Sump Pumps

[dlundblad]

The pump being on, but not "pumping" would cause the motor to get pretty hot. Have you felt it while it was trying to pump?

I personally prefer a pedestal as opposed to a pump as I feel they offer the most bang per buck gallon per min wise. I also prefer the allowed travel of the float since it's the on/ off vs. the cycle time that kills them.

Maybe I missed it, but maybe your neighbor just has that much of a water issue. Your OP says it sometimes runs for 30 minutes and it doesn't pump water.

 

[seanf]

sounds like it needs a foot valve at the bottom of the pipe to keep the pump primed which is probably why its running for a half hour and not pumping

 

[Warstud]

This is what I'm thinking. The pump (1 hp) is pumping water at a faster rate (80 Gallons Per Minute) than the sewer pipes can drain. That is why it runs for 30 minutes. And why the pump runs and doesn't appear to be pumping any water. Sound Right?

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: seanf
sounds like it needs a foot valve at the bottom of the pipe to keep the pump primed which is probably why its running for a half hour and not pumping


You maybe right.

 

[dlundblad]

Just seems odd if that's the case.

Was it just installed?

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Carbon
It could be a bad float switch. The pump should only run when there is enough water.


+1, I had this issue where sometimes it would stick. I'd just reach down and giggle it a few times and it would usually be fine for awhile.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Ours discharges outside and I could see how they could freeze if not plumbed properly. The rest of the house could be fine but the sump discharge is usually uninsulated and above ground. I vote for frozen discharge or an impeller that came loose inside the pump.

 

[TWG1572]

My sump did exactly the same thing about 5 years ago. When I noticed it, the water in the pit was noticeably hot to the touch from the heat of the engine. My issue was airlock in the discharge pipe. Whoever installed it did not drill a weep hole in the pipe, and I got airlock between the check valve and pump. Might consider that.