Why Do Submersible Pumps Fail? Causes and Solutions

Properties in New York City that use submersible pumps may experience trouble with these devices from time to time. If you’ve scratched your head and wondered, “Why do submersible pumps fail?” you’re not alone. Fortunately, the most common causes of submersible pump failure and their solutions are usually fairly simple. Read on to learn why submersible pumps stop working and what you can do to fix them before calling in the experts at Antler Pumps.

The Two Most Common Types of Submersible Pumps in NYC Properties

Sump pump

Sump pumps, also known as “stormwater sumps,” are used in low-lying areas of buildings to prevent rising water from causing damage, typically during heavy rainstorms or in periods of heavy snow melt. Most often installed in a hole in the floor, they can protect laundry rooms, basements, and low-level condo units from flooding. Water rising in the pump area triggers the pump to run, which then pipes the water to a safer location away from the building, either a landscaped spot or the storm drain system.

Sewage ejector pump

This type of pump is also used in low spots in condominiums, co-ops, and other buildings. Because the force of gravity can’t be relied on to remove wastewater from sinks, toilets, and appliances, a sewage ejector pump gives it an extra push into the sewer main. Like a sump pump, a sewage ejector pump uses a sensor to prompt the pump to run. Sometimes these pumps also pulverize waste before pumping it out of the building, similar to the way a garbage disposal works. Pumps that pulverize waste are known as “sewage grinder pumps.”

Why Do Submersible Pumps Fail?

Wrong Size Pump

Your submersible pumps need to be sized appropriately for the job. With sewage ejector pumps, the basin that holds waste prior to removal may not be large enough for the demand on it.

And with both types of pumps, the motor has to be sufficient. If it has to run constantly, it will burn out faster, causing the pump to fail. Sometimes an upgrade to a larger pump is necessary, especially if a pump was installed before adding more units or more occupants in a condo or co-op. Also, the increase in severe storms in the Northeast means that an old sump pump may not be enough for the massive amounts of rain we’ve seen recently.

Improper Installation

Even if a pump is the correct size, it must be installed properly. Sometimes DIY installations of sewage ejector pumps can go awry, or you might have purchased a property that has an improperly installed pump.

With sump pumps, perfect vertical placement is essential to the pump’s operation. A plumb line should be used to ensure that it’s straight up and down and not tilted even a few degrees to one side.

Electrical power issues

The pumps we use today, versus pumps from previous generations, all use electricity to power their motors. However, if there’s an electrical problem, it can impair the pump’s ability to function. Signs you have electrical supply issues with a submersible pump include:

Pump triggering the circuit breaker
Flickering or dimming lights when the pump runs
Sparking or smoke when the pump runs
Loose pump switch or other electrical parts
Pump running intermittently or won’t turn on
Pump motor is hot to the touch
Signs of frayed wires or plugs
Corrosion or rusting of interior electrical elements due to poor seals around the pump housing

Often, these issues are things we can fix on-site or in our shop. We can check for leaks, loose parts, and the like, replacing or rewiring as needed. If the issue is with your larger electrical system, such as your electrical panel, our partners at Bolt Electric can address the problem.

Sensor failure

As mentioned above, submersible pumps utilize a sensor that tells them when to run. There are two common ways this part of the pump can fail.

First, if the sensor connections are loose or broken, the sensor cannot tell the pump to turn on. This is more of a wiring issue, like the electrical problems discussed above.

Second – and this happens quite frequently – the sensor can get stuck in the pump’s basin. These sensors use a float mechanism that communicates with the pump when the float rises to a certain level. But if the sensor becomes adhered to the pump basin’s side, this system doesn’t work.

The fix here is to make sure the basin is completely clean, giving the sensor free rein to float as it should. You should also ensure that the arm of the sensor isn’t bent or broken, similar to troubleshooting an old-fashioned toilet tank float arm.

Clogs

In any pump system that removes fluid or waste, a clog can stop everything from working. Usually, this shows up as water backing up in the sump basin or waste accumulating in fixtures instead of being flushed away by an ejector pump.

A good cleaning of the pump basin and nearby piping is the place to start when remedying this kind of pump failure. If a clog has occurred further down the line, we may request assistance from our Omnia Mechanical Group associates at Sanitary Plumbing.

Sometimes a strainer can be added to filter out detritus from a sump pump. With a sewage ejector pump, user education is the key. Building occupants need to know exactly what they may and may not flush or put down a sink drain. Forbidden items include:

Large bits of food garbage
Coffee grounds
Cooking grease, especially anything that solidifies as it cools
Paper towels
Feminine hygiene products
Diaper and face wipes

If you have a submersible pump failing on you and the fixes above don’t yield results, Antler Pumps is happy to come out and have a look. We also encourage you to contact us for routine pump maintenance, which is another way to prevent pump failure and is more proactive than waiting for a problem to surface. Call us today at 212-534-2500 to schedule an appointment.