Sump Pumps Archives - Fox Valley Backflow and Plumbing

Sump Pump Keeps Running On and Off

When the system in your home starts to run continuously, it becomes one of the more frequent causes of a sump pump failure.

Continuous operation can cause a sump pump system to overheat and malfunction. This is particularly true if your sump pump is operating when the pit is dry because the water will help your system cool off while it is operating.

If the problem is addressed quickly, the majority of problems with continuously operating sump pump systems have straightforward causes and straightforward fixes.

Sump pumps typically operate intermittently, as required. However, occasionally they operate continuously, which raises electricity costs, causes them to age much more quickly than they should, and may even burn out the motor.

Why a Sump Pump Is Necessary

A sump pump’s job is to pump water out of a basement. Naturally, there isn’t water in the basement normally. Unless a flood occurs. Or, in some instances, a lot of rain combined with a poor slope that allows water to flow into your cellar.

The sump pump is there to remove the water in case of a flood or a severe downpour even if you don’t have a finished basement because items can still get damaged with water in the cellar or crawlspace.

However, the sump pump is normally off and shouldn’t be running unless there is a high level of water.

What a Sump Pump Usually Does

The majority of typical sump pumps are submersibles, installed in liners within sump pits with gravel bases dug into basement or crawl space corners.

Any water that may leak in is drained into the sump pit. However, if water is coming in too quickly and the pit can’t drain, water rises inside the liner and fills the pump to the point where the float valve on the pump is activated. When that occurs, the sump pump activates to force extra water into a discharge pipe that exits the home foundation and travels to an area outside. The discharge pipe is tilted upward because it is built below grade, which would ordinarily allow gravity to allow the water to flow back in. A check valve stops any water in the pipe from going back into the pit and potentially into your basement in order to avoid this.

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What Causes a Sump Pump to Cycle On and Off?

Here are a few causes for a sump pump to continue operating:

The “on” position of the float switch becomes stuck.
The float switch becomes stuck to the side of the liner and is unable to function.
The check valve on the sump pump could be malfunctioning or broken. The water that the check valve typically empties into the outlet pipe washes back into the sump pit if it is broken, reactivating the float valve and the pump. Your sump pump will continue to operate as a result.
The size of your liner or sump pump is incorrect. If the pump is either tiny or too weak, it must run nonstop to remove water that accumulates in the liner. The pump has to run more frequently if the liner is too tiny since it fills up with water more rapidly.
The sump pit is filthy and overflowing with trash. The garbage is sucked up by the sump pump, which causes the mechanical components to get clogged and unclean and stop functioning correctly.
There may occasionally be a high water table or an underground spring that supplies the sump pit with water regularly.

Possible Solutions If Your Sump Pump Is Constantly Running

The float switch should be the first place you check if your sump pump won’t turn off. Take these actions:

Start the sump pump.
Make sure the float switch is not fastened to the liner.
Untangle it if it is pinned so that it can readily move with the water level.
It probably has to be changed if you discover that it is not tangled and can move freely. One can be bought online or at a hardware shop.
Remove the old switch by unplugging it. Put the new switch in its place.
To secure the new switch to the sump pump, use a plastic tie. It will be able to float up and down with the water level thanks to this.

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Well, if the sump pump is older than 7 to 10 years, you should probably replace it. Its usable life has likely come to an end, especially if you notice corrosion around the base.

If the sump pit is filled with a lot of debris, clear it out. Shut off the sump pump and do your best to remove any debris. If the sump pump isn’t turning on and off all the time, turn it back and see if that helps.

April 16, 2023/0 Comments/by Fox Valley - Author

Sump Pumps

Why Sewage Ejector Pump Is Needed, How It Works and How to Install One in Illinois

What Is A Sewage Ejector Pump?

A sewage ejector pump is an underwater or submersible pump that helps to move liquid or semi-liquid waste from washing machines, laundry, or bathrooms situated in the basements of the house. Houses of Chicago, Wheaton, Elgin, etc. in Illinois have their laundry in the basements, and an ejector pump is a must in these houses.

How Does A Sewage Ejector Pump Work?

A sewage ejector pump works the same as a sump pump. The difference between a sump pump and a sewage ejector pump is that a sump pump suctions water in the basement that accumulated because of rain, and a sewage ejector ejects wastewater from washing machines or bathrooms in basements. In an ordinary house, wastewater from the kitchen or bathroom goes through the normal sewage or plumbing line and drains in the central septic or municipal line outside the home. However, when a house has a laundry system like a washing machine or bathroom in the basement lower than the actual ground, the wastewater does not go directly to the main septic line as it is placed on the ground level, as it is lower than that. In moments like these, a sewage ejector pump helps to eject by lifting the wastewater at the ground level and throwing the water into the septic or municipal sewage line.

Sewage ejector pumps sit on a basin-like sump placed on the ground by digging it. It has multiple valves that get aware of the level of wastewater. The sump basin can hold approximately 28 to 30 gallons of water, depending on the type of pump. The outlet line or pipe is 2 to 4 inches long, connecting the pump with a 3 to 6 inches long central septic or municipal line. As the sewage ejector pumps are installed in basements, a vent is necessary to vent out the sewage gasses to equalize the pressure of pumping. This vent comes outside with a pit and connects with a pipe that helps to ventilate the gases.

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How Much Does A Sewage Ejector Pump Cost?

For an average residential, a sewage ejector pump can cost from $300 to $1000, depending on its type, horsepower motor etc., and the installation charge depends on the technician or the plumber. Usually, these pumps do not need any maintenance but once a year. A professional technician or plumber can inspect the pump to see if it needs any changes.

Does Your House Need A Sewage Ejector Pump?

In Illinois, cities like Elgin, Chicago, Wheaton, etc., have houses with basement laundries, dryers and bathrooms. A sewage ejector pump is necessary to eject the wastewater from these. Moreover, it also reduces the pressure of the regular sewage line. So, if your house’s laundry system is situated in the basement, a sewage ejector pump is a must for you.

How to Install a Sewage Ejector Pump?

For the installation of a sump pump, it is better to have a professional technician or plumber who will install the pump as per the house or commercial place needed.

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October 26, 2022/0 Comments/by Fox Valley - Author

Sump Pumps

Wheaton, IL Sump Pump, How It Works, Types, Costs, Benefits and Installation

A sump pump is a device that helps suction water to keep the lower point or the basement of a house dry and avoid floods. This sump is a naturally built pit that is usually a curved hole underneath the main exterior of the basement floor. This pit is called a basin, holding the sump pump and valves to sense the water level. Whenever it rises, it automatically pumps or suctions the water and throws it away in a drainage system or dry well. Generally, the cold states install the sump pump more as the snowfall causes floods when it melts. More specifically, in Wheaton, IL, each home has a sump pump to suction water so the basement can be dry and no mould or mildew can grow.

How does the Sump Pump Work?

The technician or the plumbers install a sump pump at a house’s lower point or basement because there is a high chance of a flood there. Most of the time, the pump is on standby. Whenever heavy rain or snowfall happens in places like Wheaton, IL, the pit, a curved hole-like basin that holds the pump, starts to get full of the excess water from the oversaturated soil. The valves that can sense the water level of the pumps detect the rising water, and the switch that is connected with the pump activates the mechanism so that it can pump out the excess water and through it with the help of a line called effluent, which connects with the drainage system, or dry well. The designated area for draining the water should be 10 to 20 feet away from the house’s foundation.

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Types of Sump Pump and Cost

There are four types of sump pumps, depending on the necessity, usage, place, and cost, with distinctive differences; submersible sump pumps, pedestal sump pumps, battery-operated sump pumps, and water-powered sump pumps. They have different mechanisms than one another. They can cost 100$ to 400$ for a house and 500$ to 1000$ for commercial usage. Also, installation can cost 600$ to 3000$ depending on professional installation.

What Are The Benefits of Sump Pump?

A sump pump keeps the basement of a house dry in areas like Wheaton, IL, as the place has a high snowfall record. Without a sump pump, the basement can get damp and hazardous mould, mildew, or fungus can grow, which questions the healthy house environment. It keeps the basement supplies like washing machines or dryers safe. It improves the air quality indoors and helps to reduce the musty smell. Also, it helps to keep the foundation intact and discourages the invasion of insects.

How to install a sump pump?

For the installation of a sump pump, it is better to have a professional technician or plumber who will install the pump as per the house or commercial place needed.

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October 12, 2022/0 Comments/by Fox Valley - Author

Sump Pumps

Schaumburg, Il – Sump Pump Repair & Installation

Before & After Sump Pump Installation

Before

After

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August 26, 2022/0 Comments/by Matt Plumber

Commercial Plumbing Services, Residential Plumbing, Sump Pumps

Best Practices in Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Home

sump-pump-ejector-pump-elgin-il

How do you decide which sump pump is best for you?

There are several cheap units available in hardware stores but should you get them? As with other things, cheap units will cost you several hundred dollars more.

Does every home need a sump pump?

Every area doesn’t need a sum pump as per law. If your house hasn’t seen standing water for considerably long periods, a sump pump isn’t necessary. But if the house feels damp or has seen flooding, a sump pump should be considered. Apart from waterproofing, a sump pump will make the environment healthier and save any appliances or other possessions.

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But what is a sump pump?

This pump remains buried in a tub under the basement floor and collects and discharges water to prevent water from flooding the home. If you need to check before deciding to get a sump pump, plaster a few strips of plastic tape onto the wall and leave it in there for two-three days. Do this in several places and when you peel off the plastic layer, a wet wall will tell you what you seek to know.

In modern constructions, the pump is fed by drain lines placed under the house and around the foundation wall. In earlier constructions, retrofit pumps were used that had drain lines feeding the pump.
Irrespective of the type, the sum pump works to keep the water from flooding the house.

Which type of pump should you buy?

There are two types of pumps: Pedestal and Submersible
• Manual or automatic – choose which type of pump you would prefer. Manual may save you money, but automatic is better.
• Float type – tether or vertical.
• Housing material – cast iron, stainless steel, thermoplastic, aluminum, etc. Probably the stronger the housing, the better the unit.
• Gallons per hour flow – if you live with a high water table, or where there is a lot of rain, more gallons per hour are important.
• Backup and alarm systems – what you prefer will be based on your lifestyle.
• Motor amps – like the vacuum cleaner, the higher the amperage the stronger the motor. Consider 12amps, but fewer than 10amps would probably not serve you long.
• Horsepower – the most popular units, and those recommended by most professionals, are 1/2 to 1/3HP. For minor problems, there is no need to go overboard.
• Discharge port size. A 2″ pipe is usually the largest you can find.
• Price range. Again, you get what you pay for. Online you can find a good cast-iron submersible, 1/2HP unit, with a vertical float, for $200 – $300. Shop around and purchase when you find the best fit.
These are some of the points to keep in mind when looking for a sump pump.