Just bought a new house with an unfinished basement. It has an ejector pump that is in an enclosed pit. The only incoming drains is from the clothes washer. I don't understand why the pump activates when I haven't used the washer for a couple of days. Could there be a leak in the check valve that allows water back into the pit or could the pump be on a timer? Thanks.

The flapper in the check valve could be leaking, but ground water making it's way into the sump bucket is a more likely possibility.

I can't imagine why a timer would have been installed, by the way.

Just bought a new house with an unfinished basement. It has an ejector pump that is in an enclosed pit. The only incoming drains is from the clothes washer. I don't understand why the pump activates when I haven't used the washer for a couple of days. Could there be a leak in the check valve that allows water back into the pit or could the pump be on a timer? Thanks.

Hey Dog,

The pump's actuated by a float swiitch which in turn is energized by liquid entering the holding tank. A faulty check valve would give you the symptoms that you have. The pump has no timer so water tripping the float switch is what's causing the pump to cycle. Good luck, Tom

I put in a new check valve and the ejector pump continues to cycle hourly even when there is no washer use or rain. Any ideas? Thanks.

Sounds like a faulty pump or pump actuator.

Did you try taking the pump out and hosing it off really well?

It may be that the ball that rises with the water level is stuck in the on position.

Also, if the pump is misaligned in the pit, the switch can be hanging up on something.

These sound like reasonable solutions however, how do you account for the fact that whenever the pump goes off water is pumped out?

About the only explanation is that you have a crack or opening in one of the lines allowing water to enter the sump. Tell us what you've tested so far. Regards, Tom

Is the check valve installed vertically?

Yes, the checkvalve is installed vertically.