Sump Pump Constantly Running? What You Need to Know

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.

1. Check the Float Switch

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.

How to Fix It

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.

2. Check for a Clogged Discharge Pipe

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.

How to Fix It

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.

3. See If Your Check Valve Is Working

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.

How to Fix It

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.

4. Make Sure You Have the Right Size Sump Pump

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.

How to Fix It

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. 

5. Check the Inlet Screen

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.

How to Fix It

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.

6. Look for a Broken Impeller

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. 

How to Fix It

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.