A sump pump that runs nonstop usually has a stuck float switch, a failed check valve letting water flow back into the pit, a frozen or clogged discharge line, or more water reaching the pit than the pump can handle. If it runs a lot in dry weather, the water may be groundwater from a high water table, or a plumbing leak such as a broken water line soaking the soil around the foundation.
Central Indiana basements rely on sump pumps, especially in spring and after long wet spells when the clay-rich soil stays saturated. A pump that runs a lot during heavy rain is doing its job. A pump that runs constantly in dry weather, or never shuts off, is telling you something is wrong: with the pump, the pit, or a source of water that shouldn’t be there. Here’s how to sort it out.
Quick checks: is it the pump?
| Check | What to look for | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Float switch | Float stuck up against the pit wall, the pump, or debris | Free it; reposition the pump; clean the pit |
| Check valve | Water rushing back into the pit right after the pump stops | Replace the check valve |
| Discharge line | Frozen, clogged or crushed pipe; water not coming out outside | Clear or thaw it; protect the outlet |
| Pump size / pit size | Small pit refilling in seconds, pump that can’t keep up | Larger pit liner or a properly sized pump |
| Pump condition | Humming, running with little water moving | Worn impeller or motor; replace the pump |
A pump that never stops can overheat and burn out. If yours won’t shut off and the pit is empty, unplug it while you check the float, and plug it back in once it’s fixed.
Where is the water coming from?
If the pump itself is fine, the question is why the pit keeps filling.
| When it runs | Likely source |
|---|---|
| During and after rain or snowmelt | Surface water or groundwater: normal, within limits |
| Days or weeks after rain has stopped | High water table, poor grading or downspouts dumping near the foundation |
| Dry weather, steady clear inflow | A leaking pressurized water line near the foundation |
| When sprinklers run, or shortly after | An irrigation leak |
| Only when the washer or a sink drains | Drain water routed or leaking into the pit (check with a plumber) |
Test for a plumbing leak
- Meter test: turn off every faucet, appliance and the irrigation system, then watch the meter’s leak indicator for 15–30 minutes. If it moves, a line is leaking.
- Close the main shutoff in the house. If the meter still moves, the leak is in the buried service line between the meter and the house, often right where it comes through the foundation near the pit.
- Close the irrigation valve separately to rule sprinklers in or out.
- Watch the pit with the water off. If the inflow slows over a few hours after you shut off the main at the meter (if allowed), that points to your water line rather than groundwater.
Homes on a private well won’t have a meter; watch the pump and pressure gauge instead. See well pump keeps running.
Why a service line leak ends up in the sump pit
The water service line is buried below the frost line and usually enters the house through the foundation wall or floor. When it leaks, water follows the pipe trench, which is loose, easy-draining backfill, straight toward the foundation. Around the house, it reaches the drain tile and ends up in the sump pit. The pump runs, the water bill climbs, and nothing looks wet outside.
Reduce outside water
If the water is groundwater or runoff:
- Extend downspouts well away from the foundation
- Regrade soil so it slopes away from the house
- Clear gutters and window wells
- Make sure the discharge empties far enough from the house that it doesn’t flow back
Find the leak before digging
If the meter moves, the leak needs to be found before anyone digs near the foundation. With underground water leak detection, we trace the service line, listen along it with acoustic equipment, and use tracer gas on plastic pipe, then mark the spot. If there’s water inside the basement too, see water in the basement or crawl space.
Get it checked
We find the leaks that keep sump pumps running across Bargersville and Johnson County, including Greenwood, Franklin and Center Grove. If your pump is running in dry weather and your meter moves with everything off, call us.
Still can’t find it?
Our underground water leak detection pinpoints the leak without tearing things up, so the repair starts in the right spot.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my sump pump running when it hasn't rained?
Common reasons are a high water table after a wet period, a stuck float, a failed check valve cycling the same water, or a leak. A broken water service line, irrigation line or pool line near the foundation can feed a steady stream into the pit.
Is it normal for a sump pump to run all the time?
After heavy rain or snowmelt, a pump may run often for days. Running nonstop in dry weather, or never shutting off at all, is not normal and will wear the pump out.
How can I tell if a water leak is filling my sump pit?
Do a meter test with all water off. If the meter moves and the pump keeps cycling, a pressurized line may be leaking near the foundation. Clear, steady inflow into the pit in dry weather is another clue.
Can a failed check valve make a sump pump run constantly?
Yes. Without a working check valve, the water in the discharge pipe falls back into the pit each time the pump stops, so the pump keeps re-pumping the same water.