The float switch is set up so that when water reaches a certain level, the sump pump turns on, and when the water goes back down, the pump shuts off.

There are four types of float switches for sump pumps. The diaphragm switch, vertical action float, tethered float and an electric float switch. The best one out of the four is the vertical action float. This type of float will usually cost less to buy, have a better quality, and hold a longer warranty.

Knowing that one of the most common sump pump problems could be with the float switch, when you purchase a sump pump, you will want to find one that has a float switch that you will be able to replace yourself. This will save you money and time, if a problem occurs in the future, by being able to fix it yourself.

If you choose to go with an electric switch, which cost more, but are great to use, keep in mind that some are made with mercury. If your sump pump is going to be anywhere near water that is also used for drinking water, you will want to buy a steel electric float switch. The steel ones do not have any mercury in them.

A lot of sump pump problems can be fixed by the homeowner without paying someone else to do it. I have listed some common sump pump problems and some tips and/or solutions about them. Trying these tips and solutions can save the homeowner a lot of time, money, and other problems that could arise if the sump pump isn’t maintained regularly. Before doing any type of maintenance to a sump pump, be sure to unplug any electrical cords going to any part of the sump pump.

1). Debris in the sump pit- Always check and make sure that the sump pit is free from debris.

2). “check” valve-Sometimes, the check valve can be improperly installed. The check valves are set up so that when the sump pump shuts off, no water will go back into the sump pump. The check valve’s arrow should not be pointing toward the sump pump.

3). Weep hole- Some pumps will have a weep hole, usually between the sump pump and the check valve. You can clean this weep hole out with a toothpick or other tiny object. Be careful not to break anything into the weep hole.

4). Impeller- Should be a filter, but sometimes things get into it and clog it up. If your sump pump has stopped running, suddenly, or has been making a whining noise, this could be the problem. The impeller should be connected to the sump pump with bolts. This is something that the homeowner can take care of themselves. Unplug the sump pump and unbolt the impeller. Be careful not to drop it or hit it. Once you have it off the pump, you should be able to clean anything out of it. When you put it back together, it is recommended to use new gasket and sealant when putting the new casing onto it. When you put it back together, you can test the pump to see if this solves the problem. Fill the sump pump with water until it turns on and see if it is working properly. If it doesn’t turn on, it may be an electrical problem and you should contact a professional for this. They will be able to tell you if it is that or if you need a new one. It is recommended to just ask them to inspect it first and save some money on the service call. If they say that it can be fixed, ask for a quote and measure the quote to replacing it with a new one. Whichever costs you less will be a better choice. If you get a new one, you will have a whole new warranty with it, too.

5). Sump pump odor- The odor is caused from the sump pump trap. The trap will have water that stay s there, but when it hasn’t had any water for a while, an odor starts to form. This is from a gas that is created from sewage water. You can check on this and keep a little bit of water in it, and you can eliminate the odor by using a bleach-water mixture to cleanse the basin. One part bleach to 5 parts water is good. You can fill the basin until the sump pump turns on, too, and this will help with eliminating the odor better.

6). Power outage- Purchasing a generator is a great idea when you purchase a sump pump. This way, if you lose power while you need your sump pump, you will have a back up source of power for the sump pump. Sometimes, it is better to invest more money now then to have to spend more later on for flooding damages.

Whenever you are in doubt with common sump pump problems, call an expert.

A water powered sump pump is a device which works by transferring water from underneath your home, to outside of your home.
The device is like a vacuum, every time the water pressure reaches a certain limit it triggers the water powered sump pump to turn on and reduce the water back to a safe level which cannot flood your home.

How is a water powered sump pump different from a regular sump pump?

A water powered sump pump is a backup pump for the standard sump pump. A normal sump pump draws water into a pit underneath your home, to prevent the water from rising into your basement. The water powered sump pump, pumps the water back out of the pit and sends the water back outside where its supposed to be.

Do I need a water powered sump pump?

Well if your only using a normal sump pump, yes it is a vital necessity. A normal sump pump only draws the water from flooding your basement by sending it into a pit underneath your home, if weather conditions are severe enough this pit could still flood after so much time, so without a water powered sump pump there would be no real reason to even use a normal sump pump. They do not work without each other.

How do I work it?

You don’t. The water powered sump pump is totally automatic. You will find that the pump has its own float switch and activates once the water level reaches a dangerous level, then pumps it back down to a safe level.

Will it suck up my electric bill?

Fortunately the sump pump does NOT run off electricity or batteries. The sump pump works off pressurization. there is also a adjustable timer in which you can set how long you want the pump to run every time it is activated by the water levels. Normally this time would need to be around 20 to 30 seconds depending on size of the sump pit along with how close your home is to the ground.
The best way to depict how long to set the pump isn’t to guess but to ask either the person who installs it under your home, or a sump pump professional.

How do I choose the right size pump for my home??

This is simple normally there are 3 different types of water powered sump pumps. These types being:
Residential RB- 750- This would be for your average home with a pretty normal amount of sump water needing lifting from under your home.

Residential/ commercial HB – 1000 This would be for homes with high volumes of sump water which are found to constantly flood from underneath.

Commercial CB- 1500 Which would be for buildings not standard to be used on single homes, which have a high volume of water at a frequent rate.

Remember also model types vary from store to store, just because it has a different name doesn’t mean it isn’t for the same level of water. The best way is to document your water problems around your home then ask a professional on what they would advise to use.

Because of the water needed to operate them water sump pumps are more expensive to run. Before getting started make sure, the area where you will be working is clean and dry. While purchasing the sump pump you will also need to purchase a rechargeable 12-volt battery, a good long-term investment would be a marine deep cycle battery they are more expensive but they will run for a longer period, and their shelf life is longer when unused. When you purchase the sump pump a water level sensor, needed piping, and a check valve should be included. The check valve is usually placed in front of the pipes to prevent a back flow into the primary pump when the backup pump is being used. You need to purchase PVC suction pipe, plastic of copper piping, discharge pipe, and a plumbing kit (if needed).

For a water powered model, the mounting must be positioned over the main sump pump. You will need to connect the water supply to the new pump. If you are installing a battery powered model make, sure it is fully charged then connects it near the main pump then connects it to the discharge pipe. With the water powered sump pump an extra step is needed yo,u must attach plastic or copper piping from the backup sump pump to your water supply. Regardless of which type you install the rest if the instructions remain the same for both types of units. Add the PVC suction pipe running it to the bottom of the sump pit, emptying the entire pit. Finally hook up the discharge pipe to the primary discharge or to the outside.

Testing once a month is recommended to assure the backup pump will work when needed. A good time to test your back up system is after a rainstorm. The main sump pump will need to be temporarily disconnected from its power source to the backup system. A battery charger with a trickle charge can be used to monitor and test the battery making sure it has adequate fluid on the inside and is retaining a full charge.

Strategically placing a battery powered water alarm a few inches below the top of the sump well can alert you with a loud shrill alarm if the pumping system fails and the water level rises too high alerting you of a potential problem.

Take a marble and watch to see which way it rolls. The corner of the wall it rolls toward is the most advantageous place for the pump. Now make sure of three things before you go buy a pump. Number one, where is the power supply in reference to the placement of the pump? It should be within six feet unless you have an extension cord. Is the power supply close to the floor? It should be higher, preferably on the ceiling. An easy way to create a sump pump power supply is to purchase a light fixture add on that has outlets. Screw it into the overhead light and plug your pump into it. The pump will turn on and off with the light switch.

Now you need to know where you are going to put the water. It is probably an infraction of city ordinances to pump the water into the sewer or storm system. Usually you can run a hose from the pump to a place in your yard away from the house. However, you do need a clear path for the hose. A crimped hose will keep the pump from working.

Once you have planned the placement of your basement sump pump and the disposal of the water you are ready to look at how much flooding your basement suffers. Unless your basement develops more than an inch of water, most pumps will be of little benefit to you. In this case, you will save a great deal of money and frustration if you contact a contractor about sealing your basement against water.

The last piece of this frustrating puzzle is determining what kind of basement sump pump you need. There are dozens to choose from and the best choice will depend on water depth, water output, and sturdiness of the pump. Most wet basement sufferers can get a small, submersible pump that puts out up to thirty gallons of water per hour. These usually run just over a hundred dollars. The trick to keeping them running is to keep both the water depth sensor and the intake unit clean. Put the pump in a flat strainer, such as a deep fat frying strainer. The strainer keeps the pump from sitting directly on the floor and still allows water to reach the pump.

A tall basement sump pump is better for water more than a foot deep. However, most of these are not submersible. A float monitors the water depth, as much as three feet, and trips the on off switch when it drops. Again, they are not terribly expensive and any hardware store can help you pick out the best basement sump pump for your needs.