentone
Can a discharge line freeze here?
Can I send sump water into a sewer cleanout or the laundry sink?
Do I need a permit to replace or add a pump?
What happens to the pump when the power goes out?
More plumbing services in Mentone
Sump Pumps nearby
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