basement pump

[jmtolivia]

I need help!! I have an underground basement water pump that appears to be malfunctioning. I think the check valve (not sure if that is even the name)is stuck in the open position because all it does is run. I no longer hear the opening and closing of whatever it is I usually hear doing this. There is a fauset looking knob located on one of the two pipes that leads from the steel top/ cover that is bolted to the basement concrete floor. There are two arrows on the knob that suggest that it can be turned either left or right. When the pump first started malfunctioning I noticed that the opening and closing would happen every 30 seconds and could be heard from anywhere in my house - very loud. To stop the violence, I turned the knob to the right and noticed that the pump would open and close normally. Then that stop working and now the pump is just one all the time. I have unplugged the pump because I am afraid it will burn out because there is no water to in the tank/pit to pump. I also noticed that while this pump issue was going on my basement toilet appeared to be clogged and/or sluggish to flush. I am currently using a liquid de-clogger to see if the toilet problem has something to do with the pump problem. Having said all that, can you tell me if you think I have a pump problem that need professional help or do I have a toilet problem that has affected the water flow to the pump? Also do you know the purpose of the knob and wheather or not I should touch it at all? Thanks for your help!! By the way, the pump was installed in Sept of 1997.

Judy M - Atlanta

[jmtolivia]

I need help. I have an undergroud basement pump that appears to be malfunctioning. The pump was installed in 1997. It appears that the pump is no longer opening and closing as is should and appears to be stuck in the open position. When the pump first started to malfunction, it would loudly open and close every 30 seconds anytime water was being used in the basement of my home. To stop the violence, I would turn this fauset looking knob that is located on one of the two pipes that lead from the steel cover/top bolted to the concrete floor of the basement. The knob has two arrows on it that suggest that it could be turned either right or left. When I began to turn it more and more to the right, the pump would open and close more normally and evently started working correctly. However, that didn't last. Now the pump is running constantly in what sounds like a empty tank. I have unplugged the pump because I am afraid that it will burn out. In addition to the pump issue, it appears that I have a problem with the basement toilet. It appears be clogged, slow to flush and slow to fill. The toilet also acts like it wants to over flow. So can you tell me if the pump needs professional help and if the toilet may have something to do with the pump problems. Also, what is the purpose of the knob and whether or not I should even touch it at all?

thanks - Judy, Atlanta

[joed]

Sounds like your pressure tank is water logged and your drain line is clogged.
I'm not sure what the faucet looking thingy is you turned. Can you post a picture?

[jmtolivia]

So do you think the clogged drain line is causing the toilet problem too. I will take a picture of the knob that is attached to pvc pipe. Is this clogged drain something I can fix or do I need to call a plumber?

thanks!

Judy

[joed]

Clogged line is likely the toilet issue. Do you have any kids? Cold a 'lost' toy? It could be a plunger will solve the problem or it could be you need the line snake out by a plumber.

[Fischer]

I'm assuming that this is a sump pump. The sump pump should have nothing to do with the toilet. If it does you're in a bit of trouble, but I doubt it.

Did you actually take the cover off the sump pit? Is there any water in that pit? Couldn't quite decipher what you were saying.

If you turned the valve and it was connected to the outflow of the pump and you closed it, then water would not be allowed to flow and the pump would continuously work. If the pump is disconnected from the pipe below the cover, that would cause it to run continuously.

The float or diaphragm could be stuck. If it's a float there will be a sphere that goes up and down with the water level, and that's easy to fix. If it's a diaphragm you'll probably need a handyman or a plumber. I'd check for a handyman first. Please check under the lid and let us know what you see.

[Fischer]

Do you have a grinder pump that pumps the basement waste up and then out, or do you have your waste pipe 4" in diameter going into the floor?

If this is the case disregard my other answer in the other thread.