A sump pump has a simple job: collect groundwater in a pit and pump it away before it floods the space. Most failures show up one of two ways. It never stops, or it never starts. Each points to a different set of causes.
Why it runs constantly
- A stuck float switch. The float tells the pump when to run. If it's jammed against the pit wall or debris, the pump can't sense that the water is gone and keeps running.
- A missing or failed check valve. Without a working check valve, water in the discharge pipe flows back into the pit after each cycle, so the pump immediately pumps the same water again.
- A pump that's undersized for how much groundwater your lot produces. This is common in low-lying and near-water properties.
- A high water table or heavy rain. Sometimes there's simply a lot of water, especially during a coastal storm, and the pump is doing exactly what it should.
A pump that never rests wears out far faster and is more likely to fail during the next big storm, which is exactly when you need it. Constant cycling is worth diagnosing even if the basement is dry right now.
Why it won't turn on
- No power. Check that it's plugged in and the breaker or GFCI outlet hasn't tripped. A tripped GFCI is a common and easy-to-miss cause.
- A stuck float in the "down" position, so the pump never gets the signal to start.
- A clogged intake or debris in the pit jamming the impeller.
- A burned-out motor at the end of the pump's life. Sump pumps typically last around 7 to 10 years.
Pour a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should switch on, clear the water, and shut off. If it doesn't cycle cleanly, get it looked at before the next heavy rain. A dead pump discovered mid-storm is how basements flood.
The backup that saves basements: power outages
This is the part homeowners get caught by. The worst flooding often comes with the storms that also knock out power, and a standard sump pump is useless without electricity. A battery-backup or water-powered backup pump keeps pumping when the primary can't. In a coastal, storm-prone area like Toms River, that's often the difference between a dry basement and a flooded one.
What we handle
We repair stuck switches, failed check valves, and clogged pumps, and we install primary and backup pumps sized to your lot. See the details on our sump pump repair & replacement page. If water is showing up somewhere it shouldn't be beyond the pit, our leak detection service can trace the source.
Key takeaways
- Constant running usually means a stuck float, a failed check valve, an undersized pump, or genuinely high groundwater.
- Won't-start usually means no power (check the GFCI), a stuck float, a clog, or a worn-out motor.
- Test the pump with a bucket of water before storm season, not during the storm.
- Sump pumps last roughly 7 to 10 years, and constant cycling shortens that.
- A battery or water-powered backup keeps pumping during the power outages that come with big storms.
Sump pump acting up in Toms River? Beat the next storm.
Repairs, replacements, and backup pumps sized to your lot. 24/7, price up front.
Call (732) 978-9083 Request a callback