sump pump problems

[drewmitch44]

I have a sump pit with 2 water ace 1/3 hp submersable pumps. The water table here is high and I have been having problems with water for years. The water comes into the sump pit and it is clean water. The pump will turn on about every 10 min or so. I have 1.5" PVC pipes running all the way out of the house where it turns into a 4" couragated pipe underground right in the front and goes to the ditch. These pumps are constantly breaking down! I am about to switch brands or something. I have to go and shake the float sometimes to get them to kick on. The floats can be completely under water and still they do not kick on. What do I do? Is there a better brand of pump and is there a better set up? I have the pumps set up so I can change them out quickly and there is 1.5" check valves on both PVC pipes on the way up the wall. Thanks for any help, advice, experience or any other info you can give me!

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: sump pump problems

I have a pedestal pump. My last one was a Zoeller. It was about 15 years old and still running fine when I replaced it. I only replaced it because the metal housing was rusting apart. My current one is a FloTec. It is 4 years old and runs fine. My pump doesn't have an easy life during rainy periods. It will sometimes cut on twice a minute.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: sump pump problems

I have a Flotech also, from home depot. It's been good for 6 years.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: sump pump problems

I have a sump pit with 2 water ace 1/3 hp submersable pumps. The water table here is high and I have been having problems with water for years. The water comes into the sump pit and it is clean water. The pump will turn on about every 10 min or so. I have 1.5" PVC pipes running all the way out of the house where it turns into a 4" couragated pipe underground right in the front and goes to the ditch. These pumps are constantly breaking down! I am about to switch brands or something. I have to go and shake the float sometimes to get them to kick on. The floats can be completely under water and still they do not kick on. What do I do? Is there a better brand of pump and is there a better set up? I have the pumps set up so I can change them out quickly and there is 1.5" check valves on both PVC pipes on the way up the wall. Thanks for any help, advice, experience or any other info you can give me!

i have the same problem with mine. i have an 1890's built house with a flat rock foundation. we have always had water. lately the pump doest come on. im thinking its out of adjustment... the wire to the float should be attached to the pump itself, and is adjustable as to how much or how little wire there (if that makes sense). i think there is too much and needs to be shortened.

 

[rbh]

Re: sump pump problems

If the float balls are flooded out can you just replace them?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: sump pump problems

Sure:
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/alarm.html

 

[jeeperman]

Re: sump pump problems

There ya go.
You could use one of those independent float switches or the remote switch further down the page as a redundant switch.
Just mount either higher than the current float switches you have.
That way if the current float(s) stick the new one will kick in when the water gets high enough.
Like a fail safe system.
I did that to mine as my basement would flood the floor in an hour during the spring thaw. The sump pump would be off for about 90 seconds.
I had a 120v with the above set up along with a 12volt car battery backup sump pump mounted higher up. And also a normally closed contact/relay switch wired into different circuit breaker that would sound an alarm if 120volt power to the pump circuit went off.
The 12volt sump also had an alarm that would sound if it was having to pump.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: sump pump problems

Dont have one now but as a kid we never had a problem with out 1960's vintage Sears pedestal, had the rod that went up and down which operated a simple switch attached to the motor housing.

Of course they dont build anyhting like they use too and some off the sump pumps I see for sale at home depot I wouldnt trust to pump out a kiddie pool.
I mean what goes wrong with a submersible float switch ? K THX china.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: sump pump problems

Perhaps step up to a half horse ZOELLER pump, the industry standard in sump pumps.

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: sump pump problems

+1 on the Zoeller pumps. I'd suggest one of their Mighty-Mate or Flow-Mate pumps depending on how much lift you need. We had water problems at our last house until we stepped up to Zoeller pumps in both of our sumps.

-RW

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: sump pump problems

With a pump that runs every 10 minutes or so I would go with as heavy duty as I could find.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: sump pump problems

I have (2) newer sump pumps in my basement (Flow-tecs I think). I put in a couple of 'french drain' systems emptying into plastic sump tanks....all with no problems whatsoever as far as the pumps are concerned.However, I have had to make sure of two things on the pumps. One is that the swing up float is not adjusted improperly. It should have a mark or tag saying not to exceed a certain mount point or the mercury switch will not activate....so check this.
The other is that the float if fully free to swing up and clear of the tank wall at all times...including when 'torqueing' at start up. If it catches the wall on the way up it will not activate and often the cycling of the pump causes it to move around the tank a bit. ie: keep the 'swing line' of the float very clear.
I would remove the sump pumps and bench test the two them independently several times to see if it actually is the switch...or if something is out in the set-up or installation.
How big are your sump tanks?? If they are too small they will cause a very high run/cycle rate on the pumps. If so, you might want to consider putting in a bigger tank(s) with more volume to bring your cycle time down.
Good luck and keep us posted.
BP

 

[gss036]

Re: sump pump problems

I read the above post and related articles. I have dealt with sump pump problems for the past 40+ years. I have yet to have an actual pump failure, it is all too common that the switch fails.
Doesn't seem to matter which kind you have. I have 2 sump pumps installed and keep two(2) spares setting in the barn as they always seem to fail at the most un-opportune times, weeks ends/nights etc.
You do need to pull the pumps and check the impeller section as they do have a tendency to collect debris at times.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: sump pump problems

Well, my sump pump took a crap today during the thaw from an ice storm. The OL said something about water in the laundry room. I walked in and saw the pump not turning and could hear it humming. The case was as hot as a firecracker. I unplugged it and tried to turn the windings and found them burn up and seized. Water was rising fast. I threw an back up submersible in the hole and ran a hose out the window, but she would only hold the water level about even. I ran to Lowe's and found only 2 pedestal pumps left. Came home, pulled the old one only to find the couplers two different sizes, so back to Lowe's. Get home, put the new pump in and can't get her to pump. After fiddling, I find the backflow valve faulty and take that out. Finally get the basement pumped out. I was a little bummed that my last pump only lasted about 4 years. That is until I did some investigating and found a dry sheet wrapped around the impeller....then, I was bummed with the laundry girl.

Yeah, I know I should keep a spare. I actually did for years, but put it in one day and never bought another. I'm getting one this week, though.