What should I do if my sump pump keeps cycling?
Why does my sump pump keep cycling?
- Unplug the sump pump. Most sump pumps are plugged into a nearby outlet.
- Clear the sump pit.
- Make sure the float moves up and down freely.
- Move the sump pump to the center of the pit.
- Plug the sump pump back in to see if it still runs constantly.
What causes your water pump to short cycle?
- CAUSES of PUMP ON and OFF RAPID CYCLING
- HOW TO DETECT WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING
- HOW TO FIX A WATER PUMP THAT RUNS TOO OFTEN
- DO I NEED A NEW WATER TANK if PUMP CYCLES RAPIDLY?
How often should the sump pump run?
To answer the question simply, a sump pump should only run whenever it is needed. In other words, it should only run whenever a certain water level is met. Though this isn’t a very direct answer, it is the most accurate one. If you live in an area that rains a lot, your sump pump should kick on pretty often.
How to stop a sump pump that keeps running?
See how:
- Open the crankcase pump.
- Check the float switch. ...
- Buy a new float switch for the sump pump. ...
- Disconnect and remove the old sump pump group key.
- Connect a new sump pump switch.
- Attach the float switch to a stationary object, such as the sump pump itself, to float switch floats up and down with the water level. ...
How long should a sump pump run between cycles?
In most cases, it's perfectly normal for a sump pump to run constantly after heavy rain, often for 2 or 3 days in a row. Obviously, during periods of heavy rain, there's a whole bunch of water falling on the surface of the ground very quickly, and that water has to go somewhere.
What causes sump pump to short cycle?
What Causes a Sump Pump to Short Cycle? In most cases, short cycling is a symptom of a fault in your pump's float switch—a device which floats on the surface of the water in your sump basin and then turns your pump on when the water reaches a particular level.
Is it normal for a sump pump to run every 4 minutes?
It is not normal for a sump pump to run constantly. If your sump pump runs every minute and you are not experiencing a large increase in the water table in your area, then this points to something being wrong with your pump.
Why is my sump pump going off every 30 seconds?
The usual cause is the power cord has become tangled in the float switch's path, preventing it from operating normally. More often, the cord blocks the float switch from ever turning on at all, effectively sidelining your sump pump and allowing your basement to flood. Check the power cord by tracing its path.
How do you fix a short cycle water pump?
If there is no bypass valve for your water filter, turn off the pump and valves around the water filter, then remove the water filter cartridge and reassemble the unit. If the short cycling problem stops you probably had a clogged water filter. Replace the water filter cartridge.
How many cycles will a sump pump last?
So the trade off for the few dozen extra cycles on the switch of your main sump pump isn't worth the risk of flooding your basement (and most pump switches average 100,000 cycles anyway).
Why is my sump pump running every 5 minutes?
The most common cause of a sump pump system running continuously is when the sump pump float switch is stuck on the "on" position in your sump pit. This will cause it to run even when all water has been removed, which will burn out the pump prematurely.
Why is my sump pump running so often?
What happens when the sump pump cycles too frequently? If you hear your sump pump running, that's a sign it's working and pushing water out of the sump pump pit. However, if it continuously runs and not from the amount of water entering the pit, that means there's an issue with the system.
Is it normal for a sump pump to run continuously during heavy rain?
It's normal for sump pumps to run two to three days after heavy rain. There is a lot of groundwater for the pump to filter out over time. However, if it takes longer, start investigating if the pump is actually still draining water.
Is it bad for a sump pump to run continuously?
A sump pump that runs constantly will wear out quickly and be more susceptible to malfunctions. If the pump continuously operates when there's no water in the pit, it's also more likely to overheat. Any type of sump pump failure leaves your basement vulnerable to flooding and extensive water damage.
At what level should a sump pump turn on?
The water should not be that high in the sump. It should be down to around the 2-3" level inside.
Should a sump pump always have water in it?
It's perfectly normal for a sump pump pit to always have some water in it. This water can be the result of rain, snowmelt, or seepage from the ground. That being said, when the water rises to a certain level, this should trigger your sump pump's float switch. This will cause the pump to turn on and start working.
1. The float switch is stuck
The float switch is the mechanism that determines when the sump pump kicks on and moves the water out of the pit to wherever it is discharged. This part is called the float because it sits on top of the water and moves up and down with the water level. Once the water (and float) rises up to a certain point, the switch tells the pump to do its job.
2. A faulty check valve
When the sump pump is activated, it pushes water up through a vertical pipe called the discharge pipe. The check valve is a one-way valve that prevents water from coming back down the discharge pipe and back into the pit. Over time, the check valve can wear out and eventually fail.
3. Problem with the discharge method
Water from a sump pump has to go somewhere. There are two commonly accepted discharge methods: 1) releasing above-ground away from the foundation, and 2) connecting to the municipal storm sewer. If there’s a break, clog, or other problem with the discharge, water may be backing up into the sump pump, which would cause it to cycle repeatedly.
What does short cycling mean on a water pump?
Short cycling of a water pump means that the water pump or "well pump" turns on and off too rapidly or too frequently when water is being run in the building. "Short cycling" means switching on and off every 30 seconds or less.
Why does a water pump cycle on and off?
Its air charge acts like a spring to smooth the delivery of water in the building. If the building water supply pump is "short cycling" - coming on and off rapidly, you may need to add air to the water pressure tank.
How often does a water pump turn on and off?
The "short cycling" water pump is turning on and off rapidly, perhaps every 10 to 20 seconds or even more frequently .
How long does it take for a water pump to pulse?
Water pressure pulses, that is the pressure goes from strong to weak, at a short time interval ranging from just a few seconds to perhaps a minute. The water pump turns on and off rapidly, on the same time interval. You may hear the pump motor running and stopping and running again.
When does a pressure booster pump turn on?
Watch out: For pressure boosting pumps that do not use any pressure tank (the control that turns the pump on and off is built into the pump), the pump turns on as soon as a plumbing fixture is opened to run water and runs all the time water is being run.
Can a submersible pump short cycle?
These short cycling problems happen with both in-building jet pumps and with in-well submersible pumps. It's trickier to notice a short cycling submersible pump since you won't hear the pump motor, but you will hear the pump relay clicking on and off, or you can see the water pressure gauge cycling up and down rapidly.
Can you replace a pump if it is still working?
A lot depends on whether a pump is running dry, and on the pump model brand and bearing design. In any case if the pump appears to still be working, you wouldn't replace it until there was a sign of failure such as a bearing leak or inability to reach shut off pressure.
Water Pump Short Cycling – A Detailed Look
Causes of Water Pump Short Cycling
- Several possible reasons can cause the water pump to go on and off rapidly. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons that cause pump short cycling.
Need Help in Selecting The Right Pump?
- Water pump short cycling adversely affects water flow and your pump’s health. Also, over-pressurized water reservoirs can turn dangerous if not handled properly. In such cases, it is best to seek professional help. Hayes is a factory-trained and authorized repair center for a range of pump manufacturers. With years of troubleshooting experience, our highly skilled pump technici…