[det1015]

I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so the pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out to see if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I sat and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can here the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------




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[Bob F]

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump
pump in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is
backing up. My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump
crock so the pump runs frequently and has never backed up before. I
checked it out to see if the float was maybe lodged on something and
it seems fine. I started taking the water out and emptying it into a
bucket but no matter how much water I take out of the crock the water
doesnt get any lower. So I sat and watched to see what the pump was
doing. It will kick on and I can here the water draining through a
pipe in the basement wall but it will only run for about a minute and
drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it stops the same
amount of water runs right back into the crock from the drain pipe
and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt be any
backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015

If the float switch is working right, the pump may be tripping an internal
protection switch. If you are using it for laundry water, maybe some thread or
cloth has gotten into it and is binding up the impellor.

What happens when you manually operate the switch?

[IGot2P]

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so the pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out to see if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I sat and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can here the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

By chance is their a check valve in the pump drain pipe that is not
working thus allowing back flow?

[det1015]

det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369458-.htm
:
There is a check valve on the drain pipe but I am not sure how to tell if
this is the problem and if it is what do I do about it? Since there is a
check valve the only way for backflow to be happening is if the valve is
bad or is there anything else that could cause it?
det1015
-------------------------------------
IGot2P wrote:

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through
spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the
sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is
backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so
the pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out
to see if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I
started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter
how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I
sat and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can
here the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will
only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then
stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from
the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there
shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

By chance is their a check valve in the pump drain pipe that is not
working thus allowing back flow?







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[det1015]

det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369452-.htm
:

det1015
-------------------------------------
Bob F wrote:

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through
spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the
sump
pump in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is
backing up. My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump
pump
crock so the pump runs frequently and has never backed up before.
I
checked it out to see if the float was maybe lodged on something
and
it seems fine. I started taking the water out and emptying it into
a
bucket but no matter how much water I take out of the crock the
water
doesnt get any lower. So I sat and watched to see what the pump
was
doing. It will kick on and I can here the water draining through a
pipe in the basement wall but it will only run for about a minute
and
drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it stops the
same
amount of water runs right back into the crock from the drain pipe
and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt be
any
backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015

If the float switch is working right, the pump may be tripping an
internal
protection switch. If you are using it for laundry water, maybe some
thread or
cloth has gotten into it and is binding up the impellor.

What happens when you manually operate the switch?

The sump pump is fully under water because it is one that is mounted to
the bottom of the crock and the crock is full. The float is not on a small
electrical line like most that I have seen. It is underneath a lip on the
pump and is attached by a 3-4" long thin metal rod...when the float rises
on the metal rod and reaches the lip on the pump it kicks on. Well the
float is at the top of the metal rod (due to the pump being fully
submerged) and the pump will not stay on for longer than a minute at a
time. I have pulled the float down and back up and the pump does nothing.





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[Bob F]

det1015 wrote:
det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369458-.htm

There is a check valve on the drain pipe but I am not sure how to
tell if this is the problem and if it is what do I do about it? Since
there is a check valve the only way for backflow to be happening is
if the valve is bad or is there anything else that could cause it?
det1015
-------------------------------------
IGot2P wrote:

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through
spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the
sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is
backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so
the pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out
to see if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I
started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter
how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I
sat and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can
here the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will
only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then
stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from
the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there
shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

By chance is their a check valve in the pump drain pipe that is not
working thus allowing back flow?







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[Steve Barker[_5_]]

det1015 wrote:
det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369452-.htm
:

det1015
-------------------------------------
Bob F wrote:

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through
spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the
sump
pump in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is
backing up. My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump
pump
crock so the pump runs frequently and has never backed up before.
I
checked it out to see if the float was maybe lodged on something
and
it seems fine. I started taking the water out and emptying it into
a
bucket but no matter how much water I take out of the crock the
water
doesnt get any lower. So I sat and watched to see what the pump
was
doing. It will kick on and I can here the water draining through a
pipe in the basement wall but it will only run for about a minute
and
drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it stops the
same
amount of water runs right back into the crock from the drain pipe
and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt be
any
backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015

If the float switch is working right, the pump may be tripping an
internal
protection switch. If you are using it for laundry water, maybe some
thread or
cloth has gotten into it and is binding up the impellor.

What happens when you manually operate the switch?

The sump pump is fully under water because it is one that is mounted to
the bottom of the crock and the crock is full. The float is not on a small
electrical line like most that I have seen. It is underneath a lip on the
pump and is attached by a 3-4" long thin metal rod...when the float rises
on the metal rod and reaches the lip on the pump it kicks on. Well the
float is at the top of the metal rod (due to the pump being fully
submerged) and the pump will not stay on for longer than a minute at a
time. I have pulled the float down and back up and the pump does nothing.





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##-----------------------------------------------##

Sounds like you are ready for a new pump.

s

[Bob F]

det1015 wrote:
det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369452-.htm


det1015
-------------------------------------
Bob F wrote:

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through
spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the
sump
pump in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is
backing up. My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump
pump
crock so the pump runs frequently and has never backed up before.
I
checked it out to see if the float was maybe lodged on something
and
it seems fine. I started taking the water out and emptying it into
a
bucket but no matter how much water I take out of the crock the
water
doesnt get any lower. So I sat and watched to see what the pump
was
doing. It will kick on and I can here the water draining through a
pipe in the basement wall but it will only run for about a minute
and
drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it stops the
same
amount of water runs right back into the crock from the drain pipe
and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt be
any
backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015

If the float switch is working right, the pump may be tripping an
internal
protection switch. If you are using it for laundry water, maybe some
thread or
cloth has gotten into it and is binding up the impellor.

What happens when you manually operate the switch?

The sump pump is fully under water because it is one that is mounted
to the bottom of the crock and the crock is full. The float is not on
a small electrical line like most that I have seen. It is underneath
a lip on the pump and is attached by a 3-4" long thin metal
rod...when the float rises on the metal rod and reaches the lip on
the pump it kicks on. Well the float is at the top of the metal rod
(due to the pump being fully submerged) and the pump will not stay on
for longer than a minute at a time. I have pulled the float down and
back up and the pump does nothing.


So, the float is way under water, and the water never drops down to the float
level? Does the pump cycle regularly, without ever moving the float? If so,
something else is causing the pump to turn off after a short run time, which
takes us back to a thermal protection switch or some such thing.

Does it just keep cycling for the same short period, over and over? A short time
on, and longer time off, with little change in water level from after the pipe
drains back until it turns on again? Again, something binding the impeller could
activate a thermal protection switch.

Can you disconnect the output and see if it keeps pumping then? Does it continue
running then? Is the water flow good? Look for a plugged outlet pipe then.

Does water come out of the outside pipe?

If you unplug the pump for ten minutes so it can cool off good, then plug it in
again, does it start pumping right away? Does pushing the float down quickly
stop it? Multiple times? This would suggest that the switch is good.

[[email protected]]

Since the pump only takes out about half the water before stopping, it
sounds like the float switch either needs to be adjusted or
replaced. It should empty most of the water before turning off.

Second, if you're sure the water is running back in from the drain
line, as opposed to the sump pit refilling with water running in from
perimeter drains, ground water, etc, then the check valve is not
working. But given it's Spring thaw and heavy rain, the pit may just
be refilling with normal ground water.

Since it sounds like this pump is critical and it's age and condition
is unknown, if it were me, I'd probably replace it. And I'd also
install a second backup pump that has a battery backup too, so that if
one pump fails or you lose power for a few hours you won't get
flooded.

Finally, depending on where the water is being discharged, it may be a
code violation to discharge sink and washing machine water with the
sump pump water.

[ransley]

On Apr 21, 8:45*pm, (det1015)
wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so the pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out to see if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I sat and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can here the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

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##-----------------------------------------------##

a 1/4 hp sump at about 6 ft head should pump about 25 gpm, so you are
dumping 25 gpm back in? does the pump turn on and off with the float
rod, you said no but you said it runs a minute so it sounds like the
float works. This makes no sense, your pipe wont hold more than maybe
a gallon or so unless you have a real long run. A new pump and check
valve is cheap. You are probably wasting enough electricity to pay for
a new pump in a few months.

[Harry K]

On Apr 21, 6:45*pm, (det1015)
wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so the pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out to see if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I sat and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can here the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

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##-----------------------------------------------##

Sure sounds like new pump time. A new pump and new checkvalve
together won't run a $100 and replacign either is not rocket science.
At least pull your current pump and see if something is blocking the
impeller.

Harry K

[det1015]

det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369473-.htm
:
ok here is where i'm at...I unplugged the pump for awhile and when I
plugged it back in it came on immediately and did the same thing ran for a
minute and shut off. While it was running I manually pulled the float down
several times and this made the pump shut right off so the float is
working fine. So I think that the thermal protection switch is being
tripped like you said. The pump is connected and draines directly into the
main sewage line for the house through the basement wall so I cannot check
and see if it is draining outside although while it is running I can here
draining in the pipe and the water flow "sounds" fine. I think this means
that the problem causing the trip is maybe a clog in the impeller which
leaves me still with a question. How can I get to the impeller to check
and remove anything clogging it...the pump is secured at the bottom of the
crock and I cannot drain any water from it, when I try the water fills
back up as fast as I can remove it.
det1015
-------------------------------------
Bob F wrote:

det1015 wrote:
det1015 had written this in response to


http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369452-.htm


det1015
-------------------------------------
Bob F wrote:

det1015 wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going
through
spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now
the
sump
pump in my basement that I have not had any issues with
before is
backing up. My utility sink and washer both drain into the
sump
pump
crock so the pump runs frequently and has never backed up
before.
I
checked it out to see if the float was maybe lodged on
something
and
it seems fine. I started taking the water out and emptying
it into
a
bucket but no matter how much water I take out of the
crock the
water
doesnt get any lower. So I sat and watched to see what the
pump
was
doing. It will kick on and I can here the water draining
through a
pipe in the basement wall but it will only run for about a
minute
and
drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the
same
amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe
and I'm right back where I started. I know that there
shouldnt be
any
backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015

If the float switch is working right, the pump may be tripping
an
internal
protection switch. If you are using it for laundry water,
maybe some
thread or
cloth has gotten into it and is binding up the impellor.

What happens when you manually operate the switch?

The sump pump is fully under water because it is one that is
mounted
to the bottom of the crock and the crock is full. The float is not
on
a small electrical line like most that I have seen. It is
underneath
a lip on the pump and is attached by a 3-4" long thin metal
rod...when the float rises on the metal rod and reaches the lip on
the pump it kicks on. Well the float is at the top of the metal
rod
(due to the pump being fully submerged) and the pump will not stay
on
for longer than a minute at a time. I have pulled the float down
and
back up and the pump does nothing.


So, the float is way under water, and the water never drops down to the
float
level? Does the pump cycle regularly, without ever moving the float? If
so,
something else is causing the pump to turn off after a short run time,
which
takes us back to a thermal protection switch or some such thing.

Does it just keep cycling for the same short period, over and over? A
short time
on, and longer time off, with little change in water level from after
the pipe
drains back until it turns on again? Again, something binding the
impeller could
activate a thermal protection switch.

Can you disconnect the output and see if it keeps pumping then? Does it
continue
running then? Is the water flow good? Look for a plugged outlet pipe
then.

Does water come out of the outside pipe?

If you unplug the pump for ten minutes so it can cool off good, then
plug it in
again, does it start pumping right away? Does pushing the float down
quickly
stop it? Multiple times? This would suggest that the switch is good.







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[Worn out Retread]

It sounds to me that you need to replace the check valve and to adjust the
float mechanism to allow the pump to pump out more water. You don't want to
pump the sump dry but just down to the top of the intake.

If the pump is not handling the influx of water, you are probably due for a
new pump and check valve.

Why are your utility sink and washer draining into your sump hole? At least
around here that isn't a correct hook-up.

"harry k" wrote in message
...
On Apr 21, 6:45 pm, (det1015)
wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so the
pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out to see
if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I sat
and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can here
the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

##-----------------------------------------------##
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Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair - 350188 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

Sure sounds like new pump time. A new pump and new checkvalve
together won't run a $100 and replacign either is not rocket science.
At least pull your current pump and see if something is blocking the
impeller.

Harry K

[Bob F]

det1015 wrote:
det1015 had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ow-369473-.htm

ok here is where i'm at...I unplugged the pump for awhile and when I
plugged it back in it came on immediately and did the same thing ran
for a minute and shut off. While it was running I manually pulled the
float down several times and this made the pump shut right off so the
float is working fine. So I think that the thermal protection switch
is being tripped like you said. The pump is connected and draines
directly into the main sewage line for the house through the basement
wall so I cannot check and see if it is draining outside although
while it is running I can here draining in the pipe and the water
flow "sounds" fine. I think this means that the problem causing the
trip is maybe a clog in the impeller which leaves me still with a
question. How can I get to the impeller to check and remove anything
clogging it...the pump is secured at the bottom of the crock and I
cannot drain any water from it, when I try the water fills back up as
fast as I can remove it.
det1015
-------------------------------------
Bob F wrote:

My best guess.

It is probably not secured. It probably is just sitting there. Disconnect the
outlet pipe/hose and lift it out.

[[email protected]]

On Apr 22, 10:33*am, "Worn Out Retread" wrote:
It sounds to me that you need to replace the check valve and to adjust the
float mechanism to allow the pump to pump out more water. You don't want to
pump the sump dry but just down to the top of the intake.

If the pump is not handling the influx of water, you are probably due for a
new pump and check valve.

Why are your utility sink and washer draining into your sump hole? At least
around here that isn't a correct hook-up.

"harry k" wrote in message

...



On Apr 21, 6:45 pm, (det1015)
wrote:
I moved into my house durring this winter and now going through spring
thaw, it has also been raining for 3 days straight and now the sump pump
in my basement that I have not had any issues with before is backing up.
My utility sink and washer both drain into the sump pump crock so the
pump
runs frequently and has never backed up before. I checked it out to see
if
the float was maybe lodged on something and it seems fine. I started
taking the water out and emptying it into a bucket but no matter how much
water I take out of the crock the water doesnt get any lower. So I sat
and
watched to see what the pump was doing. It will kick on and I can here
the
water draining through a pipe in the basement wall but it will only run
for about a minute and drains about 1/2" of the water then stops, when it
stops the same amount of water runs right back into the crock from the
drain pipe and I'm right back where I started. I know that there shouldnt
be any backflow into the crock. Any ideas???
det1015
-------------------------------------

##-----------------------------------------------##
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##-----------------------------------------------##

Sure sounds like new pump time. *A new pump and new checkvalve
together won't run a $100 and replacign either is not rocket science.
At least pull your current pump and see if something is blocking the
impeller.

Harry K- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Also, in most parts of the US, it's illegal to pump ground water from
a sump pump into the sanitary sewer system. The basic problem is
that it's a huge increase in the amount of water that the system,
processing plant, etc must handle. It creates costs to deal with
water that in most cases could just be discharged on the surface
outside the house