A sump pump is an essential part of your home plumbing system if you own a basement or crawl space, especially if you live in an area where flooding is common.
If you are worried about the likelihood of flooding, then you should invest in a good quality sump pump.
Whilst they can be a great source of help when it comes to keeping heavy rain out of the house, they can become noisy.
Whilst this doesn’t happen to everyone, it also doesn’t mean it isn’t an uncommon occurrence.
When it does happen, it can interrupt a peaceful evening of watching a movie with the kids, or trying to get a bit of shuteye.
In this article we will look at why your sump pump may be making a noise, and what to do about it.
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Why Does My Sump Pump Run So Loudly?
Whilst you may be wondering if your sump pump is coming to an end, there might actually be other reasons as to why your sump pump has begun making noises.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why:
Aging Of Motor
The most obvious reason your sump pump may be making a loud noise is due to the age of the motor.
As they work hard throughout the years to keep the rain out, normal wear and tear is bound to happen.
This can also happen if the sump pump wasn’t installed properly in the first place. It may have been exposed to the elements and accumulated corrosion and rust which has caused it to make a loud noise.
You may hear a loud motor noise if this is the issue.
Badly Put Together
If the pump hasn’t been mounted properly, then there is a good chance that there could be vibration noises coming from the sump pump.
This is especially true if some of the joints and angles of the pipes have been placed wrong.
All of these factors can cause the sump pump to vibrate as it works, which ultimately means it will make a noise as it does its job.
Failed Check Valve
If you find that there is a sort of clanging noise that doesn’t stop beyond the startup, then it may suggest that the check valve has failed.
You may also find that an older valve is more likely to make this noise, so it is worth checking, especially if you have a more modern valve.
A Float That Hasn’t Been Set Properly
When the pump has cycled, it is normal to hear the gurgling and sloshing sounds of the water making its way down the discharge pipe.
However, if the float hasn’t been set properly, there is a chance that the pump is running despite the pit being empty.
This is what creates the noise that sounds like slurping!
Continually Running
Whilst the noise may not be anything different to usual, you may find that you can hear it work 24/7. When this is the case, there could be a number of issues:
The float pump switch may have malfunctioned, there could be a clog of something in the discharge pipe, or there is potentially a check valve that has become faulty.
Very Loud Humming
A sump pump usually makes a humming sound, however, if it is unusually loud, then there could be a problem.
There is a good chance that is is not pumping water, so you will need to get this checked out as soon as possible.
So What Does A Sump Pump Even Sound Like?
A healthy sump pump shouldn’t get in the way of a Netflix binge. Instead, it’ll sound like a background noise that may even help get some people to sleep.
There should be a faint, really quiet, humming noise. It is similar to the sound of a refrigerator. You hear it, but you don’t hear it.
Mostly, listening to the low humming noise can reassure you that it is working properly, but if it starts to develop excess noise that is less soothing, then you should get it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
How To Make A Sump Pump Quieter
Now we have looked at why a sump pump may be running loudly, let’s take a look at how to make it quieter.
Change The Check Valve
If you find that the check valve you have in the sump pump is old and is causing the noisy problem, then change it. Older check valves are basic and use a swing method. T
Whilst it works fine, even today, it can cause an uneven flow of water which in turn makes a gurgling sound. It may even sound like a hammering noise which is never fun to listen to.
Use A Submersible Sump Pump
For the quietest of sump pumps, always go with a submersible type as opposed to a pedestal sump pump. The latter can be seen sticking out from the sump pit, whilst the former is completely underground.
This means the noise is trapped away and cannot be heard echoing in the air because they are enclosed in the pump basin which is situated underground.
Use A Cover
If your sump pump is working fine but you just want to dampen the noise, then insulation can do a great job.
Most modern sump pumps actually come with a cover to help remove most of the noise, but you can always buy something.
If vibrations are what’s annoying you, then a rubber gasket can be used to remove as much of the feeling as possible.
Quieten The Discharge Pipe
When the water is flowing through the pipe, sometimes the vibrations this causes makes the pipe hit and bang any nearby walls or the floor.
You can use an insulation that absorbs sounds to wrap around the discharge pipe. It will remove the banging noise, but will also dampen the noise of the water going through the pipes.
Changing The Height Of The Float
The sump pit should never become completely dry. If it does, it will suck up any air and traces of water causing the whole thing to make a number of slurping and gurgling noises.
By making sure the float height has been adjusted correctly – so the sump pump finishes just before the basin dries up – then it should stop making the noise that resembles somebody trying to suck up the remains of a drink through a straw.
Replace The Entire Sump Pump
If all else fails, then it might just be worth replacing the entire sump pump. Whilst it is a drastic measure, sometimes it cannot be helped.
This is usually the case when the sump pump is about to give way and there is no chance of rescuing it. It is also a good time to upgrade to a modern sump pump, too.
Conclusion
Sump pumps are important parts of any basement. Without them, you could end up having serious flooding problems that could cause a few hundred dollars worth of damage.
If you have a good working sump pump, you should still check its condition regularly. It’s possible that it could still develop an issue.
Whilst they do make a general humming sound, there shouldn’t be any constant noises that sound like banging, slurping or a loud vibration.
