The sump pit prevents water from pooling in our basement, which is a huge benefit. If this water isn’t taken care of, it can cause a lot of problems, which is why our sump pit and sump pump are so important to the health of our home.
But we will often be left with a lot of questions. This includes ones that are connected to a constant flow of water into a sump pit.
Can the water that keeps getting into the sump pit be stopped?
If you can fix your sump pit, you can stop bigger problems from happening in your basement or crawlspace. No matter how the leak started, it must be fixed quickly, and a good solution must be found before the leak gets worse.
Water damage poses numerous risks, particularly when it is a major issue at your home’s foundation. If you want to avoid flooding, you need a sump pump that works well. This is especially true in places where it rains a lot and snow melts a lot.
If something isn’t working right, like a valve, float sensor, or discharge line, it may be easy to fix or replace. Also, most problems with partially blocked discharge lines are easy to fix.
On the other hand, if you have a high water table, a broken motor, or a bigger plumbing problem, you may need to replace your sump pump or do a bigger repair job. If so, you will need help from a professional.
What causes water to flow constantly into the sump pit and how do you fix it?
Homeowners should know what could be making their sump pump run all the time and take the steps needed to fix it before it becomes a problem.
The goal of a sump pump is to keep water from getting into your basement. The pump is always running to keep a certain level of water in the pit. But if water keeps flowing into the sump pit, it can cause the sump pump to run all the time.
Regularly checking the sump pit water level is something we frequently neglect to do, which might result in a persistent inflow. But these problems are easy to fix by taking a few simple steps.
1. Your house is in the wrong place
Even though it’s a shame, houses have sometimes been built in the wrong place by accident. You might have built your house right on top of a water table, for instance. When it rains a lot or when it’s rainy season, the water table might rise above the floor of your basement.
Due to natural rock shelves or springs, water might accumulate in the soil surrounding your foundation. To keep your basement dry in such a circumstance, your sump pump will be fighting the whole water table, and it will operate continually to do so.
2. Plumbing Problems
Several plumbing problems can make sump pumps run all the time. For example, water from a broken sprinkler system in your yard could be constantly moving through your sump pump.
You might also have this problem if a sewer pipe under your house is broken. Damage from these kinds of issues can also cause the foundation to rise. If you think this might be the case, you should talk to a professional about waterproofing as soon as possible.
If that’s not the case, it could be that your sump pit is too deep and too big. The only thing you should be worried about is keeping water out of your basement. If the water is too deep, an overflowing pump may have to run all the time to get rid of the extra water.
3. Blockage of the Waste Discharge Lines
It’s possible that the sump pump’s discharge line is clogged, which will cause it to continuously pump water. There are usually three reasons for this:
· Debris may have gotten stuck in the lines that let the water out.
· The impeller or filter of the pump could be clogged.
· The water could be backing up because there is damage to the structure of the sump pit.
During a rainstorm, if the discharge line is clogged, the pump won’t be able to get rid of any of the water it has collected. In the winter, keep your discharge lines clear of clogs and frozen water to send water away from your foundation.
4. Problems with the drains
A running pump does not always mean there is a problem with the drainage. Instead, check for stuck float switches or broken check valves that could be making your pump run even when the pit is dry.
5. Motor Problems
One of the most prevalent symptoms of a broken motor is a continual flow of water into the sump pit. Just like any other mechanism, the motor is the most important part of a sump pit mechanism. The sump pump might stop working if it isn’t working right, is too old, is overworked, or is too hot.
This is a common issue with sump pumps, and fixing them is likely to be one of your most costly purchases. This will also need help from a pro.
The damage may be permanent if the sump pump motor is just too old or the problem is too severe, so you will need to get a new one. But when you think about how valuable it is for your home, you shouldn’t be afraid to buy one.
What’s the cause?
Many different things can make water flow through our sump pit all the time. Although our problems may originate in various sectors of the system, they all have a similar effect on our lives.
A sump pump for a high water table
There are many reasons why a sump pump often lets water out. The sump pumps that are located below ground are the most prevalent. The water table shows how deep water is in the ground.
When the water table rises over the floor of your basement, as it frequently does during rain or for other natural reasons, water may readily enter the house. It will end up in the sump pit, which will make the sump pump work a lot.
If the sump pump is always working a lot, the water table may be higher than the floor of your basement.
The float switch was stuck
Even your float switch could be stuck. Because it’s stuck in operational mode, the sump pump will keep going and going. Even in the most routine circumstances, jamming can occur, so it’s important to keep an eye on the linked pieces and rule out anything that might be the source of the problem.
Drainage problems
Lastly, we should mention that you could end up with bad drainage. This happens when your home’s slope slopes toward it. That means that all the water you are getting rid of is coming right back at you, causing the sump pump to get rid of it again. The water keeps going around in circles, wasting time and keeping the sump pump on.
What should I do?
In general, the answers to these problems are pretty simple. First, you have to look at the system. By doing this, you get useful information that you can use later.
During an inspection of a sump pump, the problem of a stuck float switch should become clear. But something will have to be done to find a solution. Given the number of possible problems, we think it’s best to deal with them one at a time. Getting rid of anything that could be blocking the float switch or wrapping cords around it, among other things, could be just what you need.
Your examination will also assist with the problem of rising water tables. It depends on how much the water tables are different in height, but the problem can often be fixed by raising or lowering the pump by a few inches. If not, it would be best to hire trained professionals to help solve this problem.
