Having a very reliable and self-contained pumping system is very crucial however this does not mean there won’t be minor issues that will need sorting out sometimes.
The sump pump has been designed to allow for sewage draining of sinks, washing machines, and tubs, where a gravity system won’t work, but you might encounter some concerns such as the pump running with rain.
Sink drain pumps are very important in your home and the installation process is an easy one too. One of its functions is to dewater basements and courtyards that are subject to flooding. But if your sink drain pump starts running and there is no single raindrop then there is something wrong with it.
The common reason your sink pump can be running without rain is if there is an increase in groundwater, although there are also reasons such as the melting of snow, a rise in table water or there is broken flow switch, this can all turn your sump pump on even when all water has been drained. An increase in groundwater can come from sources like broken pipes, nearby rivers, lakes, or nearby construction.
The flow rate of your sink drain pumps is important. These pumps are connected near the area to enable automatic basin draining when it’s full, but it should only run when the water level activates the flow switch.
So, if it is running consistently and there has been no rain, this blog post contains ways it can be fixed.
How do Sink Pumps Work?
Sink pumps or sump pumps as they are popularly called have a movable float on the sewage ejector pump, this begins to pump when the level of wastewater in the sump basin reaches a certain height which triggers the pump sink and wastewater is pumped out of the basin and up to the level of the sewer or septic line, when the water drops, the float goes back down and turn off the pump.
The sink drain pump system is similar to the one in your toilet tank, and it is activated by a float as well, it is installed directly to the tailpiece of your sink.
The conventional approach is to connect it to a nearby sink or drain but most are not built to handle that volume of extra water. One of the best methods will be to have the discharge pipe release the water to the ground 10 feet away from the foundation, or it can be connected to the storm sewer.
A sump pump installation can help your home in many ways. The installation is also a quick and easy one but notes that there are different types, and they do have different installation processes.
So, in simple terms, a sink sump pump is a device that is used to remove water that has accumulated commonly found in your basement to the outside of your home.
Why Is My Sink Pump Running Without Rain?
Installing a sink-sump pump is an important plumbing step for any household and when you suddenly hear a whooshing sound of water coming from your home that indicates your sump pump is hard at work on a sunny day, there are reasons for this.
A sink pump malfunctioning can cause water damage to your home so here are reasons it might be running without rain.
1. There Is An Increase in Ground Water or Water Table
An increase in groundwater is one of the common reasons why sink pumps can run when there is no rain.
Your sump pump is only meant to work when there is water accumulation but if it is completely dry outside then the first thing to consider is that there are exterior conditions like an increase in groundwater or water table.
Groundwater can come from any source like the lake or river and an increase in the water table can also be a stream or river nearby that overflowed. Detecting this above ground can be a bit difficult, so you can call on a plumber to check for any ground water leak, nearby construction, or broken pipe.
2. A Clogged Drain Line
If your sump pump keeps working and there is no rise in the water table then it might be time to clear the drain lines.
Sink pumps are designed to rely on drains to move the water from your basement to its exterior but if it is clogged, even the most powerful pump won’t drain any water at that point.
Dirt and debris are known to get stuck in the drain line over time so if your sump pump is working, but no water is being discharged, you can clear it yourself if the blockage is on the surface, but if it’s further down the drain, get a plumbing professional.
3. Broken Float Switch
There can also be the case of a broken float switch which is another common reason sump pumps can malfunction. Check if your float switch is not stuck in the up or on position.
The float switch is meant to be the triggering mechanism that activates the discharge of water, and it rises and fall with the level of water, it might not know when to turn off.
This can be quickly fixed by manually adjusting the switch but if it is completely damaged then a replacement will be needed.
4. Pump Draining Failure
If the 3 reasons listed above are not the cause of your pump sink running, you might want to check that it is actually draining water from the pit.
You have to conduct a manual test to see why your sink pump is running but not really draining any water, there can be mechanical or electrical faults associated with that.
Add some to the pit to raise the floating system then have the sink pump switch to the on position, if it runs without, but water is not being drained, the pump or drain is likely to be the issue.
5. Melting Snow
Another case scenario that can cause the sink pump to run when there is no rain can be the result of melting snow.
So, if it has recently snowed in your area and the temperature has risen above freezing, all the snow starts melting and that turns into water that could have seeped into the ground thereby triggering the sump pump to run.
It is good for the sump pump to run during this period since you do not want the moisture getting into the house provide the sink pump stops running as soon as all the snow is completely melted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should the sump pump run when not raining?
A sump pump is only meant to work when there is water to evacuate a certain water level which is when it is needed. it will work pretty well as soon as the water level activates the switch and when it’s not raining, it works depending on your location, the quality of the pump, and how heavy rainfall is.
Why is my sump pump running in the winter?
A sump pump working in the winter is ideal and this is because of the snow and ice melting which eventually seeps water into the pump pit. So, you may hear the sink pump working from time to time during winter, it ensures you do not end up with a wet basement.
How often should the sump pump run when it’s raining?
The sump pump can run for 6 hours depending on how strong and how heavy the rain is. However, a sump pump should run when it’s needed, most drain pumps run every 15 to 20 seconds while it’s raining. It may run more often if it is raining nonstop.
Wrapping Up
While you can attempt to resolve the issues with your sump pump manually but either adjusting the switch or clearing clogged drains or applying spray lubricant to see if the plumbing switch will move, if none of that works, and it seems more complicated, it might be wise to get a professional plumber to take a look at it.
The sink drain pump which is also known as the sump pump is meant to protect your home from rising waters and heavy rains, it can effectively solve the issues of wastewater in areas where you have your sink, washing machines, and kitchenettes.