Why Is It Bad For Your Sump Pump To Run Continuously?

Your sump pump is designed to pump out water, so if it’s running when there’s no water, it’s an issue. Some sump pumps will start to short-cycle every 30 seconds, which is definitely not normal. If your sump pump is running continuously, it can cause the motor to overheat. This can cause internal damage, and eventually the motor will burn out. The end result is that your sump pump won’t be able to get rid of water from your home, and you’ll probably have to pay for a new one.

Faulty Check Valve

Sump pumps work by pumping the excess water out of your home, but because they are located in the lowest part of your house, they often have to pump it up 8 feet or more. As water rises through your pipes, there’s a risk that as the pump switches off, the water will just flow straight back down into the basin and trigger the pump to start again. A check valve is installed to stop the water from flowing straight back down again. If there’s an issue with the check valve, then your sump pump can get into a cycle of continuously turning on every few seconds.

Faulty Impeller

Your impeller is the internal component that turns and generates the momentum to pump the water out of the basin. Unfortunately, the impeller can easily become blocked by stones and other debris, which means that your pump is running, but the water isn’t being pumped. This leads to your sump pump running continuously because the water level isn’t dropping as it should.

Undersized Sump Pump

Every sump pump has different specifications with different motors. They’re designed to run in a specific size of area, but if your sump pump is too small for your basement or crawl space, it will need to run for longer to get the job done. This can lead to your sump pump continuously starting and stopping until the machine gets run down and may mean that the water isn’t being adequately drained from your home.

Battery back up for sump pumps – Why?

Homeowners should determine the potential for flooding to gauge if the battery backup is right for their needs. Power outages can happen during strong storms, taking out the sump pump. If you have these situations a few times a year or even once a year, a battery backup will be worth the investment. This will eliminate the cost of repairs, water removal and other issues that come with flood damage. A battery backup will decrease your risk and give you peace of mind that your property is protected from problems.

It’s important to note that an aging pump can also have a higher chance of failure without the need of a power outage. If your pump is 10 years or older, it’s likely time to invest in a new one. If your sump pump is more than five years old, a battery backup will come in handy to ensure that your aging appliance comes back online quickly.