Sump pump questions
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Sump pump questions
We've got a septic/well system in my house, and we've got 2 sump pumps in two small wells - one for the ground water (or to keep the basement from flooding) and one for the toilets/showers/sinks waste water.
At any rate, The pump for the waste water is an interesting setup - there is a "piggyback" plug; it plugs into the wall, and then has an outlet on it, to which we plug in the actual pump plug. Now when I plug in the pump directly, without sticking it on the piggyback, it just runs and runs until I unplug it. When I put it on the piggyback, it's real spotty -sometimes it doesn't pump, sometimes it works fine.
I'm guessing that the piggyback plug leads to some kind of float mechanism which interrupts the current from the house to the pump. I'm also guessing that the float mechanism is faulty.
I haven't opened it up yet, but I wanted to see if you guys thought I was on the right path with this. I've never dealt with this kind of thing - I'm learning as I go.
Thanks in advance!
XXL
At any rate, The pump for the waste water is an interesting setup - there is a "piggyback" plug; it plugs into the wall, and then has an outlet on it, to which we plug in the actual pump plug. Now when I plug in the pump directly, without sticking it on the piggyback, it just runs and runs until I unplug it. When I put it on the piggyback, it's real spotty -sometimes it doesn't pump, sometimes it works fine.
I'm guessing that the piggyback plug leads to some kind of float mechanism which interrupts the current from the house to the pump. I'm also guessing that the float mechanism is faulty.
I haven't opened it up yet, but I wanted to see if you guys thought I was on the right path with this. I've never dealt with this kind of thing - I'm learning as I go.
Thanks in advance!
XXL
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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The "piggyback" plug does indeed go to a float switch. The most common source of problems in a setup like yours is debris in the well causing the float to hang up. If the float is free and it is still not working replacement switches can be obtained from hardware stores.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Originally posted by Torque1st
The "piggyback" plug does indeed go to a float switch. The most common source of problems in a setup like yours is debris in the well causing the float to hang up. If the float is free and it is still not working replacement switches can be obtained from hardware stores.
The "piggyback" plug does indeed go to a float switch. The most common source of problems in a setup like yours is debris in the well causing the float to hang up. If the float is free and it is still not working replacement switches can be obtained from hardware stores.
XXL
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Saskatchewan
You don't have much choice. :eek There should be a rope to pull everything up. Get the garden hose or a pail of water to rinse things off. Get some old gloves you can discard and wear some old clothes.
Sometimes the floats get a pinhole and water seeps inside them. Then they can't float enough to trip the mercury switch inside. That's what happened to my last one.
Sometimes the floats get a pinhole and water seeps inside them. Then they can't float enough to trip the mercury switch inside. That's what happened to my last one.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Port Perry Ont Canada
I love to save a buck and do most things around the house myself. But I must say, a poopy problem of that magnitude would force me to hire outside help. Matt you have to draw a line somewhere on self home repair, doesn't this look like a great place to start.
Just think you have to pull the offensive poopy pump out, then diagnose the problem, after showering "you will need a shower after going in up to the elbows" run to the hardware store hoping they have what you need, all while the poopy pump sits on the floor stinking up the basement . Then it's back to the poopy pump (when and if you find the parts) and hopefully you've diagnosed it correctly and manage to repair it. Just think of not having to worry about it and having a poop pro fix it for ya.
Why does your mouth water just before you throw up ?
Just think you have to pull the offensive poopy pump out, then diagnose the problem, after showering "you will need a shower after going in up to the elbows" run to the hardware store hoping they have what you need, all while the poopy pump sits on the floor stinking up the basement . Then it's back to the poopy pump (when and if you find the parts) and hopefully you've diagnosed it correctly and manage to repair it. Just think of not having to worry about it and having a poop pro fix it for ya.
Why does your mouth water just before you throw up ?
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Thanks for the help guys - my mom ended up calling the plumber this morning while I was at my job training. Apparently the whole thing was getting ready to go - it all fell apart when he brought it out of the turdpool.
I'm not gonna complain...when I flush something, I don't expect to see it again
XXL
I'm not gonna complain...when I flush something, I don't expect to see it again
XXL
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: West Chester PA
You may want to look at a battery back up for the system. A few years ago durring a hurricane, we lost power for 26 hours. My wife and I spent about 13 hours bailing water out of the sump into the shop vac to be dumped outside becuase no power=no sump pump. I haven't needed the battery backup yet, but I also haven't had to worry about losing power in the middle of a big rain storm either....
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