I have 2 sump pumps and 2 pits. One is only for outside ground water, the other is for the washing machine,a/c condensation and whole house humidifier. The last few days the latter (not the pump for outside water) is going off about once an hour. I turned the whole house humidifier off a couple of weeks ago, so there's no water draining into the pit. I know this is not normal since this pump only works when the washer, a/c or humidifier are in use. Any ideas what's wrong? (it works fine otherwise)

Best way to find out is to open up the pit and look whether there is water coming in. It doesn't necessarily have to be water from your plumbing fixtures. You may have ground water entering the pit as well. Back to you. Milo

Is this a sump pump or a ejector pump? Where do you dump your washer water? If it is an ejector pump, the check valve could be leaking, allowing water to run back slowly.

Not sure, but I think it's a sump pump. The washer water dumps in the sewer system maybe? (I know the other pump dumps it back in my yard) It was set up this way when we bought the house. I did look into the pit and I did not see an increase in the water level when it ran. I'll check to see what kind of pump it is.

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Originally Posted by donnamarie64

not sure, but I think it's a sump pump. The washer water dumps in the sewer system maybe? (I know the other pump dumps it back in my yard) It was set up this way when we bought the house. I did look into the pit and I did not see an increase in the water level when it ran. I'll check to see what kind of pump it is.

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If one is dumping into the sanitary sewer, it is most likely an ejector pump or at least it should be. You need some type of check valve in that system or the sewer gasses will come back into the house. The other one sounds like a ground discharge sump pump, common for water intrusion disposal.

It does have a check valve and after further inspection the water level IS rising and the frequency is now every 18 to 20 minutes. May be a bigger issue?

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Originally Posted by donnamarie64

It does have a check valve and after further inspection the water level IS rising and the frequency is now every 18 to 20 minutes. May be a bigger issue?

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Still not sure if it is a sump or ejector pump. How many pipes from the pit? Is there a cover on the one in question.

2 pipes and it is covered.

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Originally Posted by ma0641

Still not sure if it is a sump or ejector pump. How many pipes from the pit? Is there a cover on the one in question.

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Trying to attach a pic that looks similar to mine

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Originally Posted by donnamarie64

trying to attach a pic that looks similar to mine

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The pump closest to the sink in the pic looks like mine

That is an ejector pit. The pipe draining from the sink is a dedicated vent, the other is the pump output. Only way that should be filling is a poorly designed connection to the main drain with a leaking check valve (black sleeved device), or a crack in the pit box that is allowing foundation water to drain into it. All openings should be totally sealed or you will get a lot of bad smells! The other pit is a standard sump pump, does not need a vent.

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Originally Posted by ma0641

That is an ejector pit. The pipe draining from the sink is a dedicated vent, the other is the pump output. Only way that should be filling is a poorly designed connection to the main drain with a leaking check valve (black sleeved device), or a crack in the pit box that is allowing foundation water to drain into it. All openings should be totally sealed or you will get a lot of bad smells!! The other pit is a standard sump pump, does not need a vent.

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it is for sure ground water we have been having heavy rains all day and its been going off every 15 minutes. I'm hoping that it's a crack in the pit and not something more serious thanks for the help

If you hve been experiencing heavy rains, it sounds like the sump pump is simply doing what it was intended to do.

My understanding was the issue was with the ejector pump not the sump pump. Donnamarie-if the pit with the 1 pipe is the one in question, it is working correctly. My reference was to the ejector(2 pipes) running every 15 minutes.

Sorry mao641. After re-reading all the discussion again, I assume but still not positive that donna has determined which pump is running frequently.

It IS the ejector pump (with 2 pipes) collecting ground water. My other pump with just the one pipe is working OK. (had an issue with it last night, float may have gotten stuck, managed to get that working)