My Sump Pump runs every 40-50 seconds. How can I fix this so it does not burn out?

Question

I have a submersible pump (1/2 hp) with out an external float (it appears that there is a switch on the side of the pump that triggers it to kick on). When I unplug the pump, the water stops flowing in at the level of the drain pipe and stops completely. When I look outside of the house, the pvc pipe runs underground for about 30 feet until it reaches a sizable puddle in the back yard that swells when the pump runs, then recedes when it shuts off. I have a partial unfinished basement with a small lake ~1/2 an acre away. The sump pump itself appears to be deep in the well as opposed to previous homes that I have owned (~7-10 inches below the water drain). I am worried that at a time of crisis (strong rain) that the sump will burn out because it runs too often when the weather is dry. I am new to the house as we moved in ~2 weeks ago. We live in northern Illinois. Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

If I understand you correctly, it sounds like the water is reaching a level at this point and current weather conditions. Sounds like you could afford to raise the float a couple inches.

Another thing that can trigger frequent pump cycles is if it resides in a small diameter hole and either has no check valve or debris is preventing the backflow in this valve. In this situation some volume of water reamining in the discharge flows back into the hole and trips the float, either immediately, or shortly after the normal flow of ground water creeps in.

You might want to add a second pump. There are even 12 volt ones that you supply the car battery and mount it above your existing one. If the power fails, it can kick in. Or if you do have power but there's too much water for the primary, this one can help it when the water rises.

Answer 2

most pumpburn out when it isnt being usued as freakuently most use the water its pumping to cool the motor like a car does with radiator fluid . your pump will continue to run unless you raise the whole pump up. all the water your pumping in ground water and there is too much for it to go away esp. during a storm. my suggestion is to unplug the pump wait for the water to rise to normal level pull up the pumpand fill the sump until the float raises and set it at what height you are concerned at then you know when the water getthat that high it will be pumped and not reach for basement floor and at the same time it wont be killing itself to extract the water level of your area doing this will make the pump concerned of only the water that is above the normal water level

Answer 3

The only solution to reduce the frequency of the pump activation is to add a float to the switch and raise the float higher so that it waits until there is more water in the sump basin to turn on. Rigging this depends on the pump model; if you contact the manufacturer their standard instructions will include diagrams for rigging a float.

If you want to avoid flooding during heavy weather the standard solution is to buy a backup pump, and also to loop both pumps through a backup battery or generator in case the power fails. Wiring and plumbing that is a bit of a project, though most pumps come with instructions for that kind of fail-safe install.

Answer 4

Have you checked to see if there is a check valve on the discharge of the sump pump? If there isn't one the water your pumping out is coming right back in through the pipe and pump.

Answer 5

There is a check valve right before the pump;only lets water flow one way,it sounds like the check is bad and is letting water seep back through causing the pump to kick on. Thats where i would put my money!

Answer 6

Only rising water can cause it to kick on unless it is faulty. You might try raising it up higher. If no water problems, leave it at that level.