How To Stop Your Sump Pump From Constantly Running

Do you need help with your sump pump problems? Call Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. at 440-485-3850 to schedule a consultation.

A sump pump helps keep your basement or crawl space dry by eliminating accumulated groundwater and moisture. The system’s design is such that it should only kick in when it detects water. Therefore, if your sump pump runs constantly, you have every reason to be concerned.

As Cleveland Heights' skilled plumbers, there’s no company better equipped to discuss how to stop your sump pump from constantly running. We’ll share all the details with you in this post.

Why You Need to Stop Your Sump Pump From Running All Day

Here’s what will happen if your sump pump keeps running non-stop:

• It could break down without notice: You could have a flooded basement if it breaks down during heavy rains. So, you’ll have to deal with the double trouble of pump replacement and water damage remediation.
• Your energy bills will rise: Sump pumps run on electricity. If yours operates constantly, you’ll notice a significant rise in your energy bills.
• Your pump will not reach the advertised lifespan: Sump pumps can last up to 15 years. If yours works constantly, it will wear out and break down irreparably long before then. 

Common Causes of Sump Pumps Constantly Running and What To Do About Them

If you’re exploring how to stop your sump pump from constantly running, you need to first know the possible causes. We’ll look at each of them below and what you can do about them.

Underground Leak

Your sump pump will continue running as long as enough water is in the sump pit. If the pit always has water, you need to confirm that you don’t have a leaky drain line or a crack in your septic system. Run a trace to confirm the leak, or call a plumber if you can’t identify the leak source.

You need to solve the underground leak quickly to avoid overwhelming your sump pump and putting your foundation at risk.

If the underground leak is a result of your home being too close to the water table line or an underground spring that has become active lately, you may need to install a second sump pump to support the existing unit.

A Jammed Float Switch

The role of the float switch is to trigger the sump pump to start working when the water in the pit rises to a certain level. The switch will signal the system to turn off when the water level drops low enough. 

Therefore, if the float jams, the pump may continue to run indefinitely.

Check the float switch to confirm it’s not stuck in the “on” position. If it is, move it gently to the “off” position to see if it will switch off the pump. If it does, you need to check for (and clear out) any accumulated debris on the sump pump and in the surrounding area interfering with the float switch’s movement. 

Blocked or Cracked Discharge Pipe

The sump pump pushes water away from your basement through a PVC discharge pipe. The pipe can break or crack over time due to pressure or root intrusion. Debris can also block it.

Water escaping from the discharge line before reaching outside will flow back into the pit, making the pump work longer than necessary. Similarly, if there are clogs in the line, the pump will continue running to get more water out.

Run a visual check to ensure the pipe has no leaks. Clear out all visible mud and debris around the exit as well.

If you’ve noticed the signs of a blocked discharge pipe in the winter, check to confirm that the pipe isn’t frozen. If it is, you can use some warm water to unfreeze it. A portable heater can also work here, but be careful to avoid damage to the pipe.

Check Valve Damage

The sump pump’s discharge line transfers water from the sump pit into the drainage pipe extending out of your home. However, the first two meters of the line will run straight up from the pit.

Without a functional check valve, water will flow back into the sump pit before reaching above ground. Thus, your sump pump will continue working non-stop. If you spot signs of damage or wear on your check valve, you need to replace it. 

Broken Impeller

The impeller in a sump pump is a fan-like device responsible for sucking in water from the sump pit and forcing it up and away through the discharge line. If it’s damaged or clogged, the sump motor will run continuously, as water can’t leave the sump pit.

You can inspect your impeller visually for signs of clogs or visible damage. You’ll need to switch off the pump first and bring it out of the sump pit to gain access to the impeller. Clearing clogs around the impeller should allow it to rotate freely again. Otherwise, you’ll need to schedule an impeller replacement service.

Undersized Sump Pump

If you’ve come this far but are still unsure how to stop your sump pump from constantly running, you likely have an undersized unit. If the sump pump is too small to handle the volume of water entering the sump pit, it will run continuously to compensate for its inadequacy.

If you suspect you have an undersized sump pump, pull up the user manual or the sump pump’s specification sheet to see how much water it should handle. If your sump pit has higher amounts of water than the pump can handle, you may need to upgrade to a more powerful model.

Call Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. for Expert Help

Do you need further guidance on how to stop your sump pump from constantly running? Maybe you don’t have the confidence to troubleshoot the problem. Regardless, our professional plumbers can help!

We are the experts to trust for plumbing upgrades and repairs. Call Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, today at 440-485-3850 to schedule an inspection.