Why does sump pump run continuously

MORE : When is liability coverage included in a homeowners policy? Unless there's been heavy rains or your pump is located well below the water table beneath the basement floor, there's little reason for a sump pump to run continuously for a prolonged period. When a sump pump runs for a long time under non-rainy conditions, it may signal of a mechanical problem, such as:. You can hire a plumber who can check out your sump pump and determine if one of these problems exists.

Then, you can decide if repairing or replacing the sump pump is the best solution. Another issue that that may cause a sump pump to run continuously is a plumbing break. After all, a sump pump in good condition will run as long as it can continuously for as long as there is water to remove from your home.

Sump pumps can last 10 years or more, but many manufacturers recommended pump replacement every five years. Intermittent or continuous: Unless you reside in a high-flood risk area or experience seasonal high rains, there's little need for a continuous-duty sump pump motor.

Thermal protection: This additional feature detects when a pump motor gets too hot, initiating shutoff to protect the motor from burning out. Horsepower: A pump with higher horsepower can handle greater demands, which can prevent mechanical failures. When replacing a sump pump, proper installation is vital. So, unless you're skilled in plumbing and basic mechanics, it's best to leave the job to a professional instead of trying to save some money with a DIY attempt.

A sump pump professional can verify the selected device is appropriate to your needs and ensure things like properly grounded electricity and sloped discharge lines that prevent clogs. It's better to spend more up front to do the job right, which will save money down the road, prolong the life of your sump pump, and avoid the dangers of sump pump failure. MORE : Does homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on a neighbor's house?

If there's no water to pump, you should not leave a sump pump running. If you notice this behavior, get a plumber to identify the problem. Sump pumps that run when they're not supposed to can became faulty. It's normal for sump pumps to run two to three days after heavy rain. There is a lot of groundwater for the pump to filter out over time. However, if it takes longer, start investigating if the pump is actually still draining water. If your sump pump runs non-stop and struggles to pump out water , you likely have one of the following problems:.

If your sump pump is too small, your system will have trouble pumping water out of the pit as quickly as water is coming in. And when that happens, your sump pump will run much longer than it should. You see, sump pumps are sized according to how many gallons of water per hour GPH they can pump out of the sump pit.

The higher the GPH, the faster the device can pump out water. Calculate your sump pump capacity needs. Follow the 3 steps below. Note: the steps below only offer rule-of-thumb calculations. Only a professional plumber can offer precise sump pump measurements. If you notice that the water inside the pit is not rising and falling on a regular basis like in this video , have a professional inspect the system to ensure that your sump pump is sized correctly. Once a sump pump is activated, water is pulled into the pump via a motor.

But the screen itself often gets clogged with dirt or debris. Which means your sump pump will run continuously as it struggles to get rid of the water. Discharge pipes are usually made of PVC piping, which, over time, suffer from normal wear and tear, resulting in leaks along the line. Instead, it will drip out along the line and right back to the sump pump pit. Which means your sump pump will run non-stop as it tries to empty the pit.

What to do: Visually inspect the discharge line. If you see any cracks or see water dripping back down along the line, have a professional replace the discharge line. But if the valve is clogged or has gone bad, water will rush right back into the pit, forcing your sump pump to work constantly with no results. A sump pump impeller is a motorized fan-like device that draws water into the pump as it spins. The spinning motion of the impeller also helps to push that water up through the discharge pipe.

This causes your sump pump to continue working. If the pump is too small or insufficiently powerful, it has to work continuously to remove water that rises in the liner. Similarly, if the liner is too small, it fills with water more quickly, causing the pump to work more frequently. The sump pit is dirty and filled with debris. In some cases, there is a high water table or underground spring that is feeding water continuously into the sump pit.

Follow these steps: Open your sump pump. Check to see if the float switch is pinned against the liner. You can purchase one at a hardware store or online. Unplug the old switch and remove it. Replace it with the new switch. This ensures it can float up and down with the water level.