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Okay, I have no idea about electrical, machines, or plumbing. You put a machine that lives it’s life in watered down excrement and I’m triply lost. Anyway, the scenario–super of house (me) discovers sump under stoop. Basement apt. is @ 3′ under street level, guessing that is reason for sump–push water up to main sewer. Sump is in big bucket-like thing semi-embedded in concrete. Bucket thingee is filled to rim w/ water and never seems otherwise and when super is taking out trash whilest wife is washing dishes, water overflows and goes south to unknown locales, no complaining basement tenents yet. Elec. supply for sump is all good. Does a sump make noise when it’s doing it’s thing? Hear nothing, never. Time to replace said sump? Where does one acquire such a miraculous product? Poop jokes welcomed and encouraged. Got a good poem for this, will post later.
Thanks, Clay
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Clay,
Is this just for water runoff or is the sump actually running into your septic, carrying toilet waste? If the latter, I'd hope that is has a sealed top on the can...
Pumps fail for several reasons. With good elec supply, it could be the switch or the motor that's bad. Most switches are either float or diaphragm actuated.
The fun part is you get to pull the pump, lick it clean, and check it out. The float or diaphragm could simply be "jammed", ie, embedded/covered in solidified waste. A cleanup should get it going again. Most pumps are sealed, so if you're not inclined or, depending on pump construction, physically able to check out the innards, your best bet may be to simply replace it. Decent units that can pass 1.5-2" solids can be had for around $170-200 USD. From either a plumbing supply house or a big box.
* Clay,
Joseph Fusco View Image
*Somewhere this thing should plug in. There should be two plugs, one plugged into the other piggy back. The one that is plugged into the wall outlet is the switch, the other one is the pump. Unplug the pump from the switch, if it runs without the switch you need a new switch, if it doesn't then the problem is the pump.If it is hardwired there should be a junction box, perhaps in the tank, with a similar electrical connection, but not as easy to diagnose.
*we used to have to kick ours every spring to convince it it was time to start up for another season. if that doesn't work, try other things.
*Shoulda took all said advice and dove in head first....Plumber #1--"No touch'e", Plumber #2 (roto rooter)-- "two days from now", Plumber #3--(biggest bonded add in the phone book) "we're there dude," five minutes later and he is= $600.00 (to do what Mongo sed)Yeesh, and to think those big ass monkey wrenches that cost $45.00 and a fear of fifty gallons ofi floating deathwere all that kept me from the DIY world o' plumbin'....
*Fogedduboutit.When the chinese restaaurant on the back side of the block starts losing customers, its time to call the plumber. Buy them boots if you need to.Has anyone heard the story of the mortuary's sump that backed up in Downtown Denver and the waste ended up pouring thru the floor drains of the restaurant across the way? The restaurant manager never missed a click, he just sent out for boots for the kitchen help an'"kept on servin' the patrons". I loved the article. Reminded me of Taco Bell's policy for closure following a robbery in the LA area years ago: keep on servin' until blood hits the food or the district manager gives a "close" order, or whichever comes first. Close the doors but strive to keep the drive-thru window open at all costs.Don't even think about calling a plumber until the shit has hit the proverbial fan. But what if the plumber says "screw you".....$200.00 an hour or fix it yourself?