Well, you’d better catch it
A sump pump that keeps running continuously signals a stuck float switch, which prevents the pump from turning off when water levels drop.
Typical costs range from $400 to $550 for professional sump pump repairs, so addressing the issue early helps avoid higher replacement costs.
Your discharge pipe needs checking for clogs or frozen water that trap water and prevent your sump pump from cycling down properly.
Hiring a local sump pump repair professional provides reliable help with float switch adjustments and discharge pipe blockages, keeping your basement dry.
Even if you’re an avid runner, you take breaks regularly, and the same could be said for your sump pump. It’s designed to detect and remove excess water and prevent flooding in your home, but constant running is a sign that something is off. Whether a part has malfunctioned or your sump pump is underpowered, continuous running can cause premature wear and reduce the life span of your unit. Learn about why your sump pump isn't working properly and what may cause your sump pump to overwork.
All sump pumps have a float, which is a lightweight sensor that’s designed to float upward with a rising water level. Once the sensor mechanism is activated at a set water level, it triggers the float switch to turn the pump on.
The float can sometimes get stuck, tangled in other cords, or pinned against the wall of the basin. This leads to getting jammed in place, which means it won’t be able to deactivate the pump once the water level goes down. When the float gets stuck, it usually presents as either your pump constantly running or cycling on and off in quick succession. If this issue persists, it can cause undue wear on the pump, and it may fail to activate altogether the next time your basement faces flooding.
To fix this issue, you may be able to simply detangle the float from debris or wires so that it can move properly again. You may also need to replace the float switch if the pump’s cycle is thrown off, but these can sometimes be so specific or costly that it may be more cost-effective to replace the sump pump altogether.
The water that your sump pump processes has to go through the discharge pipe to remove it from your home. Debris and sediment can sometimes clog the discharge pipe, trapping water and preventing the sump pump’s water from going down. If you live in a cold climate, water can also freeze in the discharge pipe.
In either case, these issues can overwork and damage your sump pump as it deals with a water level that won’t go down. In some cases, it may even overflow and lead to flooding. Take note of signs of a clogged pipe, such as unpleasant odors from your plumbing system, stains around drains, and gurgling sounds from sinks or tubs.
You may be able to use a plunger or drain snake to unclog the sump pump, but you shouldn’t use any liquid drain cleaners. If the discharge pipe is frozen, simply adding hot water to the line can be enough to slowly melt the blockage. If the blockage persists after these steps, a local sump pump repair person can help remedy the problem.
The check valve is a one-way valve that prevents backflow and flooding from the sump pump and allows water to be pushed outside your home. With wear and tear, the check valve may eventually fail or get moved out of place, causing the water level in the sump pump pit to rise and making the pump run more often or continuously. Besides overworking and potentially limiting the life span of the pump, this can also drive your energy costs up.
You can usually tell if your check valve is working by checking for leaks from connections, seals, and other components. Watch for water backwash in the sump pump basin during heavy rainfall or periodic testing, which involves partially filling the sump pump pit with water.
Replacing a check valve can be enough to get your pump working again, and it’s a fairly straightforward task. Install the replacement with ring clamps to hold it in place, making sure that the valve is positioned to push water out of the discharge pipe.
If your sump pump is undersized or underpowered in relation to the amount of water you have coming in, it won’t be able to discharge water at the same rate that it receives it. This means the sump pump works longer and harder than it’s designed to.
Keep in mind that a one-off event, such as a rainstorm uncharacteristic of your area, doesn’t necessarily mean that your sump pump is undersized. If a storm is the culprit, there may be other reasons your sump pump runs continuously after heavy rain. To check if your sump pump is appropriately sized, monitor the water levels during a moderately rainy day.
If your sump pump is struggling to handle everyday conditions or seasonally common weather, it might be time to replace it with a beefier unit. Even if you pay more up front for a new unit, it won’t overwork as much and should have a longer life span, which means you won’t have to pay for a replacement as often.
Some sump pumps feature an inlet screen that’s designed to filter out debris and prevent the motor from clogging. The inlet screen itself can get clogged, however, and water won’t be able to flow in and out of the pump. If the inlet screen becomes entirely clogged, the pump won’t work at all, and its motor will burn out faster.
To fix the issue, disconnect the sump pump’s power source, remove the sump pump from the pit, and carefully clean the inlet screen. Once you’re done, return the sump pump to the pit, reconnect it, and turn it on again.
An impeller is a motorized fan that helps cycle water through the sump pump and into the discharge pipe. If it isn’t working properly, you may hear constant vibrating, grinding, or other strange noises. You may also notice other abnormalities, such as low water flow, low water pressure, and slow-moving pump water.
The impeller may just need minor repairs, but worn down or broken blades point to replacing the part altogether. Making this repair requires you to remove the sump pump from the pit, but you can also ask a local plumbing professional to assist.
According to data from Angi, about 58% of homeowners want to repair their sump pumps within 1 to 2 days, and another 26% want the work done within 2 weeks, highlighting that most of these requests are emergencies or very urgent. Roughly 13% of homeowners were unsure or still in the planning and budgeting process, while only 3% could wait more than 2 weeks.
Finished Basements Plus was wonderful from beginning to end! First, they came out quickly for an estimate. I had 4 estimates and theirs was by far the best. (2 of the estimates were more than $20K higher than for the exact same work). Beyond their fair pricing, the work was excellent. They...
Finished Basements Plus Inc.Amazing job. Efficient and quick without compromising quality. Basement feels brand new. Would use them again in a heartbeat.
AffordaPro RestorationWindow Depot did an amazing job installing the windows in my basement! The process from start to finish was by far more than what I expected. I would highly recommend Window Depot if you want professionalism from the the consultation to the installation. Dont settle for mediocre when you can...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThey cleaned my very dirty basement. They were prompts, quick, thorough and their price was fair.
JDE House Cleaning LLCI am very pleased with the services performed by OTS. Bless my late Mother, but she was a bit of a pack-rat. The basement of her home was crammed with 40+ years of "stuff," and the other companies I contacted were concerned with possible mold contamination of the items due to the musty smell...
The company was very easy to work with. My family is now able to enjoy a space that at one point, only collected junk!!!! I feel like i have a whole new addition to the house!!! Wonderful work Blurock on our basement, will recommend!
BluRock Services, Inc.Excellent work. Opted for the service contract which provides spring and fall checkups and deduction on maintenance charges which seems to be a good value. Initial dehumidifier for our large basement was undersized. They replaced unit after it failed with a larger unit and charged only for...
Total Comfort Heating & Cooling IncWe had water in our basement and Roto Rooter was original contact to evaluate the situation. We were informed that our sewer main was fractured and needed repair. We received their estimate and then looked for counter offers. Ohio Basement Authority came with the best quote for the work. Once...
Ohio Basement AuthorityCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionThe crumbling basement wall needing repair is beneath a large 2 story porch. What i thought would be a complicated project was made very easy by this crew. I was very impressed with the speed and quality of the work performed. The job was finished in just a week as estimated. There were...
Ohio Basement AuthorityFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover how much sump pump installation costs, including average prices, key cost factors, and tips to save on your basement waterproofing project.
Sump pump replacement costs depend on the type of unit you have and the cost of labor, which varies by region. Read on to find out more about what to expect.
You may be concerned if you find your sump pump running constantly after heavy rainfall. Read up on possible reasons why your sump pump won’t shut off.
If something seems off with your sump pump, follow this guide to learn how to check if your sump pump is working (and what to do if it’s not).
Is water constantly running into your sump pit? We’ll break down 5 possible problems with your sump pump—and how to fix them.
Is your sump pump tripping the breaker? Explore five common causes and what you can do to get things back in working order.
