HawthorneVillager.com

Hey Guys,

I dont know if its just me, but in the 2+ years I have been living at my home I have never heard/noticed a sound from my sub-pump. Over the last 3-4 days, it has been making a humming noise, not loud, but not quiet either. Should this be a concern? If so, what should I do? If not, is there a way to make the sound go away that a handyman novice such as myself could do?

Thanks!

I have no idea what that noise could be, but these things are notorious for causing house fires. Usually when they are mis-adjusted and get stuck in the on position, with nothing to pump.

This isn't your situation, but if it were me I wouldn't take chances. Get a new one immediately, and replace it. They are way to important to leave to chance.

Open up the pit and take a look.. good chance that the float is stuck. If its been like that for a couple days, I'd be tempted to replace it. Can never be too safe.

Do you know how to test to see if it's working? (plug directly into outlet, bypassing the float sensor?)

You should probably have it checked by someone with knowledge on pumps. Also... it's sump-pump, not sub-pump.

Cheers

No I don't know how to test it, I'm very bad at home stuff. Is there anything u can recommend that I can do to check?

Thanks

There are two plugs coming from your sump pump. One wire plugs into the second wire at the outlet.
Take the single wire and plug it directly into the outlet (not into the other wire). Does that make any sense??
When you plug it in, the pump should activate and water should be pumped out (if there is any in the pit).
Again, open the pit if you can and take a look at what's going on. If you want a hand, let me know.

Thanks Jay, sent you a PM

Many sumps are not set up well by the builders minions. I have fixed over 200 sumps during inspections. The float and pump are usually not set up properly and the float either gets stuck under the water or it can also get hung up so that it does not turn off the pump.

In this case it sounds like the float is hung up on the side of the sump pit preventing it from shutting off the pump.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Just shake it a bit, move the pipe above ground a little if your not good with mechanical stuff. Do so with some caution do not be aggresive you may break a connection elsewhere. Usually the floater is stuck.

Unplug it and get someone in. My buddies caught fire.

If it's humming that usually means that the water level is high and the pump is trying to start but it is seized. It's not at all uncommon and not surprising considering the amount of crud left in the pit by the builders.
It can start a fire so unplug it and have it replaced before this dry weather ends.
Glen can do it:
viewtopic.php?t=28390&highlight=plumber

John Allingham, Professional Engineer
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
http://www.peelhomeinspection.com

Great, thanks everyone. Jay was kind enough to come over, it appears the pumps motor is f***. So we are currently shoPping em out. Thank again everyone.

Just wanted to give an update. Thanks to Jay here, all my problems are solved. At one point I was considering suicide as this issue seemed too big to overcome. Jay, with his nice smile and massive tools, made me step back from the ledge of insanity. I am now sitting in my basement listening to the sweet song of silence and dreaming about the eternity of peace I will now have with my sump pump. If you, or anyone you know are having challenges at home, give Jay a call, he is amazing.

Hahaha. Thanks Ryan. But to be honest, my tools are just "average".