Should water be coming into my sump pump basin all the time, is this excessive?

Question

I just bought a house that has a sump pump (which is new to us)and when we are there we can see clear water pouring into my sump pump basin all the time (constant). which causes the sump pump to come on every 3-5 min. Is this to excessive or is that just how it is. My house is 10 years old and it sits on a hill but my basment of course is partly under ground. We also have a spetic system. But we arn't living there yet so it hasnt had much use yet. We also have city water I was thinking that the water pipe might be leaking somwhere befor the water meater, but i dont know. What can we do? Please help?

Answer 1

The easiest way is to inquire of the neighbors concerning the water table. Did you or the owner have a home inspector? He would be my next recourse. Is there evidence of water damage in the basement? Are you in a flood zone? If so, I would immediately acquire flood insurance. The problem with 2 sump pumps is they are both electric, you are unprotected in a blackout, either one must have a battery back up or, they make a pump that runs on domestic water, creating a vacuum in the pipe, to learn more check 'This Old House' archives. Possibility, if the water is domestic from a leak, the water authority could be responsible. Possibility, the water pumped out from the sump is not being directed away from the house and you are pumping the same water back in. Inquire of local landscapers about the water table. Go to the local authority and try to obtain the original blueprints. Lastly, if this is a preexisting fault, see how you are protected by contract. Good Luck!

Answer 2

the sump pump may run often my neibour had there house in the subdivion on top of a place the a creek used to run .
the builder just dug the foundation ran pumps all the time got the fondation done and then built a house . the people had no idea there home was on top of a creek . that pump ran like that for 20 years and i suppose it still does i dont live there anymore.
other problems can cause this too does you home have the ground slope away from the house . is the sump pump putting the water far enough away that it is not just going back done into the ground that is just left.
at any rate. i can tell you this i had another house in a town that all the homes that were built were in water and they had the pumps going to make the foundation all the same stuff.
but when i bought the house i did not think hey what if the pump fails. well it did fail and when i got home there was water up too the second step on the stairs.
solution have two pumps one can be set to up in the same hole but higher so it only comes on if the other fails or is over worked.

Answer 3

If the house has perimeter drain tile that empties into the sump pit, it could run a lot. Depending on how high the water table is, recent weather, etc. Make sure the surrounding grading is sloped adequately to allow for proper drainage away from the foundation and gutters & downspouts are properly installed. Once the area is dry, the pit should no longer fill continually. It can be a seasonal thing, coming and going. Make sure the pump is in good condition, as you do not want a basement full of water. Feel free to email me with any other questions. Good luck.

Answer 4

the sump pump should only have water comming into the basin after or during a rain and depending on how bad a rain it may come in for a day after the rain

Answer 5

Water should not be coming in all the time. Sounds like the people who sold you the house sold a house with a preexisting condition. I bet they are glad to be out.

Answer 6

depending on where you live you could have a stream under your house or bad drainage around your home
since you already bought the house contact the previous homeowners and ask them how often this pump functioned.