Sump pumps are an important part of plumbing if you have a basement in an area that receives a lot of rain. Water can fill up your basement in no time, but a sump pump will drain it away. But how often should a sump pump run during heavy rain?
Sump pumps shouldn’t run indefinitely. If it lasts for more than a few days, call Dynamic Drains Plumbing & Sewer Service, your local trusted plumber in Saline, MI.
How a Sump Pump Works
Sump pumps remove water by pumping it away from the building. The submersible pump is installed in low spots, especially in crawl spaces and basements. They’re more necessary in buildings that are built in an area with a high water table or at the base of a slope because water will puddle more easily.
A sump pump doesn’t stay on all the time, but instead sits in standby mode until water pools. As water collects in the pump basin, the float switch in the basin will rise with the water, and once it reaches a certain level, it will make the system turn on to begin pumping water out. Once the water is pumped out, the system will go back to standby mode.
A Sump Pump Shouldn’t Run Forever
How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain? It should stay on while it’s actively raining and water is pooled up in the basin, but once the basin is empty, the system should stop.
Only a Few Days After a Storm
It’s normal for a sump pump to stay on for two or three days following a heavy storm, but it depends on how much water is collected in the basin. It should switch “off” when it’s finished, which is standby mode. If it continues running after the water has subsided, it’s a sign that something is wrong, and you should turn it off.
Turn Off the Pump When the Water Is Gone
If a few days have passed and the water subsided, but your pump is still running, turn it off to prevent the system from breaking down. Turning it off will also help you save money since you’ll use less energy to run it.
Call a plumber immediately to inspect the problem. Turning off the pump means it won’t be in standby mode, so it won’t turn on automatically the next time it rains. If you turn it off and forget about it, you’ll have a basement full of water! Maintain your sump pump with annual inspections from a trusted plumber to ensure your pump stays in good shape.
Reasons a Sump Pump Stays On
If your sump pump has been on long enough to make you wonder, “How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain?” it probably means something is wrong. There are many reasons a sump pump may keep chugging, including:
- Broken water main: A water main underground could break and cause the system to run all the time. Try turning off the water main to see if your pump goes back to standby mode.
- High water table: A high water table means the groundwater level sits higher than other areas. Since sump pumps go into the ground, the high level could make it run to remove the collecting water.
- Water drains toward your home: Flooding is more common in areas with dips or valleys. If your home is in one of these areas, your sump pump will collect more water due to the drainage.
- Float switch problems: The float switch may get stuck, break, or clog the system and cause it to stay in an on position even if there isn’t any water.
- Insufficient power: If the pump is too small for the space or how much water there is, there won’t be enough power to make it work efficiently. It will have to stay on for a long time to compensate for the flow rate.
- Check valve issues: If the check valve breaks, water will return through the pipe it drains from, creating a never-ending pump cycle.
- Clogs in the line: Clogs from frozen pipes or debris will prevent the system from functioning normally.
Call Dynamic Drains Plumbing & Sewer Service in Saline, MI, Today
How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain in Saline, MI? It shouldn’t last more than a few days, so if it doesn’t stop even when the water is gone, contact the professional plumbers at Dynamic Drains Plumbing & Sewer Service. We can help you with all of your plumbing problems in commercial properties and residential homes. Call today.