Sump pump problems can quickly escalate from an unnoticed annoyance into a property maintenance crisis. Sump pumps serve as a building’s primary defense against flooding and wastewater backup, particularly where gravity drainage isn’t an option. Because these systems are tucked away out of sight in wet wells and pits, they are frequently forgotten—until something goes wrong.
CRITICAL SAFETY NOTICE: For health and safety reasons, only specially trained and equipped personnel should ever enter a pump pit or sump. These areas are strictly classified as confined spaces. They frequently contain hazardous gases, toxic substances, and pose severe electrical and mechanical risks.
The good news? You can still diagnose a variety of water pump problems right from the surface. Here is our expert guide to identifying common sump pump problems and finding the right sump pump problem solutions without compromising your safety.
Here is a guide to common sump pump problems and how to spot them without putting yourself at risk.
1. The Pump Fails to Start
If the water level in your pit is rising but the system remains completely silent, you are dealing with one of the most immediate water pump problems a property can face. The system may have been broken or the pump/s might have failed.
- What’s happening: This is usually caused by a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, failed panel components or could be failed/fouled level controls.
- Sump pump problem solution: From the safety of the surface, check your panel to see if the breaker has tripped. If the power is active but the pump is unresponsive, do not attempt to reach into the pit to manually lift the float or inspect the wiring. If a single reset of the breaker doesn’t restore life to the pump, an internal electrical fault is likely present.
2.The Sump Pump won’t switch off
When a sump pump is constantly running and won’t switch off regardless of the water levelit introduces severe mechanical strain. This is among the sump pump problems that can rapidly burn out a water pump motor.
- What’s happening: This is usually caused by a stuck, fouled or failed level controls, the water pump or impeller might be damaged or fouled or the non-return valve might be faulty.
- Sump pump problem solution: Due to the fact that there are a number of different factors that can cause this, it is advisable to call a specialist right away.
3. The level controls are obstructed (Normally a float or several floats within the sump)
The level controls signal the system when to turn on or off as levels change. If the level controls can’t move or have failed, the pump won’t work or won’t turn off when required.
- What’s happening: Debris from the wastewater (leaves, silt, sanitary products, or rubbish) gets washed or carelessly flushed into the sump and fouls the level controls. If a sump has not been serviced and cleaned regularly then natural deposits that build up on the controls increase beyond an operational level. Alternatively, the level controls might have failed due to fatigue due to age.
- Sump pump problem solution: From the surface, use a powerful torch to look into the pit. If you see level controls that are trapped under a piece of debris, pinned against the side of the sump or heavy fouling on them you have found the root cause. Do not reach into the pit to move it!
4. Blocked External Discharge Pipe
If you can hear the pump humming, or see a “Run” lamp lit on your control panel, but the water level in the sump isn’t dropping, the water has nowhere to go. A high-level alarm will often be sounding in this scenario.
- What’s happening: The discharge pipe—the line that carries water away from your property—is likely blocked. It’s often a build-up of leaves, debris, or even a wet wipes or sanitary products.
- Sump pump problem solution: Attempt to find where your sump pipe exits (usually a headwall or a drain). If you don’t see water flowing out while the pump is running, check the very end of the pipe for any obvious external obstructions you can clear from the outside.
5. Non-Return Valve (NRV) Failure
The non-return valve is a critical one-way mechanical valve. It stops pumped water from rushing back down into the pit once the pump cycles off, and prevents water from short-circuiting back through a standby pump in a dual-pump system.
- What’s happening: If this valve fails, the water that is being pumped out of the sump rushes right back down the pipe as soon as the water pump switches off, or just pumps through the standby pump back into the sump. This causes the pump to “short cycle” (turning on and off repeatedly) or run continuously, which will eventually cause the pump to fail.
- Sump pump problem solution: Listen to your system. If you hear a very loud, metallic thud or clunk every time the pump stops, or if the pump starts up again only seconds after stopping, or runs continuously without ever stopping, switch off the system to prevent the pump from overheating. An engineer will need to attend and investigate.
6. Excessive Noise
A healthy sump pump should have a steady, mechanical hum. Sharp, loud or erratic noises are a warning sign of internal water pump problems.
- What’s happening: A high-pitched whining noise usually indicates that the bearings are failing, often due to age or the pump running dry. Grinding sounds usually indicate stones or piece of debris have got into the sump and are hitting or jamming on the pump impeller.
- Sump pump problem solution: If the pump sounds like it’s grinding gravel, turn it off at the isolation switch and call for an engineer to lift and inspect the pump. Continuing to run a pump with a blocked or fouled impeller can wear or burn it out, resulting in an expensive repair or replacement.
7. Electrical Trip (Power Failure)
Because sump pumps live in wet and submerged environments, they are highly sensitive to electrical faults. Many sumps have electrical joint boxes for cabling due to the distances from control panels or electrical supplies and these can get water or moisture inside.
- What’s happening: If the water pump motor or cabling develops a “leak” to the earth, or if the wiring has been compromised by moisture ingress, it will trip the circuit breaker or blow a fuse for safely and to potentially prevent further damage, electric shock or panel/component damage.
- Sump pump problem solution: Check your panel. If the circuit breaker for the pump is off or fuse has blown, reset breaker or replace the fuse once. If it trips or blows again immediately, there is an internal fault that requires a professional to test the insulation of the motor and wiring.
DIY vs. Professional Action Table
Because entering the sump is unsafe for non-professionals, surface-level diagnostics are your primary tool. Use this guide to determine when a problem requires specialist intervention: Click here
Because entering the sump is unsafe for non-professionals, surface-level diagnostics are your primary tool. Use this guide to determine when a problem requires specialist intervention:
Problem | DIY Surface Action | When to Call Mawdsleys |
1. The Pump Fails to Start | Check your panel to see if the breaker has tripped | If the power is active but the pump is unresponsive call a specialist |
2. The Sump Runs Continuously | Turn off the power to prevent further damage? | To inspect and discover the cause. |
3. Obstruction | Visual check with a torch from the surface. | To clear the sump, lift and inspect or re-secure a pump |
4. Blocked Pipe | Clear leaves/debris from the external exit point. | If the blockage is underground or inside the pipe. |
5. NRV | Listen for thudding, constant restarting or continuous running | To inspect, clean or replace the valve and test. |
6. Noisy Pump | Turn off the power to prevent further damage. | To lift and inspect the pump to assess for repair or replacement |
7. Power Failure | Reset the circuit breaker/RCD or replace fuse once. | If it trips a second time. Advise a precautionary investigation visit in this instance anyway. |
How Mawdsleys Pump Services Can Help?
Sump pump systems are critical infrastructure for your property or business. When they fail, the risk of flood or having toilets and items that dispose of waste to the sump backing up and overflowing is immediate.
At Mawdsleys, we have the trained teams of engineers and the specialized equipment to enter and maintain these systems safely and efficiently.
Our Competencies:
- Rapid Response: If for preventative maintenance, if the weather turns or things go wrong, our teams are ready to ensure your pump system is kept in good order and the problem diagnosed and fixed.
- 24/7 Support: Floods or failures don’t follow office hours, so neither do we.
- Informative Reporting: We don’t just service or fix the pump system; we look at what might fail/why it failed and advise a clear plan to prevent it from happening again.
- Precision and Safety: We handle the trained and dangerous work with all the correct equipment.
Our Value Statement: We deliver swift solutions for your pump equipment every day. Reliable, Rapid, Informative.
Call 01179548030 if you want to find out more or your sump pump is not working.
