Last Updated on June 25, 2023 by admin
If you want to keep the unwanted water away from your house, the best way is to go for a sump pump. However, you cannot check the sump pump water every day. And to help you out, there is a sump pump alarm that lets you know when the water level is low. It also tells you about other facts. At times, the sump pump water alarm can start beeping or might not work. In this case, you must know how to reset sump pump alarm.
Here, we will tell you how to deal with a sump pump alarm that is not working at all! All you need to do is reset your sump pump and you will get back everything you were missing.
Table Of Contents
Sump Pump Alarm Sounding
When it comes to the sump pump alarm sounding, people get worried. In this case, you have to be very careful not to unplug the sump pump if you see that the alarm is going off. You might think that unplugging can help you out but trust us, it will not! All you have to do is resist that reaction.
Unplugging might cause damage to the sump pump. So, before you switch it off, wait, and see what happens.
Check the water level. In most cases, if the water of the sump raises the maximum level of 6 inches (below the lid,) you will see that the sump has started beeping! However, all you have to do is stop the water level from reaching its highest height. The work of the sump pump is to throw the additional water out of the basement or the house.
The alarm works for warning you about the activity of the sump pump. If it is not working properly, the alarm will tell you that. Here, searching for the basic cause of the alarm beeping is very important.
Easy Fixes for Sump Pump Alarm
- Removing the pump cord from the outlet of your house
- Wait for a few minutes
- Check and re-check the outlet if it is working or not
- Take necessary steps if it’s not working
- Re-plug the sump pump by reconnecting it
- Take a look if it works or not
However, you have to make sure that you don’t use any sort of extension cord if you see your alarm beeping. It is better to wait for ensuring that no extension cord is needed as long as you can easily rest the sump pump water alarm.
No Power Issue
If you see that there is no power at all, you have to check the breaker. And after that, you should reset it in the proper method and go through the easy fix steps for getting it in the previous position again.
Breaker Issue
There are times when you will see that there is power elsewhere in your house and not in the outlet you are using the sump pump. Before doing anything, double-check the other power outlets so that you can know if there is power or not. If you find that the whole house is running out of power, call the utility company and tell them to fix it.
If you see that it is a localized difficulty then you are free to utilize an extension cord. But remember that you can use the extension cord only when there is no power in one outlet. You may be interested in Best Sump Pump Switch Reviews
Engaged Pump Issue
If you see that breaker stays on and then you see that the breaker trips if the sump pump is hooked, you might be facing two different issues. Here, you have to go through the electrical and then you have to go through the pump.
First of all, turn on the breaker. Then, plug in another gear so that you can take a look at the wiring issues. If you have any electrical issues, you will need an electrician. If there is no such issue, you must know that the sump pump you have is clogged. Here, you have to repair it. If you cannot repair it, you will need to replace it.
For repairing it, you have to go through the discharge line. You must know whether there is any clog or not. You have to clear the obstructions if you see any clogs. If the pop-up drain is the trouble, clear it.
Resetting Button Choosing
No matter which sump pump you use, all the systems that are available in the market come with a text button. So, it gets easy for you to reset the alarm and make it work again! However, before you know how to reset the sump pump alarm, you have to know the basic details.
Different sump pump failure alarms are immediate, and it happens then and there. However, you will see sump pump alarms that will reset for 24 hours or so. The sump pump alarms resetting is easy when it is instantaneous. On the other hand, if you go for the second one, you have to make sure that there are no other ways to make the sump pump alarm right again.
- All you have to do is know where the reset button is. It is usually situated on the motor. If you know that your pump does not include any reset button, you have to go through the power off switch. Then, turn it off. You can also unplug the pump from the direct electrical outlet.
- Go through the inner side of your pump. If there is any debris, clean it properly, and remove all the clogs.
- Plug in the sump pump again and switch it on. As a result, you will get your pump back in the previous position.
FAQs on Resetting Sump Pump Alarm
Why is my sump pump alarm going off?
IN most cases, the sump pump alarm goes off when the water of the sump reaches the highest level. Know if you have any battery backup or not. If there is nothing like this, the sump pump will alert you about the power out. Go through the water level too in this case.
Most of the sump pump alarms have a reset button. But there are also sump pumps that don’t include a reset button. If you have a sump pump that does not include such a button, you have to unplug the pump from the wall so that you can cycle the motor.
Should I hear my sump pump?
If you are operating the sump pump normally, there will always be a little noise. When the water frequently moves through the pipe of the sump pump, it can move the air out. As a result, there is a slight noise. If the sound increases, you must check it properly.
Things Sump Pump Owners NEED to Know
Wrap Up
There are so many problems that you can face when you are using a sump pump alarm. When it comes to resetting, think twice before doing it. Never settle for unplugging the sump pump before you know the reason behind the beeping or the problem.
Here, we have mentioned all the steps of how to reset sump pump alarm. If you think that you should reset it, try this method and make life easier.
FAQ – How Do You Reset a Sump Pump?
In emergencies like storms, sump pumps are the devices that protect your property from basement flooding and water damage. They remove excess water from your property by pumping it out.
Sometimes, a sump pump fails to work as intended and you need to reset it to solve the problem. Additionally, resetting the sump pump can also come in handy when pumping is not needed but the device is running continuously.
To reset a sump pump, you’ll need to press and hold the reset button for five to 10 seconds. If your device doesn’t have the reset button, then disconnecting it from the wall outlet and reconnecting it again should do the trick.
How Do I Get My Sump Pump to Kick On?
The best way to get your sump pump to continue to work optimally is to prevent common causes of failure. You can install a backup battery for power outages and inspect your sump pump periodically for clogs.
If your sump pump isn’t working properly and resetting it doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to open it to inspect it for jams and clean it thoroughly. Here’s how you can clean and reset your sump pump.
Step 1: Disconnect Electricity
Working with a sump pump when it’s connected to electricity can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, you must disconnect the power to ensure your safety before you start the sump pump resetting process.
All you need is to locate the switch of the sump pump, turn it off, and unplug it from the wall outlet.
Step 2: Remove the Sump Pump from the Basin
Once you have disconnected the electricity, the next step is to remove the sump basin cover and take the pump out of the base. At this point, you’ll need to remove the pump connectors and drainage pipes attached to the pump.
Perform this step very carefully to make sure that you don’t accidentally damage any component of the device. In addition, take a good look at drainage pipes and connectors to memorize the way they’re connected. It’ll help you while you’re reassembling the sump pump system.
Step 3: Clean the Pump
After removing the sump pump from the sump pit, place it on an old rag or towel. Inspect the pump and if there are any small pebbles, rocks, dirt, and debris, clear them out carefully.
These small rocks and debris are the most common reason why a sump pump gets jammed and fails to work even if you have reset it. Once the sump pump is clean, take a look at discharge pipes, drain lines, and the basin pit to make sure they’re also clean and free of clogs.
Step 4: Put the Sump Pump Back in its Place
Attach connectors and drainage pipes to the pump as they were before and place the sump pump back in the basin pit. Next, reconnect the power by plugging the switch into the wall outlet and turning the switch on.
It’ll reset the device and the sump pump will start working. If your sump pump has a built-in reset button, you can press and hold it for five to 10 seconds to force the reset function.
How Do You Troubleshoot a Sump Pump?
The following are some common steps that you can take to troubleshoot a sump pump that’s not working optimally.
Inspect the Sump Pump for Clogs
A clogged sump pump will fail to work and won’t remove water from your property. You can use the steps listed above to inspect your sump pump for clogs.
Inspect the Float Switch for Jam
A float switch is one of the most important parts of a sump pump and it’s responsible for triggering the pumping cycles. It automatically turns the sump pump on when the water level in the sump pit reaches a certain level.
A jammed float switch won’t trigger a pumping cycle and the device will fail to work. Sometimes the float switch wire gets tangled with the system or gets displaced due to the pump’s vibration.
In these cases, the pump fails to work when there is water or continues to run even if the pumping isn’t required. Adjusting the float switch should resolve these issues.
Inspect the Check Valve for Faults
There is a check valve in a sump pump system that keeps discharged water from back-flowing and reaching the basement. If the check valve is faulty or broken, the water will reach the basement again and the sump pump will run non-stop.
You’ll need to inspect the check valve and if it’s faulty or broken, then replacing it with the new one should resolve the problem
Inspect Power Connection
Storms can lead to water outages and a sump pump will not work if there’s no electricity in your house. To counter this problem, we recommend you install a separate battery for your sump pump as a backup plan.
But if there’s no power outage, you’ll need to check if your sump pump is plugged into the wall outlet. Checking the circuit breaker for accidental flips might also help.
What Would Cause a Sump Pump to Stop Working?
The following are the most common problems that can cause a sump pump to stop working.
Power Failure
Power failure can take place due to bad weather, which is a deadly combination, leading to water damage. You can counter this problem by installing a backup power source like a battery or generator.
Stuck Float Switch
Another common reason that causes a sump pump to stop working is a stuck float switch. It happens when the float switch becomes tangled to the side of the pump.
Small rocks, dust, and debris can also jam the float switch and make it useless. You’ll need to open the sump pump and adjust the float to resolve this problem.
Overwhelmed Pump
Sometimes the sump pump becomes overwhelmed by the water influx. This problem occurs when you have a device with a lower horsepower than required. In such a case, you’ll need to opt for a bigger sump pump.
Clogged Discharged Pipe
As mentioned above, small pebbles, dirt, and debris can lead to a clogged discharge pipe, making the sump pump ineffective. Opening and cleaning your sump pump should solve this issue.
Worn Out Pump
Just like any other device, sump pumps also have a limited lifespan, about 7 to 10 years, and they become ineffective due to normal wear and tear. If your sump pump is older than that, it might be a good time to invest in a new one.
Burnt Out Motor
When your sump pump has a burnt-out motor, it’ll fail to work. It can happen when your sump pump fails to stop when no water is there and pumping isn’t required.
In addition, this problem can also take place due to short circuits, or normal wear and tear. To solve this problem, you’ll need to get your sump pump motor repaired or replaced.
What Do You Do When Your Sump Pump Alarm Goes Off?
The sump pump alarm goes off when the water level has reached about six inches below the lid. In such a scenario, you can perform the following:
Check the Power Supply
Power failure is the biggest reason why the sump pump alarm goes off. It happens when the pump isn’t working and the water level continues to rise and trigger the alarm.
Check the Sump Pit
If the sump pump is working but the water level in the sump pit is less than about six inches below the lid, you have a small device.
It means that the pump is working hard but removing less water from your property than the amount of water reaching the pit. You’ll need a bigger sump pump.
Inspect Sump Pump Alarm System
A faulty or poor-quality alarm system can cause false alarms. You’ll need to replace your alarm system and buy a new one to solve this problem.
Final Words
Resetting a sump pump isn’t a challenging task and you can complete it easily without professional help. All you need is to press and hold the reset button of your device for five to 10 seconds.
If your sump pump doesn’t have the reset button, disconnecting the power will be enough to cycle the system’s motor. You might also need to check your sump pump for clogs if resetting the device doesn’t solve the problem.