Well, just hobbled back up from the Basement. Heard some weird running noise in the Basement; so, I went to check it out. Found out the sump pump was running and not turning off. Lift the lid, and there was about 1/2 inch of sand in the bottom of the plastic pit. unplugged the pump and lifted it up a couple of times. Then Plugged it back in. Sump pit was bone dry.


Any idea what caused it to not stop running?

What type of float switch does it have? some of the diaphragm ones can be problematic in my opinion. Hopefully it didn't run long enough to take the mechanical seal out of it.

Said was sand in the bottom and after picked it up it quit? Sounds like the sand had it bound up.

It's a Zoeller 1/3 HP Sump Pump. Sound like it might be time to run the shop vac in the Morning, and suck out the sand from the pit. Must have been from the hot water tanks , when they were flushed out a Month ago. All that water, 80 gallons of it, ran from a garden hose, to the sump pit , when the tanks were drained and flushed out.

I bet the float switch went out.

you can get new switches for them...Not hard to replace...

I agree time to get the sand out.

is it this unit https://www.amazon.com/Zoeller-Migh...&hvtargid=pla-497546740232&psc=1


if it is they have a replacement switch , but it is 95 dollars https://www.amazon.com/Zoeller-Cap-...ent+switch&qid=1640872952&sr=8-3


granger also has parts https://www.grainger.com/category/pumps/pump-replacement-parts/pumps-parts?brandName=ZOELLER&filters=brandName&ef_id=CjwKCAiAzrWOBhBjEiwAq85QZzweUw-Yx0XIjTuQ03-TNE8flQYh55vbivHoZUXJEYI77Q_Nitk4ABoCkt0QAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!431945875106!!!g!!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2296:9JMEDM:20500731&gclid=CjwKCAiAzrWOBhBjEiwAq85QZzweUw-Yx0XIjTuQ03-TNE8flQYh55vbivHoZUXJEYI77Q_Nitk4ABoCkt0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds



I put in one of these https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi....htm?tid=4113895720535296270&ipos=10
this fall to replace my >18 year old pedestal pump as the impeller fell off the shaft I don't get rain water , just air conditioner , water heater and wash basin.

this one moves water plenty fast for the 5 feet of lift it needs to get to the sewer line

The float/bulb switch can get stuck. Mine has the floating bulb. Every now and then it sticks on. I go and shut it off.

Then go down and lift it up and shake it a bit. Plug it in and were good to go. I have a new bulb down there, just haven't changed it out.

Its going on 11 years old.

Did you try it after you dropped it back in the hole? It might have just got stuck. The problem may be fixed if not the switch has gone out.

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


After checking prices on a new sump pump, I decided to try to lift that sump up. Moved it 2 inches away from the wall of the sump pit. Grabbed ahold of the float , and lifted it up, like it would if it were full of water. Did that twice. Both times, the pump kicked on and pumped water. Must have somehow got wedged up against the wall of the pit. Now, just have to clean the pit out of the sediment that went into the sump pit.,

Saved myself $180.00 !!!

When I was a kid we had to sink a sump pump tank in the basement. Should of made the sump bigger because the torque when it kicked on would move the pump around. Several times it would bind the float against the wall of the pit. Ended up hanging the pump from the floor joist to cure that problem.

If it ran without shutting off I would replace it. When spring gets here and it starts raining you dont want to be looking for another and replacing it in two feet of water. If that one will still pump water set it aside for a spare. When you need one (heavy rain) so does a lot of other people. May have to wait.

Sometimes the alkiline sedimentbuilds up on the bubble float and that weight can turn and keep it on.
Save $ 180
that's another night stay at White17 place now, unless he gets wise and reads this post