OT: Why is my sump pump so loud?
I have two sump pumps in my basement, one on the front wall and one at the back corner. These came with the house and are both ~15 years old. The one in the front runs constantly whenever there is precipitation or melting snow. We know this because it is right under our living room and it's very loud when it turns on, and when it's done pumping it ends with a loud clank! :eek:
I'd never heard the back one run before - I've always thought we had good drainage at the back of the house since it goes downhill. Today I dumped 10 gallons of water into the back sump just to make sure it worked. Man was I surprised to hear how QUIET it was! I was standing right over it and could barely hear it run. When it was done pumping there was a slight 'click' and that was it.
Which makes me wonder... why is the front one so loud? :confused: I'm no plumber but my first conclusion is that it's old and starting to fail. Am I on track? Should I make plans to replace it, or is it normal for these to get louder as they age? If our front sump stops working we're in big trouble as our basement would flood pretty fast.
Thanks,
Patrick
A few more things for Ya.
Here are a few more things for you to consider Patrick. There are 2 types of Sump Pumps........Submersible and Pedestal Type pumps. I prefer the Pedestal type pumps myself. For one, they are less expensive, and the motor is up out of the water. The Float on the pedestal pumps is much less likely to get hung up on something and keep the switch from activating the pump. As far as replacing or swapping out your pumps, it is a breeze. Just cut the discharge pipe above the pump in a place that is easy to access and work on...........about waist level is a good place. Then, use a Fernco-Type No Hub Connector to re-connect the pipes together when you get the discharge pipe and fitting threaded into the new pump. The No Hub connector is a Black Rubber Sleeve that is used to connect pipe together, and it works great on PVC, Cast Iron and Copper pipe. The No Hub is secured to the existing discharge pipe using Hose Clamps, just like the radiator hoses on a Car. It also has a dampening effect on the pipe, which should help quiet the pump even more because there will be less vibration of the pump as the water flows thru it. If you are unfamiliar with the No Hub Connector setup, any hardware store, or the big boys, like Home Depot, Lowes, etc. have them. All you need is the pipe size your putting it on, and you are in business. The No Hub connectors are available with a Stainless Sleeve around them, and in plain rubber, without the sleeve. The Stainless Sleeve is a good idea for higher pressure situations, but for a Sump Pump application, the rubber one should do fine. Using the Fernco type No Hub connector, it should be a 15 minute job. Good Luck........let us know how it goes, or if you need anything else...I will gladly help you all I can. :D
Hey, I know what that is! And a flushing question...
I saw the No Hub connector on an episode of Ask This Old House a few weeks ago. I didn't know what it was at the time, but now that you describe it I know exactly what you're talking about and saw how it connects.
As for flushing the pump out, I think that's a great idea. But... how? :confused: Do I have to disassemble it? Or take it outside and run a garden hose in one end?
Learning more about the mysteries of sump pump magic by the hour. You guys are great! Thanks for the help!
Regards,
Patrick
Off Topic Funny Sump Story
This will not help you fix your pump. You already have enough advice on that . . But here's a funny story. We had a funny smell coming from our basement. In that past when that has happened, I just dump some Clorox dillueted with hot water down the sewer clean-out. This time, that didn't seem to do the trick. My investigation led me to the sump pump. I found a family of frogs 'living' (that term is used relatively loosly) in the sump tub. While some of the frogs were alive, many of the bothers and sisters seemed to be doing the back stoke.
Once I fished then out (should I say 'frogged'?) and ran clean water through the pump for a few minutes, the small was gone.
The real mystery is how did they get there. I can only imagine they entered through the window well drains. The drains seem to be covered well?? Do you suppose they could get past the one-way value and enter the drain pipe?