sump pump issue?
#1
06-26-13, 11:42 PM
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: USA
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sump pump issue?
Just finished the basement, and have some concerns about my sump pump not coming on all of the time like it should. I just replaced the float switch on it before I sealed the basin up, and it was working just fine for a few days until recently. It seems that I have to nudge the pipe every so often to get the pump to start working automatically.
Just to give you a little background on the house, it was built in 2009, and came with the sump pump. The sump pump did not work for a whole year before I replaced the float switch on it, and my basement never flooded once during that time. Not sure on the model of the Sump Pump, but I remember it being a green Zoeler. With the huge investment in the basement, I'm a little worried. The pump comes on about every 5 minutes when it rains, and after I give it a nudge of course. . .but even if I wasn't there to nudge it, the water never over flows into the basement. Does this mean I have a low water table? Is there still reason to worry??
Just to give you a little background on the house, it was built in 2009, and came with the sump pump. The sump pump did not work for a whole year before I replaced the float switch on it, and my basement never flooded once during that time. Not sure on the model of the Sump Pump, but I remember it being a green Zoeler. With the huge investment in the basement, I'm a little worried. The pump comes on about every 5 minutes when it rains, and after I give it a nudge of course. . .but even if I wasn't there to nudge it, the water never over flows into the basement. Does this mean I have a low water table? Is there still reason to worry??
#2
06-27-13, 12:45 AM
Group Moderator
if I wasn't there to nudge it, the water never over flows into the basement. Does this mean I have a low water table?
Yes there's a reason to worry. You just replaced the float switch and it's operating intermittently. I would get to the bottom of that issue ASAP unless you plan to sit there and nudge the pipe to start the pump.
#3
06-27-13, 04:12 AM
Member
If it's a pedistal pump (which it doesn't sound like it is), I would say that the rod/float is getting hung up on one of the sides. Mine pump wasn't sitting very level when I first bought the house and the rod/float would eventually creep to the one side and get hung up.
Unfortunately if it is a submersable (which it sounds to be), I don't have any experience with them.
Unfortunately if it is a submersable (which it sounds to be), I don't have any experience with them.
#4
06-28-13, 12:38 PM
Member
what type of switch is it? my old pump with a pressure switch used to act this way. water would keep rising until you gave it a nudge to cause the diaphram to close. not good.
pressure switches are bad news. if you have one, replace it with a good vertical float switch (like an SJE Rhombus). and yes, you need a functional switch. don't assume your water table will keep the water level low in the pit.
pressure switches are bad news. if you have one, replace it with a good vertical float switch (like an SJE Rhombus). and yes, you need a functional switch. don't assume your water table will keep the water level low in the pit.
#5
06-28-13, 09:08 PM
Join Date: Feb 2013
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It looks like a float switch. It has a float attached to the side of it. Here is a link to the model of my sump pump, or so it would appear. Zoeller M57 Automatic Mighty Mate 1/3 hp Sump Pump - Dirt Cheap Faucets
The weird thing about my situation, is no matter how fast the pit fills, or how hard it rains, the pit never rises above 50%. Like I mentioned before, The Sump Pump went a whole year without working, and I never had an issue. Not that I'm trying to justify not having a sump pump or anything, it just doesn't make sense. . The sump pit has two pipes running into the pit, with only one of them that drips water into it when it rains. The other pipe doesn't drip anything into it, and the water level in the pit never reaches it. Where is all of this water draining off to when my sump pump is not working??
The weird thing about my situation, is no matter how fast the pit fills, or how hard it rains, the pit never rises above 50%. Like I mentioned before, The Sump Pump went a whole year without working, and I never had an issue. Not that I'm trying to justify not having a sump pump or anything, it just doesn't make sense. . The sump pit has two pipes running into the pit, with only one of them that drips water into it when it rains. The other pipe doesn't drip anything into it, and the water level in the pit never reaches it. Where is all of this water draining off to when my sump pump is not working??
#6
06-28-13, 09:17 PM
Group Moderator
Every area has a natural water table. When it rains the water table rises as does your sump pit and then the water level settles back down. It depends on a lot of things..... average terrain nearby water sources.
You have two lines feeding into your pit. One could be from the drainage loop around the inside of your basement and the other could be from a loop around the outside of the house.
You have two lines feeding into your pit. One could be from the drainage loop around the inside of your basement and the other could be from a loop around the outside of the house.
