A sump pump is a device installed in a home’s basement. It is used to pump water out of the basement and prevent flooding. The sump pump is connected to a drainage system that carries the water away from the house.
Though it is not most likely that sump pumps run more at night than during the day. One theory is that the increased water level in the basement at night puts more pressure on the sump pump. Another theory is that the cooler temperatures at night cause the water to expand, putting more pressure on the sump pump.
Whatever the reason, if your sump pump is running more at night, you can do a few things to help it run more efficiently and reduce wear and tear on the pump.
This blog post will discuss the probable reasons why a sump pump runs more at night and some tips to prevent it.
Contents
How Does a Sump Pump Work?
A sump pump is a device installed in a home’s basement. It is used to pump water out of the basement and prevent flooding. The sump pump is connected to a drainage system that carries the water away from the house.
Most people don’t think about their sump pump until it fails them, leaving them with a flooded basement. But, if you have a sump pump, it’s important to know how it works and what you can do to keep it running smoothly.
A sump pump is installed in the lowest part of your basement. It will have a hole drilled into the floor, and a pipe will be inserted into this hole. The sump pump will then sit in the pit that is created.
The sump pump has a float switch that turns the pump on when the water level rises. The float switch is what allows the sump pump to know when to turn on and off. For example, the float switch will trigger the pump to turn on when the water level rises to a certain point. The water will then be pumped out of the basement and into the drainage system.
Once the water has been pumped out, the float switch will turn off the pump. The cycle will then start over again when the water level rises.
Reasons Why Sump Pumps Seem to Run More at Night
A sump pump is most unlikely to run more at night. Nevertheless, a sump pump is vital to keeping your basement dry. If you notice that it seems to be running more at night, there are a few possible explanations.
1. Temperature and Humidity
One of the most common reasons a sump pump may seem to run more at night is the temperature and humidity. As the temperature decreases, the air can hold less moisture. Unfortunately, this means that the relative humidity will increase.
The increased humidity can cause the water level in the sump pit to rise. This will trigger the float switch, and the sump pump will turn on. The cycle will then continue until the humidity decreases, and the water level goes down.
2. Barometric Pressure
Barometric pressure is another reason a sump pump may seem to run more at night. The barometric pressure is the pressure of the air around us. It can fluctuate depending on the weather.
If the barometric pressure decreases, it can cause the water level in the sump pit to rise. This is because the decrease in pressure will allow the water to expand. The float switch will trigger the pump to turn on when this happens.
3. Evaporation
The first reason why sump pumps seem to run more at night is because of evaporation. During the day, the sun evaporates water from the earth’s surface. At night, this process slows down, and the water table rises. This means more water in the ground for the sump pump to remove.
This will not affect much if the day temperature is lower than the night temperature. It will only come into impact if the temperature difference is too high. In this case, the sump pump will work harder to remove the water at night.
4. Higher Water Table
Another reason is that the water table is higher at night. This is because the ground absorbs heat during the day, which causes the water to expand. At night, the ground cools, and the water contracts. This causes the water table to rise.
The water table is the level at which the ground is saturated with water. It can fluctuate depending on the time of day and the weather. If you live in a high water table area, your sump pump will have to work harder to remove the water. This is because there is more water in the ground to remove.
5. Float Switch Problem
If your sump pump seems to be running more at night, it could be due to a float switch problem. The float switch is what turns the pump on and off. If the float switch is not working correctly, it could cause the pump to turn on more frequently.
This can be due to various reasons, such as a dirty or damaged float switch. If you think this may be the problem, you should contact a professional to have it checked.
Getting Professional Help
A sump pump is a device that works mechanically, and it is most unlikely that it will run more at night. If your sump pump seems to be running more frequently, there could be a problem with something else. You should contact a professional to have it checked.
A professional can diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action. They will also be able to tell you if there is anything you can do to prevent it from happening in the future.
Final Words
A sump pump is most unlikely to run more at night. If you notice that it seems to be running more frequently, there could be a problem with the float switch or another issue. You should contact a professional to have it checked.
We hope this article has helped you understand why a sump pump may seem to run more at night. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
