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What To Do When Your Sump Pump Keeps Running

Your sump pump should turn off when water levels drop. If it stays on all the time, there’s probably something wrong with one of the components.

When your sump pump keeps running, it can overheat and break down. That means you won’t be able to move water away from your home properly, which can stress your foundation and cause structural problems.

Below, learn what to do if your sump pump won’t turn off and how a basement waterproofing expert like Groundworks can solve this issue.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Under normal circumstances, a sump pump system should operate in the following way:

  • A sump pit or basin, installed at the lowest point of your basement or crawl space, collects water.
  • As water fills the pit, a float switch detects the amount of liquid inside and alerts the pump to turn on when water reaches a certain level.
  • At this point, the pump starts to move water out of the pit via a discharge line and redirects it to a location outside your home.
  • When the float switch detects that water levels are dropping, it alerts the pump to turn off.

Why Does My Sump Pump Keep Running?

The most common reason for a sump pump running constantly is that the float switch has stopped working. This might happen if it gets jammed in the “on” position.

If this is the case, your sump pump may continue running even when there’s no more water to expel from the sump pit or basin. Eventually, the pump’s motor might overheat or malfunction.

Other reasons your sump pump keeps running include:

  • A broken check valve: Your discharge line might have a check valve that prevents water from flowing back into your home. If the check valve stops working, water might re-enter the sump pit and re-trigger the pump. This constant back-and-forth can cause the pump to operate continuously.
  • Blocked discharge pipe: When your discharge pipe becomes clogged or frozen, your pump might have to work harder to dispel water away from your home. This can cause it to stay on for long periods.
  • High water table: If your home is in an area with a high water table, groundwater might repeatedly enter the sump pit, causing the pump to run continuously. Local areas with high water tables include Toronto’s waterfront, Markham, and Richmond Hill. 

Calling in a basement waterproofing professional like Groundworks helps you identify the cause of your malfunctioning sump pump system so you can benefit from the best repair solutions. If you have a broken unit, our team can replace it with a new one.

How To Fix Your Sump Pump

Fixing a sump pump running constantly may involve:

  • Repairing a float switch that no longer works
  • Replacing a damaged check valve
  • Removing dirt and debris from a clogged discharge line
  • Installing an anti-freeze discharge line attachment if your sump pump is prone to freezing

While you might want to fix your sump pump yourself, it’s best to leave things to the experts. Trying to replace a faulty part or cleaning your unit might do additional damage that results in more expensive repairs.

Count On Groundworks To Solve Your Sump Pump Problems

If your sump pump keeps running, it can eventually overheat and stop working, meaning you won’t be able to move water away from your home.

Contact our team as soon as you notice this issue. We can identify the root cause of the problem and recommend the best solutions.

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Conor Battles

Conor Battles

Content Writer

Conor is a content writer and SEO coordinator for Groundworks with years of media experience across a variety of channels, including in home services and interior design. He’s passionate about using digital storytelling to help homeowners envision the ideal space for their unique needs. While based in Northeast Ohio, Conor was born and raised in New England and enjoys the outdoors, local music, and old movies.