A sump pump that runs constantly usually has a stuck float switch, a failed check valve letting water flow back into the pit, or more groundwater coming in than it can handle, such as during heavy rain or with a high water table. A pump that runs nonstop with an empty pit has a switch problem and will burn out if it isn't fixed.
Reviewed by Ron Olsen, Master Plumber, certified in Washington
Why a Sump Pump Won’t Shut Off
- Stuck float switch
- The float catches on the side of the pit or debris, so the pump never shuts off.
- Failed check valve
- Water in the discharge line runs back into the pit after each cycle.
- High water table or heavy rain
- More water is coming in than usual.
- Undersized pump
- The pump can't keep up with the amount of water entering the pit.
- Frozen or clogged discharge line
- The water has nowhere to go, so the pit stays full.
What You Can Safely Check
- Unplug the pump before reaching into the pit.
- Check that the float moves freely and isn't caught on the wall or debris.
- Listen after the pump shuts off. Water rushing back into the pit points to a failed check valve.
- Make sure the outdoor discharge line isn't frozen or blocked.
When to Call a Plumber
Call a plumber if the pump runs with an empty pit, if the check valve has failed, if the pump can't keep up during rain, or if the motor is hot or noisy. A plumber can replace the switch, valve or pump and add a backup.
The repair is usually part of sump pump repair, which explains what the plumber does and what affects the cost.
Sump Pumps by City
What our city pages say about sump pumps:
- Castle Rock, CO: A dead pump lets snowmelt and storm water into a finished basement.
- Ankeny, IA: A pump that quits in a spring storm floods a finished basement.
- Pleasant Prairie, WI: A pump that quits in a storm or thaw lets the basement flood.
- Schaumburg, IL: A dead pump lets spring rain and snowmelt flood the basement.
- Rochester Hills, MI: Spring thaw and heavy rain push sump pumps in finished basements.
- Shawnee, KS: A pump that dies in a spring storm lets water into the basement.
- Fishers, IN: A pump that quits in a storm floods a finished basement.
- Ellicott City, MD: A dead pump or a power cut lets storm water into a finished basement.
Sump Pump Questions
Is it normal for a sump pump to run a lot after rain?
Yes. Frequent cycling during and after heavy rain is normal. Running nonstop with an empty or nearly empty pit is not.
Can a sump pump burn out from running constantly?
Yes. Continuous running overheats the motor and shortens the pump's life.