I have a basement with a sump pump and a battery backup (Basement Watchdog). Recently, my basement was partially flooded when both pumps failed to pump water out. I have no clue why. After discarding some water using a bucket, I forced both pumps to run by holding the float switch up on both of them. Nothing happened for a while and after some time, the pumps miraculously began to work.
Now both pumps are working, although I see that the battery backup is activated on some days, which tells me that the original float activated Zoeller pump did not kick in on that day. On other days, the original pump works. Looks like I have an intermittent problem with this pump.
Since I do not know how old the current pump is (it is at least 4 years old, since that is how long I have been in the house) I am planning to replace it with a diaphragm switch pump.
My questions.
1. What could have possibly caused the original flooding. It can't be the pumps, since both of them were working and are still working. The check valve on both is relatively new too.
2. What is a good reputable reliable diaphragm switch pump that I could use to replace the old one?
3. I believe the original pump is a 1/3 hp pump. Is it ok (although unnecessary) to replace it with a .5 or .6 hp pump? Does it cause any pump burn out/damage or any other issues if its cycle is too short or if it does not run often enough?
4. The discharge pipe is I believe 1.5 inches diameter. Is that good enough for a .6 hp pump?
Thanks for any help.
-- Manny
Now both pumps are working, although I see that the battery backup is activated on some days, which tells me that the original float activated Zoeller pump did not kick in on that day. On other days, the original pump works. Looks like I have an intermittent problem with this pump.
Since I do not know how old the current pump is (it is at least 4 years old, since that is how long I have been in the house) I am planning to replace it with a diaphragm switch pump.
My questions.
1. What could have possibly caused the original flooding. It can't be the pumps, since both of them were working and are still working. The check valve on both is relatively new too.
2. What is a good reputable reliable diaphragm switch pump that I could use to replace the old one?
3. I believe the original pump is a 1/3 hp pump. Is it ok (although unnecessary) to replace it with a .5 or .6 hp pump? Does it cause any pump burn out/damage or any other issues if its cycle is too short or if it does not run often enough?
4. The discharge pipe is I believe 1.5 inches diameter. Is that good enough for a .6 hp pump?
Thanks for any help.
-- Manny