The snow is starting to melt and I noticed today that the sump pump is running continuosly. There is not a lot of water in it to the point that it would actually need to run. Also, it appears to have a smell sort of like smoke coming from it.
I am worried that it will burn itself out and then not work when it needs to. What should I do?
Do i need to unplug it and keep an eye on it to plug it back in when it gets full?
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
Its overheating because its running continuously and that's the smell. most likely the float is hung up, check it. if its accessible. Your basic sump pump is pretty simple. If you have to lift it out of a deep pit or something unplug it 1st. Then when you get it out operate it by moving the float up and down. If it don't work like it supposed to (float up-runs/float down-stops) get a new one. They arn't that exspensive. You'll probably find the float is just caught on something. Don't let it run continuously if its not pumping water or it will burn out. Doubt if it will cause a fire. But you never know.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS227US227&q=sump+pump+how+it+works
cowboydoc
The float could need adjustment or there's something in the pump. Does your laundry water go through here? if so, I've taken woman's panties, hose, socks, you name it, out of sump pumps.
I just dug a sock out of mine, my spouse said disappeared weeks ago.
shawnd518
Check to see if the float is at the proper height. If its to low the pump may be sucking air.
jcgimp@sbcglobal.net
Sounds bad to me.
Unplug it and have it checked out.
You might have to replace it.