Is it normal for the sump pump runs continueously after a heavy rainfall? This is my situation. The pump will run for hours and if you look into the well, it is full of water but the level will not rise past a certain point. If I unplug the pump from the outlet and let it sits for a minute, it will pump all the water in the well out when I re-connect the pump again. I have a feeling the pump is somehow stuck, but know nothing about sump pump to fix it. Do I need to have it serviced? My house is only 41/2 years old, so is the pump going bad? Now, if I go outside and look when the pump is running, there is a trickle of water coming out. However, water will be gushing out as the well is being emptied after I restart the pump. Would it be that my pipe my is clogged with debris?

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95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

Is the pump ejecting water?
What type of float does it have?


and yes they should run after a rain.

I just re-read your post, it sounds like the float-swich is stuck.

DON'T LET THE PUMP RUN WITHOUT WATER IT WILL BURN OUT FAST.

I don't see a float in there. I know there must be one or else it will not know when to stop. Usually after I "re-booted" the pump, it works fine. I am afraid one day I am out of town and it keeps going till it burns out.

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95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

Replace it. It will be cheaper than dealing with a failure.

MHO

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1989 300 SEL that mostly works, but needs TLC

Replace it! and keep your an existing one for a back-up.

In a word, no, unless water is continuously entering the sump.

When the pump starts, it should pump most of the water out of the sump within minutes. The water should not go below a low level, when the pump shuts off, and not go above a high level, when the pump is started.

This begins to sound like a clog in the ejector pipe...

Again, sounds like a clog, but a few questions first.

When you re-start the pump and it is gushing out, does it empty the sump completely and then shut off?

Later, is it again pumping, but only a trickle?

I wonder if the pump impeller is loose on the pump motor shaft, so that it begins by pumping strongly, and then the pump impellor begins to slip on the shaft and the motor just spins and pumps very little

If water gushes out of the discharge for a while, there probably is not a clog. It sounds like a damaged pump that needs repair or replacing.

BTW, I would not keep it as a spare if it doesn't work correctly.

For further information, some light reading is suggested...

http://www.hometips.com/cs-protected/guides/sumps.html

Best Regards,
Jim

Yes. The sump will be comletely emptied until it is filled again to the point the pump kicks in. Empty out the sump and shut off.

No. It works fine after I "re-booted". But it appears the pump require re-booting every now and then. It rained last week, it worked fine but had to re-boot the pump few weeks ago.

It does has the sympton you mentioned when you hear the pump kept running non-stop. The water level in the sump won't rise beyond a certain point, but not emptied out either. When I went out to look at the pipe, only a trickle of water comes out.

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95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

i haven't the time to read all the reponces right now but to me it sure sounds like the pump is kaput or going that way... could be a clog, probably before the pump... just get a new one.. not that expensive...

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

OK, check for and clear out a clog in the piping.

Disconnect the sump pump from the discharge piping. There is likely to be a check valve, a fitting about the size of a softball, in the pipe somewhere above the sump. Take this out of the line and flush it out with a garden hose. Water should only run one way through it, observe the arrow.

While the check valve is out, stick a garden hose in the outside end, run water down the piping to clear out any debris.

Put the check valve back in, with the arrow pointing away from the sump.

Hook everything back up and cross your fingers.

If there is no clog, you will need to replace the sump pump.

Best Regards,
Jim

On the off-chance that you live in a perched water table, it would be interesting to understand the soil in your area. Is it porous (like sandy loam) on the surface and dense (like clay or stone) 3-10 ft down? Do you live in an area of steep drainage?

Is this pump phenomenon running something new or has it always done it?

Just replace the pump. The current one may be under warranty, check it out.

ALl the hassles involved wont be worth it, just replace it, it shouldnt cost that much, $75-$150.

Chances are something is making the prop stick, or the motor for some reason when it turns on. Re "booting" it gives it a kick that pushes it past whatever is making it stick.

If it has been "somewhat" consistent in getting stuck when it turns on automatically, then it isnt the pipeclogged, cuz that would stop the water from draining after you "reboot" also.

Also, the water entering in, or anything clogging it anywhere wont be occuring if the "not starting on its own" is somewhat consistent.

What it sounds like to me is the propeller has a spot that creates more friction than it is suppose to, and if it stops on or near that spot, the motor cant get it started when it is in that location untill you give it an extra boost by "re booting" it.

The other option, if you want to save money is replace the propeller.

Most sump pumps wont burn out if submerged in water if they are submerged, even if not pumping water out at the proper rate, as long as water is getting into the propeller area, it will be cooling it. The only thing preventing water from getting into the propeller area would be a clog on the inlet side, but that isnt happening cuz it works upon re booting.

Good point, if it has a 5 year warranty.

If the motor does not rotate, it will draw starting or "locked-roto" current, which should be large enough to trip the breaker.

I believe that is true only if the motor is turing. If the motor is not turning, it will draw locked-rotor current, which is 4-8 times its normal current, and overheat quite quickly unless the breaker trips.

If the pipe is not clogged, the best solution is to replace the sump pump. As stated, it's not major dollars.

I would test to be sure there is no clog before spending the money, since you have to remove the pump to replace it anyway...

Best Regards,
Jim

Thanks everybody for the information!!! I have work cut out for the afternoon and I will keep everybody posted. Thanks again.

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95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

yeah, that's most probable..

good luck finding it in this throw away society.

beg to differ here though.. to me it sounds just like it could be a clog before the pump.. with the pump shut off the clog falls away then when the pump is turned back on a bigger stream flows through for a bit and then the clog gets sucked back up...

anyway, i'd run snake, hose whatever.. through there if i was doing any of it.. it's called general maintenance.. you do it on your cars... houses need a bit of tlc too.

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon