Like most people with a basement or crawlspace in their homes, you might be wondering, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” Sump pumps are essential for keeping water out of low-lying spaces, so finding water in the pit might seem counterproductive. Yet the answer might surprise you.
Our skilled plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, often deal with sump pump issues and provide necessary device installations, repairs, and replacements. Below, we share everything you should know about sump pumps and whether you should worry about water in the pits.
How Sump Pumps Work
Before answering, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” you should know what sump pumps are and how they work. Many properties deal with water seepage from groundwater or heavy rainfall. These devices are instrumental in saving properties from floods and water damage.
A sump pump is part of a water damage prevention system for houses. It’s a device that goes into a pit or basin at the lowest point of a home, usually a crawlspace or under a basement floor’s main surface. The pump has several valves for detecting water level and pressure.
As water seeps into the house from outside, it flows into the sump pump basin. When the water inside the pit reaches a certain level, a switch will activate the pump and turn it on. Sump pump switches come in many varieties, including the following:
- Pressure Switches: A pressure switch will detect water pressure inside the pump. Once the pressure gets to a certain point due to the water level increasing, it will make the sump pump turn on.
- Tethered Float Switches: A tethered float switch attaches to the sump pump and floats inside the pit. The switch will float until it reaches its highest point, then it’ll trigger an electrical signal to the pump to turn it on. Since the switch needs water to float, it’ll cause the pump to shut down as the pit empties.
- Electronic Switches: Electronic switches don’t rely on floats to activate sump pumps. Instead, they sense water pressure to gauge how much water is inside the pit.
- Diaphragm Switches: One of the most common sump pump switches is the diaphragm switch since it seldom sticks in the on or off position. As pressure increases inside the basin, it flips concave and reverses when the water level drops.
- Vertical Float Switches: This magnetic sump pump switch slides on a vertical rod inside the pump. The float switch will move upward as the water inside the basin rises. While the switch is up, the pump will work, and it’ll turn off when the float switch moves down.
The sump pump’s impeller will push the water inside the pit into a discharge pipe to keep the excess moisture out of the house and away from its foundation. Most sump pumps use a battery or a hookup to the house’s electricity. The water that drains from the pump will flow into a specific area away from the house, like a local drain or dry well at least ten feet away from the property’s foundation.
Sump Pump Pits and Water: How Much Water Is Too Much?
If you’re new to using sump pumps to keep your residence’s lowest level dry, seeing water inside the pump basin might seem unusual. Yet, the purpose of a sump pump isn’t to ensure the pit stays dry. It’s responsible for keeping the basement from flooding.
It’s better to inquire about how much water is inside the pit, not whether the pit has water at all. Different water levels can indicate a problem with the sump pump. Here’s how to tell if something might be wrong.
Sump Pump Pit Has Some Water
It’s perfectly normal for the pit to contain some water. At any point, it can collect moisture from groundwater seepage, snowmelt, or rain. If your sump pump works correctly, it will immediately activate and drain the water once its level reaches a specific height.
Sump Pump Pit Has No Water
Seeing an empty sump pump could be a good thing. If the sump pump doesn’t have water, it means your property isn’t experiencing an issue that could result in basement flooding.
Sump Pump Pit Constantly Dries Out
Even though a dry sump pump pit could mean your home isn’t at risk of flooding due to water seepage from outside, it’s not always good for the basin to constantly run dry. If you never see water inside the pit, it could indicate a drainage issue on your property.
Water that would otherwise flow into the sump pump basin could be going somewhere else on your property and cause water damage there. For example, if the water is leaking under or around your home’s foundation instead of going into the sump pump, it could cause cracks in the concrete slabs. Foundational cracks can weaken your home’s structural integrity.
A frequently dry pit could also cause problems for the sump pump. The equipment has plastic and rubber parts that will dry out without regular exposure to moisture. If they dry out too much, they could degrade and cause the sump pump to fail by the time the pit fills with enough water.
Sump Pump Pit Is Always Full of Water
A sump pump pit that’s always full is seldom a good thing. If the basin always has water, it could mean that a clogged discharge line is preventing water from exiting the pit. It might be due to a low-functioning impeller or a clog. It’s also possible for water inside the discharge pipe to feed water from the pit back into the basin if the line has an obstruction.
Another problem that could cause water to always be inside your sump pump pit is incorrect pit placement. The hole should be at the lowest point of the house below the water table. If it’s in an area where the water table is too high, the pit will collect more water than the sump pump can drain, which increases the risk of your basement flooding.
Plumbing problems in and around your property can also fill your sump pump basin. A leak in the main water line, a problem with your yard’s sprinkler system, or a broken sewer pipe can oversaturate the soil. As a result, your sump pump pit will have more water to pump out.
How To Avoid an Overflow From Your Sump Pump Pit
Though the answer to, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” is yes to an extent, you still want to take the necessary steps to avoid an overflow. A flooded pit can happen at any time, but the following tips will make it easier to prevent a costly catastrophe under your house:
- Remove Debris From the Sump Pump: It’s easy for dirt, paper, and other materials other than water to get inside the pit. If debris clogs the sump pump, it could cause an overflow, so keep the area clear.
- Install a Backup Generator: Should your house lose power due to a storm or major electrical problem, the sump pump will stop working unless it has a secondary generator.
- Inspect Valve Positions: When installing sump pump valves, ensure the arrows on their surface don’t point toward the sump pump. The correct position is for the arrows to face away from the device.
- Use a Sump Pump Alarm: Sump pump alarms are a type of safety device that warns you if the water level inside the pump pit gets too high.
- Maintain the Sump Pump’s Impeller: Most sump pumps have an impeller that helps move water inside the pit. The component won’t work correctly if it has a clog, so regular cleaning and debris removal is a must.
You should periodically inspect and clean your sump pump to ensure it’s removing water from its basin correctly. Testing your sump pump is also a good idea, especially if it always appears dry.
To test your sump pump’s functionality, you can run water through it to trigger its float or electronic switch. If the pump activates and the water drains, the pump is functional. You might need help from a plumbing professional if your pit overflows or the sump pump doesn’t activate.
Turn to Iron Mountain Plumbing for Your Sump Pump Needs
No matter what your sump pump problem is, you should quickly contact plumbing professionals to solve it. That includes repairing a malfunctioning sump pump, digging a new pit, or replacing the system altogether. Otherwise, you increase your risk of having a basement flood, which can lead to mold and mildew, reduced indoor air quality, and property damage.
At Iron Mountain Plumbing, our skilled, certified plumbers can address many concerns, whether you want to know if your sump pump is failing or learn the answer to, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” We’re one of the best plumbing companies in Hurricane, Utah, and each team member strives to find innovative solutions to all plumbing issues.
We value our customers’satisfaction and work hard to complete all jobs right the first time; call (435) 422-4667.