If you live in an area where the low-lying parts of your home are susceptible to flooding, a sump pump can be your defense against the accumulation of excess water.
A sump pump is a submersible device that is installed at the lowest point in your basement or crawl spaces. When enough water accumulates to trigger the float switch, the system pumps the water out of your basement and away from your home.
If you notice that your sump pump is running often, you may be concerned that it will burn out. In this article, the plumbing experts at Stang Plumbing & Heating discuss why your sump pump may run more than usual and what problems to look out for.
Reasons Your Sump Pump May Be Running More
Your sump pump should only run when there is a significant amount of water in your basement, which may be different depending on your location or the time of year.
Regardless, if you notice that your sump pump seems to be running more than usual, it could be due to one of these common reasons:
- Heavy rainfall or melting snow
- Groundwater levels rising
- Clogged or blocked discharge pipe
- Malfunctioning float switch
- Inadequate pump size for your home’s needs
Problems That Can Cause Your Sump Pump to Run Too Much
If you’re wondering why your sump pump is running so often, even though there is little standing water in your basement, you could have an issue.
Things like jammed float switches, blocked discharge pipes, and faulty check valves can all cause your system to run more than necessary. Signs that you may need professional repairs include:
- Sump pump cycling on and off frequently
- Strange noises or vibrations coming from the pump
- Water not draining from the sump pit
- Visible signs of wear or damage on the pump
- Increased energy bills
In order to determine what is really causing your system to run every 15 minutes, it’s best to call a professional for inspection and repairs.
A plumber with extensive experience working with sump pumps will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and determine the necessary next steps to get your sump pump back to running at peak performance.