Just tonight I heard the alarm from my battery back up sump pump go off.
Went downstairs and the main pump was running non stop and not pumping anything. I unplugged the pump, and then plugged it back in and then it pumped out the pit so I thought it was OK.
An hour later I heard the alarm again so I went down and the same thing happened. Unplugged the main pump, waited and plugged it back in and it worked again. However when it stopped I noticed what seemed to be water backflowing into the pit.
At this point I lifted the float and it started running but it was just agitating the water in the pit and not pumping, even though I could hear some water moving in the discharge.
I disconnected the main check valve to see if it's holding water back and it is, as I got sprayed in the face when I loosened the hose clamp :laughing:
Here is a diagram of how it is configured. The red arrows point to check valves. The upper one is not necessary but I still use it as a safeguard.
So anyways, I'm not sure where to go from here to diagnose the problem. Any help would be appreciated.
Went downstairs and the main pump was running non stop and not pumping anything. I unplugged the pump, and then plugged it back in and then it pumped out the pit so I thought it was OK.
An hour later I heard the alarm again so I went down and the same thing happened. Unplugged the main pump, waited and plugged it back in and it worked again. However when it stopped I noticed what seemed to be water backflowing into the pit.
At this point I lifted the float and it started running but it was just agitating the water in the pit and not pumping, even though I could hear some water moving in the discharge.
I disconnected the main check valve to see if it's holding water back and it is, as I got sprayed in the face when I loosened the hose clamp :laughing:
Here is a diagram of how it is configured. The red arrows point to check valves. The upper one is not necessary but I still use it as a safeguard.

So anyways, I'm not sure where to go from here to diagnose the problem. Any help would be appreciated.