Potentially Alarming Noises That Your Submersible Sump Pump Can Make

The sump pump in your basement is your home’s first line of defense against flooding, so if your sump pump starts making loud noises while it functions, this can be pretty alarming. This is doubly true if your basement has a submersible sump pump, as many homeowners choose these pumps specifically for their quiet operation.

All sump pumps generate a certain amount of noise while they function properly, but loud noises can be from a variety of mechanical problems. A sump pump that’s makes any of the following unusual noises needs inspecting right away by a professional plumbing service.

Intermittent Thudding Noises

If your sump pump makes a loud thudding or thumping noise when it activates or deactivates, you probably don’t have much to worry about. This noise is usually from the pump’s check valve, which opens and closes whenever the pump turns on or off and regulates the flow of water through the pump.

While these thudding noises usually aren’t from any serious mechanical issues, they can be quite disturbing, especially when they occur in the middle of the night. Your plumbing service can replace the pump’s check valve with a quieter, spring-loaded check valve to solve the issue. These valves are inexpensive, and you can purchase them yourself at larger home improvement stores.

Gurgling or Slurping Noises

Gurgling noises that come from your basement’s sump pit are from water flowing back down the pump’s discharge pipe once a pumping cycle has completed. This is another minor problem from your pump’s check valve, and fitting a spring-loaded valve will allow water to flow through the pump more evenly, reducing the volume of the gurgling noise.

However, if the gurgling has a distinct slurping noise coming from the bottom of the pit, this may indicate that the pump is still running after the sump pit runs dry. This usually isn’t a serious issue, but running a dry sump pump for extended periods can increase wear on the pump’s motor and impeller and may lead to overheating problems.

A good way to tackle both problems is to reconfigure your pump to stop pumping while some water still remains in the sump pit. You can do this yourself, or call in a plumber to make the adjustments for you. This will prevent the slurping noises but may not completely eliminate the gurgling sounds, so you might also consider fitting your sump pit with an insulated lid or cover.

Clanging Noises

Clanging noises usually occur in older submersible sump pumps and are from a vibrating discharge pipe hitting the sides of the sump pit while water flows through it. You can muffle these noises by fitting the discharge pipe with external padding. Your plumber can also fit rubber grommets to the underside of the sump pump’s lid to control the vibration.

These measures are inexpensive and effective, but if your sump pump has been in use for many years, they may not be able to fix the issue entirely. Sump pumps are more prone to excessive vibration as they age and wear out, and you may need to professionally replace the pump if pipe padding and grommets are no longer effective.

Excessive Motor Noise

The motor is always the loudest component in any submersible sump pump and will become louder over time as its internal bearings and lubricants wear out. If your sump pump’s motor has recently become louder, you may be able to control motor noise by replacing the worn components and refilling the pump’s lubricant reservoir(s).

Unfortunately, these are stopgap measures at best, and excessive motor noise from wear will only get worse as time goes by. Depending on the pump’s condition, replacing the pump entirely may be cheaper and easier. Your plumber will be able to recommend the best course of action after disassembling and inspecting the pump.

If your sump pump generates an unusual amount of noise or suffers from any other problems, contact the sump pump experts at Two Men And A Snake today for professional advice.