Last Updated on July 2, 2023 by admin

You might face such situations when your sump pump stops operating its works, thereby the basement of your home gets flooded and you do not know the reasons behind this. Sump pump not working basement flooded solutions in the following article.

 

If you can figure out what went wrong with your sump pump, you will be able to solve it as well. Here, I am going to discuss the reasons for the failure of the sump pump, and will also provide the necessary suggestions to solve it.

 

Power failure

 

Sump pump requires electricity to run.  If the power goes out, the sump pump will stop functioning its tasks.

 

Repair methods

 

You can add a battery backup or battery backup sump pump to get rid of this problem.

 

The workload is too high

 

A sump pump might fail to pump water from the sump pit if too much water is gathered in the sump pit. Especially in the time of heavy rain, your sump pump might stop working because of the heavy workload. Here the quality of your pump will be tested.

 

Repair methods

 

Installation of a backup sump pump along with your primary sump pump will help you to solve this problem by decreasing the workload of a primary sump pump.  When the primary pump will fail to operate its works, the backup one will be there to solve your problem. Another way of solving this problem would be using a sump pump which is extremely powerful like WAYNE CDU1000.

 

Location of discharge

 

If the location of the water discharge area is very close to the foundation, it can cause sump pump failure. Water might come back slowly to the basement area of your house.

 

Repair methods

 

Keep your discharge location at least 12 feet away from your basement, and the discharge area should be on a downward slope.

 

Clogged in your sump pump

 

Your sump pump can be blogged or filled up with several things like debris and dirt in the sump pit, switch that you use to turn on your sump pump may be clogged, and sometimes some pit gets dry at that moment silt gathered in the pit thereby interior of the sump pump gets clogged.

 

Repair methods

 

Bring the sump pump out of the sump pit, and check the impeller to find whether anything is blocking it. If you find anything then remove it. Also, see the float switch if anything blocking it then remove it as well.

 

Heavy pressure on the electrical Circuit

 

The use of heavy electric appliances like a Fridge, Dishwashers, Water heaters along with sump pumps will put huge pressure on the electric circuit.

Repair methods

 

Use one electric circuit for your sump pump that will be good enough to solve this particular problem.

 

The amount of water is too high

 

If a large amount of water is gathered in the basement of your house, your sump pump might fail to do its tasks provided that your sump pump is not powerful and expensive.

 

Repair methods

 

Install a sump pump that is powerful and expensive, and add a battery backup sump pump with it.

 

Clogged in the Discharge line

 

The sump pump requires a discharge line to throw out the water. Your unit might not work if this gets clogged or frozen.

 

Repair methods

 

You need to clean your discharge line to get rid of clogged in the discharge line. Wrap Heating  Cable with the  Discharge line to save it from freezing.

 

Lack of proper maintenance

 

Without proper maintenance, a sump pump may develop some problems which can be the reason for sump pump failure. The float might create issues for the cord of the pump inside the sump pit hanging it.

 

Read More: Best Battery Backup for Existing Sump Pump

 

Repair methods

 

Regular maintenance will be useful for you to tackle this type of issue. Also, the use of mesh guards outside the drains prevents dirt and debris that can help the smooth discharge of water.

 

Other issues with the sump pump and solution

 

We do not need to be a plumber to solve most of the issues with the sump pump. We just need to know the way of solving those issues, and I will show you the path. Besides, you do not require to spend a lot of money to solve issues with your sump pump.

 

The sump pump continues to run

 

See whether the switch on the sump pumps correctly operating its tasks. Replace the switch if it does not work properly. Find the Discharge pipe and clean it if there is any debris or dirt. Maybe your sump pump is not powerful enough which is why it is run continuously. The only solution for this problem is to install a more powerful sump pump.

 

Issues with turning on

 

A sump pump may face problems to turn on because of a blown fuse, tripped circuit breaker, and if the water level of your sump pit is too low. Bring your sump pump out and clear the inlet valve provided there is any debris and dirt.

 

Frequent starts and stops of sump

 

Without pumping all the water if your sump pump stops, it means your sump pump is overheated or float switch facing issues. To solve the overheating problem with the sump pump, ensure that your sump pump gets enough power from electricity because overheating is caused by a low-voltage electricity supply.

 

In conclusion, I would suggest you regularly check your sump pump whether everything is going okay with it. As it is in the basement of your home, it is not in front of our eyes, therefore it is important to check regularly. If you have any further questions, please leave your comments below.

 

Sump Pump Reset Valve

 

If your sump pump isn’t working, you might have to reset it. That could mean locating the reset button on the unit or manually resetting the pump by switching it off and on again (though it is a little more involved than that).

 

It’s good practice to check your pump periodically, especially if wet weather is approaching. Ensuring the operation of your sump pump can save your property from substantial water damage.

 

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about reset valves and how to keep your sump pump running.

 

 

Do All Sump Pumps Have A Reset Button?

 

No. 

 

Small sump pumps and lower-priced models often don’t have a reset button, but that does not mean you can’t reset them. You’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to manually reset your sump pump later in this article.

 

 

What Happens When Sump Pump Check Valve Fails?

 

The sump pump check valve can fail in 2 main ways. 

 

It can get locked due to too much water pressure, or the outlet end can become clogged and won’t open when the pump turns on to push water through the pipeline. 

 

Even though the pump is running, the faulty check valve is limiting flow. Not only will you be stuck with a pool of water that won’t get drained, but you also run the risk of damaging the pump and motor. 

 

The check valve can also become locked in the open position, and the water in the pipeline above the pump will flow back into the pump. 

 

At first, if the line is filled, you’ll still be able to pump all the water out. However, once all the water is out and the air is introduced to the system, it can become airlocked, and the pump can lose its prime. 

 

With both an airlock and a loss of prime, the next time the pump turns on, it won’t be able to pump water out due to the air. 

 

If the pump shuts down while there is still water in the outlet line, the water in the line will flow back into the pump and eventually into the reservoir that it was pumped out of. This will not only lead to flooding but can also damage the pump. 

 

The check valve can develop a leak. The most obvious sign of a leaking check valve is the water pressure dropping and the pump taking longer to remove water from the reservoir since there is water flowing back in through the leak. 

 

While this might not damage the pump or motor directly, the pump is working harder, which causes excess stress on the motor and also increases the energy spent to remove the water. 

 

 

How Do You Reset A Sump Pump?

 

There are 2 ways to reset the pump.

 

Reset Button 

 

1. Locate the reset button on your sump pump.
2. If the pump has tripped for any reason, switch off the power supply and give it 10 to 20 seconds.
3. Then switch the power back on and press the reset button. 
4. Ideally, you should switch off the power and take the pump out of the water for safety. Press the reset button and then replace it in the water. 

 

Manual Reset

 

1. First, turn off the breaker that powers the pump. 
2. Disconnect the pump from the socket. 
3. Remove the pump from the water. At this stage, it’s a good idea to clean out the pump and remove any debris in the reservoir. 
4. Place the pump back in the water and switch on the power. 
5. To test the pump manually, lift the float switch attached to the top of the pump. As soon as the ball in the float switch comes in contact with the connector, the pump should turn on. 
6. If there is no water in the tank or you are testing the pump out on the bench, don’t let the pump turn on for more than a couple of seconds. 

 

How Do I Get My Sump Pump to Kick On?

 

Sump pumps can stop working for several reasons. This doesn’t mean that the pump is bad. It could be because of a blockage in the pump or because the inbuilt circuit has tripped. 

 

To get it kick-started, you need to clean it out and restart the pump. Start by switching off the power supply and disconnecting the pump from the socket. Unscrew the piping and the check valve so you can remove the pump from the pit. 

 

Place the pump and the check valve on a workstation and clean it out. Remove any dirt and debris you see near the water inlet (the underside of the pump) with a wire brush. Have a look at the water outlet and make sure that it is clean. 

 

Bits of plastic, paper, wires, threads, or even hair can clog the pump. Open and test the check valve and make sure it is clean. If the sump pump has a lubricated bearing assembly underneath, open that up and apply some fresh lube. 

 

With everything cleaned out, replace the pump in the reservoir and reconnect the power. When you switch on the pump in this condition, it shouldn’t turn on. This is normal. 

 

Pour a bucket or two of water into the reservoir so it fills up enough to move the float switch and switch the pump on. 

 

The reset should now be complete.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Sump pumps are extremely durable bits of machinery and can easily last for several years or even decades if taken care of properly. 

 

If you are still experiencing problems with the pump after resetting the sump pump and having it serviced, consider getting a plumber to check all the piping and an electrician to inspect the power supply to the pump.