Sump Pump & Sewer Pump Service in Norcross, GA

A puzzle, rather than a flood, is behind some sump pump calls. The basement is dry, the weather has been clear for days, and yet the sump pump keeps kicking on. Running after rain is normal. Running when it has not rained in a while points to a source of water unrelated to the last storm, or to a pump that is fooling itself. In a Norcross basement, a few checks sort out which one you are dealing with.

What normal looks like

Groundwater does not vanish the moment rain stops. After a soaking storm, the soil around a foundation can keep feeding a sump for a day or more, with the pump cycling often at first and then less and less. In wetter months the water table can stay high, so a pump may run now and then for weeks. What stands out is a steady rhythm of cycles during a long dry spell, or a sudden jump in activity with no change in the weather.

Time the cycles

Before calling anyone, gather a little data. Note the time of each run over an hour or so, and watch one full cycle: how high the water rises, how long the pump runs and whether the pit starts refilling right away. Look at where the water enters, whether through the drain tile inlet, through the sides of the basin or from somewhere unexpected. That short record makes every later step faster.

Possible sources of dry-weather water

• Irrigation: a sprinkler zone near the foundation, or one with a broken head, can soak the soil every morning.
• A leaking supply line: the buried water service or a pipe under the slab can leak into the ground around the house.
• Discharge returning: water pumped out too close to the house can soak straight back to the pit.
• A failed check valve: water in the discharge pipe drops back into the pit after each cycle, so the pump moves the same water again and again.
• Appliance drains: a condensate line or dehumidifier hose routed into the pit adds water whatever the weather.
• A naturally high water table: some lots simply carry groundwater much of the year.

Ruling out a supply leak

Shut off all water use inside and out, then watch the meter. A spinning leak indicator, or a reading that climbs while the house is quiet, means water is leaving the system somewhere between the meter and the fixtures. Paired with a sump that runs in dry weather, that is a strong hint the water reaching the pit comes from your own plumbing. Water leak detection can pinpoint the source, and a leak in the buried service pipe is handled through main water line repair.

When the pump is the cause

Sometimes there is no extra water at all. A float that sticks in the on position runs the pump with an empty pit. A switch set too low can trigger on very little water. A leaking check valve lets the discharge column drain back, which can look exactly like steady inflow. Watching the pit right after the pump stops tells the story: if the level jumps back up within seconds, the water is coming from the discharge pipe, not the ground.

Norcross permits if piping changes

If tracing the water leads to replacing a buried supply line or rerouting piping, the permit goes through the city's Building Official, whose office issues building permits and inspects plumbing work in Norcross.

Questions about a sump pump running in dry weather in Norcross

How often should a sump pump run when it has not rained?

In a long dry spell, many sump pumps barely run at all, though lots with high groundwater may see occasional cycles year round. The most useful comparison is with your own pump's history: one that used to sit quiet in dry weather and now runs every few minutes has a new water source or a fault. A few days of notes will show the pattern.

Can a lawn sprinkler really keep a sump pump busy?

Yes. A zone that waters beds against the foundation can soak the soil enough to reach the drain tile, especially if heads are broken or aimed at the house. If the pump runs mostly in the hours after the irrigation schedule, switch that zone off for a few days and see what changes. Adjusting heads, shortening run times or moving thirsty plantings away from the wall often helps.

Will a constantly running pump wear out faster?

Generally, yes. Every start puts stress on the motor and switch, and a pump that cycles all day reaches the end of its service life sooner. It also uses electricity for nothing if the same water is being recycled through a bad check valve. Finding the source protects the pump and, if the source turns out to be a leak, saves water as well.

Tracking down the water

Bring your cycle notes and the result of the meter check to the conversation; they shorten the hunt considerably. For background on pumps, alarms and backups, see Alpha's Georgia sump pump overview. A Norcross sump that will not stop running in dry weather is worth a call to Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448.