Question/s RE: Sump Pumps.

JustAnotherSaver

I'll update the damp wall thread later as i want to keep the whole dampness thing to the one thread, so this is purely for removal & refitting of a sump pump.

I imagine refitting is the opposite of removal with no extras. Question is, how do you remove it?

I have bad knees (or rather one bad knee) so struggle to crouch long enough down there under the floorboards of the living room.

I imagine you don't want it still connected to the mains when you're removing? So how'd you go about disconnecting that?

I got my brother down there to follow the wiring & there's a shedload of wiring under there going all over the place. Living room to hall back to living room, to the back of the living room. There doesn't seem to be any sort of switch as such. All the wiring goes to/through those plastic circular things that often has 3 wires passing through it. I should've really got a photo of that so you know what i'm on about. Hopefully round plastic electrical thing is enough info :rotfl:

Sump pump as so:





Someone from a tool hire store said they would take a look at it & clean it out for us if we remove it.

Stooby2

Sounds like it's hardwired in place and if you aren't sure about it, it would be worth getting someone in to disconnect it. It also sounds like it wasn't wired in properly in the first place - it should really have gone through a fused spur, so if you get an electrician in, he can install it properly for you.

JustAnotherSaver

Stooby2 wrote: »

Sounds like it's hardwired in place and if you aren't sure about it, it would be worth getting someone in to disconnect it. It also sounds like it wasn't wired in properly in the first place - it should really have gone through a fused spur, so if you get an electrician in, he can install it properly for you.

One of the wires my brother traced ran into the wall. I asked where it seemed to go & he just said up, as in above the floorboards.

This wire in question, the positioning of it would be right where the nearest mains socket is. The wire would run right into the back of it.

I don't know how these things are done so i'm totally speculating, but i wonder if the wiring is in to the back of that mains socket (is that even possible?) so that it's always 'plugged in'.

fused spur

Pardon me?



How are these things supposed to be properly wired in then?



I'm wondering...

If there's a way to kill power to the entire house, could i then just disconnect it, take the pump to this chap so he can clean it out, i can then reconnect it & then 'switch on' the power to the house again??

Or is that a no no?

I do wonder if this problem (collecting crud) will keep repeating, as it was quite sludgy down there. Then again i guess it will be since we have no idea how long the water level was like that for.

Stooby2

From your total lack of knowledge I would strongly recommend you get an electrician in to do it properly. You're working with water and electricity - a dangerous combination!

JustAnotherSaver

Very good point.

Question is, do you just search a bog standard electrician? Hit the yellow pages, go to electrician & pick one?

Or is this sort of thing a more specific area?

In addition, would you expect we'd have to start ripping up floorboards?

Stooby2

An electrican certified for Part P Regulations, and most should be. It might be worth asking friends & family for recommendations.

As for the floorboards, let the electrician have a look at the pump and wiring first.

pogg000

https://lh5.ggpht.com/4RtqiLJZwjI2mM4Z7P5Mr5t2GHadgl2CNnBMDBg5uv3Xw6dilFustYki1zrYevKv9ipe=s85
one of these?

JustAnotherSaver

pogg000 wrote: »

https://lh5.ggpht.com/4RtqiLJZwjI2mM4Z7P5Mr5t2GHadgl2CNnBMDBg5uv3Xw6dilFustYki1zrYevKv9ipe=s85
one of these?

That looks like the rascal

Mr_Ted

1st question is why do you think you need to remove it ?

Sump pumps are pretty robust and will usually take a bit of sludge or small debris!
If its possibly not working, and from the picture, the float switch (red box on a wire in the photo) 1/ Wont work in the position it is in the photo as there isnt enough water to make the switch as they only make when in a vertical position, or 2/ the float switch may just not be making the connection properly, which can usually be fixed by just giving it a bit of a shake in position!

If the impeller is clogged, again try just giving it a shake about in the water to loosen any muck, or if you can take the hose off, back flush the pump in situ?

Its very seldom a sump pump needs to be stripped, unless you need to replace it because of the motor being burnt out, in which case you will need to remove it in total, and its cheaper to replace with a new one anyway!

IF the wiring is too tight then it hasnt been installed very well, as for ease of removal, or repair, a good loop of cable should always be left in the pump location, especially if its hard wired to another position

JustAnotherSaver

Oh there''s plenty of looped wiring alright.

I don't know if it needs removing. I just had an offer from someone to clean it out. It actually works though.

I'm not too sure of what triggers it tbh. I gave it a slight tap underneath the float tonight & it kicked in. It was only a little touch. Maybe it's been set to be ok at 4.5inch but nothing higher?

I can't help but think that the float just drifting about isn't the best of things??!

mttylad

If its working, then why go to all the extent of removing it?

Cleaning it out - that can be done down there - pull it up, spray it clean with a hose pipe or brush & water.

There is not much to clean really.

Then put it back in again and re prime it.