Plumber for sump pump needed

[El_flasko]

My sump pump is literally going off every minute or two. I know the rain is heavy but that doesn't seem right. My neighbor had a "heavy duty" pump installed a couple years ago but didn't have the guys contact Info. I'd rather look here first. Pm or email me if you're local.

Thanks!!

Ryan

 

[Reaper812]

Arthur M Black Inc Plumbing
301-776-7520
Kevin is a great guy, he should help you out.

 

[crowmd]

the best pump I have found is Zoeller pumps m53 just put a quick connect in the line so you can easily change the pump

 

[PJDiesel]

How handy are you? Sound as if your check valve could be hung open.

 

[El_flasko]

How handy are you? Sound as if your check valve could be hung open.

Not very to be honest. I can finance the hell out of homes just don't mess with plumbing or electric in them as a rule.

 

[Reaper812]

If you do call Kevin, tell him wayne ayers told you about him.

 

[PJDiesel]

Basically, there's a spring ball or gravity check flapper in the vertical pipe. If it's missing or damaged you'll hear a rush of water re-enter the sump pit just after the pump shuts off, causing it to cycle a lot more frequently than it really should.

That, and a float set too high, causing a short cycle. You want that pump to run as long as it needs, then be off as long as possible.

 

[coopermania]

Basically, there's a spring ball or gravity check flapper in the vertical pipe. If it's missing or damaged you'll hear a rush of water re-enter the sump pit just after the pump shuts off, causing it to cycle a lot more frequently than it really should.

That, and a float set too high, causing a short cycle. You want that pump to run as long as it needs, then be off as long as possible.

Yepp, Or a shitload of water is filling up your sump pit and it needs to run that much.
Go and watch the pump work and see where the water is coming from.
Does the discharge dump the water far away from the home ?
If not the water just might be recycling on itself, dumping right outside of the house and running right back down to the sump pit and start over again.
If it is in a basement it might not have a check valve and need one installed.

 

[El_flasko]

I know we get a decent amount of water in general and the pump will run fairly often. I had the side of my home re-graded seven or so years ago and we tied in my sump and down spouts into my neighbors set, he had a main pipe run the length of my backyard to get the water away. Now the rear and other side don't "seem" like they're graded poorly so I think the shear amount of rain/saturation combined with a pump or valve on its last leg is where I'm at.

My good friends father just called me bitching at me bc I forgot this is his profession. He's coming over tomorrow to take a look and the. We'll do whatever is needed to make it right.

Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it.

 

[davsco]

just unscrew the cover and it's real easy to see what is going on in the pit. if the pit is filling and the pump is getting rid of the water, no problem. other than that, probably a problem.

 

[CorpsmanUp]

Mine used to go off every 30 seconds or so during heavy rains.

I did some landscaping and added some flexible hosing to the ends of my drains and it helped a lot.

It is normal for it to run if the sump pit is filling up rapidly.

That being said. You should have some type of backup. A lot of people recommend battery backups. I don't.

Why? Batteries have a finite power supply. If it goes and your power doesn't return, you're screwed.

Some then recommend a generator. I recommend one as well, but not for your sump backup. Same reason, you run out of gas you're screwed.

** This will only work if you're on city water **

I have a water powered backup. It comes on when power goes out and it trips the secondary height meter. It is similar to flushing a toilet. Each time the sump pit fills it is flushed out.

I had the thing run for 16 hours straight. Everyone on my cul de sac had a flooded basement - I didn't. My water bill only went up a few dollars that month.

If you don't have city water then I suggest a backup battery and generator system.

 

[pbharvey]

Arthur M Black Inc Plumbing
301-776-7520
Kevin is a great guy, he should help you out.

Is Artie still around, did he sell his business?
He's a good plumber.

 

[Reaper812]

Is Artie still around, did he sell his business?
He's a good plumber.

Yeah, he helps his son now part time

 

[kingfish]

Mine used to go off every 30 seconds or so during heavy rains.

I did some landscaping and added some flexible hosing to the ends of my drains and it helped a lot.

It is normal for it to run if the sump pit is filling up rapidly.

That being said. You should have some type of backup. A lot of people recommend battery backups. I don't.

Why? Batteries have a finite power supply. If it goes and your power doesn't return, you're screwed.

Some then recommend a generator. I recommend one as well, but not for your sump backup. Same reason, you run out of gas you're screwed.

** This will only work if you're on city water **

I have a water powered backup. It comes on when power goes out and it trips the secondary height meter. It is similar to flushing a toilet. Each time the sump pit fills it is flushed out.

I had the thing run for 16 hours straight. Everyone on my cul de sac had a flooded basement - I didn't. My water bill only went up a few dollars that month.

If you don't have city water then I suggest a backup battery and generator system.

Nice idea. Can it be added to an existing sump without tearing out the concrete? Please elaborate

 

[PJDiesel]

Well? You treading water or what......

 

[Minuteman]

I'm no plumber, not very handy to be honest; but I've been able to troubleshoot and replace two sumps in my home. I just watched a bunch of YouTube videos, and did it myself. I agree with Zoeller, cast-iron , but even had one of these mysteriously die on me, thankfully I had a backup and easily swapped it out.

Sounds like some debris might be fouling up the works, take off the cover and make sure nothing is blocking the intakes, or the arm. If you do swap it out, keep your old sump pump as an emergency backup.

 

[El_flasko]

Jaybeez of mds came stopped by and walked me thru his thoughts. I'm going to replace the pump to be proactive but the issues were more external than internal. Thanks to all for you input

 

[CorpsmanUp]

Nice idea. Can it be added to an existing sump without tearing out the concrete? Please elaborate

Yes.

My water powered backup was installed after the fact.

You do, however, have to tie into your existing water supply. The plumber put a T in with a valve to shut if off if needed.

You have to run a parallel pvc pipe up the wall from the sump pit and out through the existing wall.

I never worry about the power going out during storm, now.

The pump was around $150 and install was a couple of hundred. I had some other work done so I don't remember the exact price.

 

[CorpsmanUp]

How far away from the house does it discharge?

Mine had nothing and would complete a cycle in less than 2 minutes. Literally right outside the wall. Called Miss Utility, dug a trench and added 20 feet to send it down hill and away. Also did the gutter downspout while I was at it. Now sump rarely runs.

Good stuff as well.

If you aren't discharging the ejected water far enough it could be getting water that makes it back down to the pit.

Adding extenders to your gutter downspouts can help a lot as well. More water that you get away from your foundation the better.

 

[Tebonski]

Jaybeez of mds came stopped by and walked me thru his thoughts. I'm going to replace the pump to be proactive but the issues were more external than internal. Thanks to all for you input

What needs to be done? Grading? Gutter cleaning? Backup pump? Check valve?

I feel the gutter cleaning is mandatory a few times a year. I replace my pump every five years or so for the peace of mind I get. Yeah I might be wasting two hundred bucks but so what. Repace the check valve too, cheap insurance. I love the Zoeller 53 but there are other really decent pumps out there in the same price range. the Zoeller is built like a tank and I love the switch. Most pumps fail because of bad switches especially float switches. Outside grading is also something to always look at. And once every year or two get into your pit, remove all the water and check your pump intake for stones, remove the stones that have migrated into your pit.

For years my pump would run every two minutes for 18 seconds during heavy rains. Did some water mitigation and now the sump pump only goes off when I fill the pit with three gallons of water or it drains from the air conditioning moisture.

Last. Home Depot sells a water alarm for 10 bucks plus a 9 volt battery. everyone should have one next to their sump pit. Something goes wrong and you're asleep you can manually bail or get a small boat bildge pump and pump until power is restored. Only helps if you're at home.

Both neighbors have inexpensive Basement Watchdog backup battery pumps that I've seen work during the hurricanes and power outages. For about $225.00 you cannot beat them, better than nothing, get the biggest deep cycle battery you can afford and check it monthly.

Stay dry everyone!