Sump Pump gurgles when radon system turned on

[Bill B]

The sump pump gurgles only when the newly installed radon system is turned on. The sump pump has a sealed lid. The gurgling (bubbling) sound is definitely coming from the sump not the tubes extending from it. The pump does have a check valve. In normal operation it empties water from the sump well and shuts off with no problem. While idle (no water to remove) when we turn the radon system on you can distinctly hear the water in the bottom of the sump gurgling/bubbling. What is happening? How to fix? Is the check valve slightly leaking air back into the water in the pump well? Is there possible a hole in the pump well pan into the surrounding gravel which allows the radon fan to pull small bubbles through the pump well pan?

 

[Reach4]

I think your sump pump is pumping ground water up and out. I only say this to make sure you are not talking about a pit handling basement sewage.

I would remove the lid and watch for bubbles. If they come from the base of the sump pump, I would try setting the control switch to cause the pump to shut off when there is about an inch more water in the sump than currently.

If your sump pump turns on periodical, you could try unplugging the pump to let the water rise a bit, as a test. See if that makes the gurgle go away. If the higher level of water in the sump stops the gurgling, then go ahead and adjust the float switch.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Bill B]

I think your sump pump is pumping ground water up and out. I only say this to make sure you are not talking about a pit handling basement sewage.

I would remove the lid and watch for bubbles. If they come from the base of the sump pump, I would try setting the control switch to cause the pump to shut off when there is about an inch more water in the sump than currently.

If your sump pump turns on periodical, you could try unplugging the pump to let the water rise a bit, as a test. See if that makes the gurgle go away. If the higher level of water in the sump stops the gurgling, then go ahead and adjust the float switch.

Thanks for your reply. If I remove the lid there is no bubbling. The sump pump is not running, but when I turn on the radon fan the water in the sump well bubbles. The sump only handles water.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

The radon system pulls air out from beneath the subfloor. This will pull air from the drain tile and sump pit along with it.