Sump Pumps

Go and have a look and report your findings.

Look for pump, note it's type make etc, listen to it, feel it, you should probably hear/feel it.

Is there a load of water present? Is the pump or it's intake below the water level?

Is there power to the pump, is it ON? Is there a float switch? Is there a power on indicator?
Where does it pump to? Is it accessible ? Is it wet?

Basically follow the accepted fault finding preceedure. Start at either end and work inwards until you meet yourself in the middle...If either of you have found anything suspicious then discuss it between yourselves...but never rely on the other one to fix it, cos he's a lazy git

The more information you give us the better will be our advice... the ball is clouding over...

Please insert a £1 for another 2 minutes.

Del

Thank you for your fast reply..will probably get plumber to look at it since we have no idea what we are looking for...just know we could here it a lot when we first moved in and cannot hear anything now..

Thanks again for your help

RD

Try looking first...you don't have to touch anything. You may surprise yourself, learn something and save money. Don't believe the old 'ignorance is bliss'... it ain't.

Even if you do resort to a plumber you should try and learn a little to avoid getting ripped off.

It's not rocket science, as someone has already said, it will be switched by a float switch... you will recognise that, 'cos it will be floating. The pump will be something between the size of a beer can and a small bucket, it may be sitting low down in a shallow sump where the water collects...It will have an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe and an cable for the mains electricity.

Go on have a look I dare you I'll purr nicely if you do.

Del

You need to know if it is NOT working when it is supposed to be working. Stores like Home Depot and Lowes sell water level alarms. Here is a link for one at Home Depot for $9.97

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100038838

Sump pumps are quite simple, there is a float that rises with the water and turns a switch on to start the motor. The most common problem is that something prevents the float from moving up.

I recommend having a plumber check it out because there is danger involved in working around electricity and water. Also there is a rotating blade below the sump which can take your fingers off.

If you call a plumber to check the sump pump ask him to bring a water alarm. They may charge more than Home Depot but you may get a better one and he should be able to install the alarm with no additional labor charge above the minimum service call charge.

Thanks will get plumber as we do have house warranty and sump pumps are covered!

Rule #1 for sumps & plumber.

Replace the pump, get a new one then when you need the plumber to fix it again you may not have to pay the service charge which isn't covered by warranty.

One way is to wait until water runs out on the floor then you know its not working.

If you must open the top look in side has a float lift it up. Should come on then.

Thanks for the help!

I suggest checking your pump for corrosion - a rusty metal bar that the floater moves on can stop your floater's on/off sensor from working properly, not starting the pump as it should. Also check your local town's website, or call them directly, for any warnings that the water table for your geographic area is rising due to seasonal changes (eg lots of snow melting all at once). I feel your pain - will be recovering from a cellar water situation this weekend, and pulling carpet. Best to be pro-active w/r/t sump pumps, like you're doing here. Good luck!

Add a bucket or two of water into the sump. The pump should turn to remove the extra water.

One more thing - since you were wise enough to have warranty coverage, also be wise enough to observe as much of what the plumber/electrcian does w/o getting in the way as possible. And get some instruction from him/her as to the operation of the refurbished or new unit. As was mentioned already, bliss is bliss - ignorance is just dumb!

First I would recommend that you become very familiar with how your sump pump works. A non working sump pump can cause a lot of water damage as well as lot of repair/property costs. Even if your not the most techically savy, as a homeowner you need to know about this pump.

Most likely if you could hear it before and you can't hear it now it's not working.

Here is what I would recommend to troubleshoot.

make sure water level is high enough to turn the pump on.

Make sure it is getting power, check the circuit breaker or GFI outlet it may be plugged into. If ether is tripped reset it and see what happens. If it operates fine it may have been a surge that tripped one of the two. If it happens again you may need a new pump or an electrician.

Check the float, The float is the device that acts as a switch to turn the pump on and off. it's usually attached right to the pump.(unplug or trip circuit breaker before you stick your hand on any of it) Make sure the float can freely move. It's is going to look like a 3" ball at the of a cable or it's going to be on a ball on a sliding rail. Make sure the float can freely move.

Depending on the complexity of the installation I would consider just replacing the pump with a new one from a local hardware store. If you get it working or you do a replacement I would strongly recommend that you get a high water alarm added.

Get to know this pump, it can rain at anytime. And before you call a plumber, at least check the power.

Bluestone's addition of a battery powered pump is a good one, and distinguishes his contribution to the thread. I recently installed two sump pumps beneath a home in the crawl space. Much damage had been done by a water heater. So it is not always a rain drainage issue that may be of concern. Water heaters may up and decide to let all of their water out, and few homes fully account for the prospect. Putting the water heater in its own enclosure outside of the house proper is a good idea in my opinion. Further, I read the instructions of the pump I installed which recommended a water collection size hole, bucket. If you change the pump I suggest you consider if it is in a properly sized collector. Likely the one you've got is in the right sized container for it, though this might not be the case for your replacement. Again I like the suggestion of two sump pumps, one being battery powered, though wonder if a marine battery might be better than a car battery.

Again I like the suggestion of two sump pumps, one being battery powered, though wonder if a marine battery might be better than a car battery.

I wonder if a generator might be better than a marine battery (:

Water heaters may up and decide to let all of their water out, and few homes fully account for the prospect.

New homes should have electric water heaters without steel tanks and you missed the service window on yours too...

Thanks for all the helpful advice! Sump pump was old..had it replaced with warranty so all is well..have instructions now so I myself can keep up with the pump!

Once again really appreciate all the comments!

RD

Hi rdsmith,

Did you see the current 'Challenge Question' ?

http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/5457/Fixing-The-Pump-CR4-Challenge-04-08-08

A lot of it is tongue in cheek, but you may find some useful knowledge there. The official 'answer' should be published early/mid next week. If you have time to look through it all, you may find some general info that has potential future use. Good luck, and I hope you return to CR4 - It contains a lot of very good DIY knowledge for household issued. Most people can relate to figuring out how stuff works around the home, so I hope you post any more situations that crop up. Sumps aren't usually an issue in the UK, but it's interesting to read up on, especially via discussion prompted by people like yourself.

Not being a smart a@# ... i swear .. but higher a plumber .... the damage that can be caused by water in a house can reach 10,s of thousands quick. I wouldn't mess around. If its in question replace it promptly.