I'm having some trouble with my sump pump, which has been a long-standing issue after a botched job by a contractor during a HUD update about 25 years ago. Whenever it rains heavily, my basement floods because the pump's float mechanism isn't working properly. I've installed a chain to manually pull the float when it doesn't engage, but it's still really tough to manage, and I often have to reposition it just to get the pump going. I'm looking for advice on the ideal position for the float to ensure it operates effectively. I'm not sure of the pump's brand, and I'll share photos and a video of the situation soon. Also, just for context, it's a bit hard for me to access due to the hole being 3.5 feet deep, and I'm only 5 feet tall.
2 Answers
I used to handle many electrical service calls for sump pumps and similar issues. My go-to fix was replacing the float switch with a Square-D Sumptrol switch. This switch gives you better control compared to the standard swinging floats. You might want to consider shortening the float's swing length a bit—just avoid making it too short, as that could cause other issues. The Sumptrol lets you set the on and off points very precisely, which is a big advantage.
There's a good chance that the float might be stuck on the side of the sump pit or maybe even on something else inside. Just a heads-up, I'm waiting to see those pics you mentioned earlier. If you could also post the pump specs that are on the label of the cord, that would help out a lot!
Oh no, I didn’t realize the pictures didn’t go through! I'll make sure to post them next time.
That sounds like a solid, long-term fix! I saw one at Home Depot labeled as a 40/60 pressure switch for well pumps by Everbilt. Is that what you mean? Can it work with most pumps?