Why Your Sump Pump Runs Constantly
Why a sump pump runs constantly — stuck float, failed check valve, undersized pit, or high groundwater — and how to check each safely before it burns out.
Category
Sump Pumps & Interior Drainage
When keeping water out is not enough, the last line of defense manages the water that gets in. This section explains sump pits and pumps, interior perimeter drains, discharge lines and the maintenance these systems need to be there when it storms.
Guides · Page 2 of 3
Sump Pumps & Interior Drainage articles
Sump Pit and Basin Basics
What a sump pit is and does — sizing, liner, lid, and drain inlets — and why a pit that is too small makes the pump short-cycle. A homeowner's guide.
Battery Backup Sump Pumps Explained
How battery backup sump pumps work, what determines runtime, how to maintain the battery, and the trade-offs to weigh before you buy.
Water-Powered Backup Sump Pumps
How water-powered backup sump pumps work, why the no-battery design appeals, and the water-use and city-water-only limits to weigh first.
Sump Pump Discharge Freezing in Winter
Why a sump pump discharge line freezes in winter, the damage a blockage causes, and how slope, drainage, and fittings lower the risk.
How Long Do Sump Pumps Last?
How long sump pumps typically last, what shortens their life, the warning signs of a failing pump, and why age and testing matter.
Sump Pump Alarms and Monitoring
The types of sump pump alarms and smart monitors, where they help most, and why monitoring warns you but does not replace a backup pump.
How to Install a Sump Pump
How to install a sump pump step by step — pit, pump, check valve, discharge line, GFCI power, and testing — plus where DIY installs go wrong.
How Often Should a Sump Pump Run?
How often a sump pump should run — from rarely in dry weather to often during storms — and what abnormal cycling every few seconds or nonstop really means.