A sump pump removes water accumulated in a water-collecting sump pit. The water is typically pumped out of the pit and away from the building foundation to a safe location, such as a storm sewer or municipal drainage system.
Sump pumps are often used in basement waterproofing applications to prevent flooding and mold growth. They can also be used in crawl spaces and other areas where groundwater seepage is problematic.
If you have a sump pump, you may have noticed that it makes a humming or buzzing noise when it is running. This noise is caused by the check valve vibrating as it closes.
The check valve is an important part of the sump pump system, and its purpose is to prevent the water that has been pumped out of the sump pit from flowing back into it.
This blog post will show you how to get rid of the check valve noise so that you can have a peaceful home once again.
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Things you can do to stop Sump Pump Check Valve Noise
If your sump pump check valve is making noise, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
Use A Quiet Check Valve
Some manufacturers make silenced check valves for sump pumps. These valves have a built-in muffler that helps to reduce or eliminate the check valve noise. These quiet check valves are a bit more expensive than the standard check valves, but they may be worth the investment if your sump pump is located in a living area of your home.
These valves help reduce the noise, but they can also prolong the life of your sump pump by reducing wear and tear on the moving parts.
Install A Check Valve Isolation Kit
If you cannot find a quiet check valve that fits your sump pump, or if you want to try and fix the problem yourself, you can install a check valve isolation kit. These kits typically come with two rubber isolation pads and some mounting hardware.
The isolation pads are placed between the check valve and the sump pump to help reduce vibration and noise. The mounting hardware is used to secure the check valve in place so that it does not move around and continue to make noise.
Install The Check Valve Above The Sump Pit
If your sump pump check valve is making noise, you can try and install it above the sump pit. This will help to reduce the noise because the water will not have to travel as far to reach the check valve.
You may need to use a longer piece of PVC pipe to connect the check valve to the discharge pipe if you install it above the sump pit.
Use A Different Type Of Check Valve
Two main check valves are used on sump pumps: swing-type and spring-type. The swing-type check valves have a flap that swings open when the water is flowing in the right direction and closes when the water tries to flow back into the sump pit.
The spring-type check valves have a rubber stopper that is forced open by the water flowing in the right direction and closes when the water tries to flow back into the sump pit.
Swing-type check valves are more common because they are less likely to get stuck in the open or closed position. However, spring-type check valves are less likely to make noise because they do not have any moving parts.
You can try replacing your swing-type check valve with a spring-type check valve to see if this fixes the problem.
Add A Cover To The Sump Pit
If your sump pit does not have a cover, you can try adding one. The cover will help to reduce the noise by absorbing some of the sounds. You can find sump pit covers at most home improvement stores.
If you cannot find a cover that fits your sump pit, you can try making one yourself out of a piece of plywood or another type of material.
Check the valve for any dirt or debris
Often, the check valve can get clogged with dirt or debris, which can cause it to make noise. You can try cleaning the check valve to see if this fixes the problem.
To clean the check valve, you need to remove it from the sump pump and disassemble it. Then, clean all of the parts with a brush and some water. You can also use a hose to flush out any dirt or debris.
Replace The Check Valve
If cleaning the check valve does not fix the problem, you may need to replace it. You can find replacement check valves at most home improvement stores or online.
Pro Tips to ensure your sump pump check valve’s health
These are the professional tips:
- Inspect your check valve regularly to ensure it is clean and free of debris.
- If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to descale your sump pump check valve every few months.
- If your check valve is making noise, you can try installing it above the sump pit or using a different type of check valve.
- You can also try adding a cover to the sump pit to help reduce the noise.
Check valves are an essential part of your sump pump system and help to keep your basement dry. By following these tips, you can ensure that your check valve is working properly and helping to keep your home dry.
Final Words
If your sump pump check valve is making noise, there are a few things you can try to fix the problem. For example, you can install a check valve isolation kit, install the check valve above the sump pit, use a different check valve, add a cover to the sump pit, or seal gaps and cracks around the sump pump.
You may also need to replace worn or damaged parts, clean the check valve, or replace the check valve. Hopefully, one of these solutions will stop the noise from your sump pump check valve.
We hope this blog post was helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
