The neighbor says his 1 hp sump pump that is hooked up to his sewer drain runs for a 1/2 hour and sometimes doesn't even pump water....even when the pump is running. It was removed and tested and is pumping fine. Could it be to large of a pump?
Sump Pumps
- Thread starter Warstud
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Originally Posted By: Warstud
The neighbor says his 1 hp sump pump that is hooked up to his sewer drain runs for a 1/2 hour and sometimes doesn't even pump water....even when the pump is running. It was removed and tested and is pumping fine. Could it be to large of a pump?
My guess from here.... with out any more info, is that his drain line is clogged or partially clogged.
A larger than normal pump would not be a likely problem.
Hopefully its a grinder/pump.
The neighbor says his 1 hp sump pump that is hooked up to his sewer drain runs for a 1/2 hour and sometimes doesn't even pump water....even when the pump is running. It was removed and tested and is pumping fine. Could it be to large of a pump?
My guess from here.... with out any more info, is that his drain line is clogged or partially clogged.
A larger than normal pump would not be a likely problem.
Hopefully its a grinder/pump.
A one horse sump pump is BIG. Its more likely a sewage grinder. I would put into a garbage can and fill with water to make sure its working and then probably have to get a sewer snake and run down the sewage line. What about the anti flow back valve? I know sump pump system pretty well. Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems. Someone has got a brown trout stuck in the pipe probably
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It could be a bad float switch. The pump should only run when there is enough water.
Could the discharge pipe be frozen?
Originally Posted By: RhondaHonda
Could the discharge pipe be frozen?
Could be but what about the rest of the house system? If it not working there would be a mess in the rest of the house. Been there and now cover my septic tank and line to it.
Could the discharge pipe be frozen?
Could be but what about the rest of the house system? If it not working there would be a mess in the rest of the house. Been there and now cover my septic tank and line to it.
The purpose of a sump pump is to prevent flooding of the basement.
If the basement remains dry, then the pump is doing its job.
If the house waste line were frozen, collapsed or otherwise obstructed, then drains throughout the house would be backing up, including the toilets.
This leaves the float switch, which is causing the sump pump to run when there is nothing for it to pump.
A one horse sump pump is huge and would never run for half an hour straight unless the float or the switch is bad.
If the basement remains dry, then the pump is doing its job.
If the house waste line were frozen, collapsed or otherwise obstructed, then drains throughout the house would be backing up, including the toilets.
This leaves the float switch, which is causing the sump pump to run when there is nothing for it to pump.
A one horse sump pump is huge and would never run for half an hour straight unless the float or the switch is bad.
Originally Posted By: bioburner
A one horse sump pump is BIG. Its more likely a sewage grinder. I would put into a garbage can and fill with water to make sure its working and then probably have to get a sewer snake and run down the sewage line. What about the anti flow back valve? I know sump pump system pretty well. Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems. Someone has got a brown trout stuck in the pipe probably
What's a sewer grinder?
It was already tested and works fine.
A one horse sump pump is BIG. Its more likely a sewage grinder. I would put into a garbage can and fill with water to make sure its working and then probably have to get a sewer snake and run down the sewage line. What about the anti flow back valve? I know sump pump system pretty well. Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems. Someone has got a brown trout stuck in the pipe probably
What's a sewer grinder?
It was already tested and works fine.
Grinder is used in lifting a toilet sytem out of a basement usually and has to reduce the solids out of the catch basin-tank as it pumps. Could be as already stated that the float switch is funky. Not at all expensive to replace but one can simply hook it and move it up and down and see if it starts and stops.
The pump may be stopping because its overheating if the switch is sticking on.
The pump may be stopping because its overheating if the switch is sticking on.
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Originally Posted By: bioburner
Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems.
That's actually illegal and against code in many places, and a great way to end up with a flooded basement. Sump pump discharge should be routed outside and drain in the yard away from the house.
When we bought our house, the sump pump discharge was routed to a basement floor drain, which goes to the septic system.
Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems.
That's actually illegal and against code in many places, and a great way to end up with a flooded basement. Sump pump discharge should be routed outside and drain in the yard away from the house.
When we bought our house, the sump pump discharge was routed to a basement floor drain, which goes to the septic system.
The sewage grinder would be an effluent pump. Can handle certain solids. I have one for the liquid pumpout of the septic tank. Controlled by the pill switch. The sump pump is below grade in the basement and keeps the water line drawn down enough to keep it out of the basement. Most of those are now pumped out into the yard, I think code does not allowed to flow into the sewer anymore.
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: bioburner
Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems.
That's actually illegal and against code in many places, and a great way to end up with a flooded basement. Sump pump discharge should be routed outside and drain in the yard away from the house.
When we bought our house, the sump pump discharge was routed to a basement floor drain, which goes to the septic system.
Thats why I said usually not. Why treat clear water or overload city treatment systems. Twin cities has been getting most of the offenders piped into storm water systems
Originally Posted By: bioburner
Sumps usually are not put into sewer systems.
That's actually illegal and against code in many places, and a great way to end up with a flooded basement. Sump pump discharge should be routed outside and drain in the yard away from the house.
When we bought our house, the sump pump discharge was routed to a basement floor drain, which goes to the septic system.
Thats why I said usually not. Why treat clear water or overload city treatment systems. Twin cities has been getting most of the offenders piped into storm water systems
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Originally Posted By: bioburner
Grinder is used in lifting a toilet sytem out of a basement usually and has to reduce the solids out of the catch basin-tank as it pumps. Could be as already stated that the float switch is funky. Not at all expensive to replace but one can simply hook it and move it up and down and see if it starts and stops.
The pump may be stopping because its overheating if the switch is sticking on.
It's not a grinder....It's a sump pump that is NOT submersible. It sits above the floor and has apipe going down into a hole in the floor. He said sometimes the pump runs but doesn't pump water. He also said it has a pressure switch rather than a float.
Grinder is used in lifting a toilet sytem out of a basement usually and has to reduce the solids out of the catch basin-tank as it pumps. Could be as already stated that the float switch is funky. Not at all expensive to replace but one can simply hook it and move it up and down and see if it starts and stops.
The pump may be stopping because its overheating if the switch is sticking on.
It's not a grinder....It's a sump pump that is NOT submersible. It sits above the floor and has apipe going down into a hole in the floor. He said sometimes the pump runs but doesn't pump water. He also said it has a pressure switch rather than a float.
I don't know. To many things second hand and to many ways to descibe a switch to be sure of anything. A pedestal pump would have a pipe comming out of the hole with the motor on top but is activated by a switch with a float on a rod. A preasure switch measures the output of a pump.
This where a picture is worth a thousand words
This where a picture is worth a thousand words
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Im glad i don't have pumps anywhere.. I turn on my water and it's always working although now that i am talking about it...
This story and my personal history with sump pumps are why I will never have another house with a basement.
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