Why is My Sump Pump Running Constantly?

If your sump pump is humming 24/7—or cycling on and off every 30 seconds—something is wrong.

This is the most common cause. The float ball might be tangled against the side of the pit or the pump housing, tricking the system into thinking the water level is high.

Fix: Open the lid and untangle the float.

The check valve is a one-way flap that stops water from sliding back down the discharge pipe into the pit. If it fails, the pump pushes water out, turns off, and the water falls right back in, triggering the pump again instantly.

Fix: Replace the check valve (located just above the pump).

If you have a high water table and heavy rain, a small 1/4 HP pump might just be overwhelmed. It runs constantly because it can't move water fast enough to empty the pit.

Fix: Upgrade to a 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP unit.