Sump Pump

Questions and Answers

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Nick K. asked  sump pump

on Sump Pumps :

 

I have a one half horsepower zoelles sump pump that will run for two seconds,  one second after the initial cycle has been completed.  Occasionally  this happens two times in a row. The check valve and sump pump are a little over a year old.  This is a high usage system that comes on multiple times each day.

 

sump pump answer

Hello Nick,

It sounds like an improperly adjusted or positioned float switch.   As water fills the sump it should raise the float switch to the on position, which should not be achieved until a significant amount of water is in the sump.   When the float switch reaches the on position it activates the sump pump which empties the sump, lowering the float switch to the off position and shutting off the pump.   This cycle repeats endlessly until the sump no longer fills or the sump pump malfunctions.

If the float switch reaches the off position before all the water is pumped from the sump a slight back wash of water will sometimes rock or raise the float switch enough to activate the sump pump for a second or two.   This does add to the number of times the switch and motor cycles on and off and may shorten the life of the unit.

If the unit is properly installed the scenario I described above can be corrected by adjusting the stops on the float switch rod, if your unit has one, or by raising, lowering or repositioning the sump pump intake in the horizontal plane, if your float switch is on a flexible cord.

Good luck,

Tony

Wood’s Home Maintenance Service offers solutions for a wide range of building, maintenance and repair needs.  Give us a call or click the button below to contact us  today for a free estimate.

 

About Tony Wood

Tony is a life time resident of North Carolina with over 40 years experience in multiple facets of the industrial, commercial and residential construction industry. For the past 33 years he has owned and operated Wood's Home Maintenance Service, providing services primarily in Johnston, Wake and Sampson Counties of North Carolina. ______________ ______________________________________________________ The information contained in this Blog is opinion derived, from hands on experience of over 40 years in the construction industry and by extensive research by the author. All postulations are referenced to the geographic location in which this experience was gained.
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