Question/s RE: Sump Pumps.

JustAnotherSaver

mttylad wrote: »

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.

I did wonder about getting a hose pipe down there

But then i thought - what's the point? It's sat in a bowl of crap so it'll just collect again.

Not sure what you mean by re-priming.

Mr_Ted

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

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??!

You've answered you own questions really if it aint broke why touch it

It triggered by the Float Switch which has contacts and a free moving ball bearing, or in some instances a mercury switch inside which when it reaches a certain point over horizontal the ball bearing or mercury move onto the contacts to make the electrical contact and circuit complete to switch the pump on, and the reverse to switch the pump off when the contact is released.
Thats also why it is free floating, it needs to be able to move as the water rises and falls to operate the internals of the switch

Mr_Ted

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I did wonder about getting a hose pipe down there
But then i thought - what's the point? It's sat in a bowl of crap so it'll just collect again.
Not sure what you mean by re-priming.

Flushing it with a hose will free any internal build up of crap and also emulsify it more so that it can be pumped out more easily

Re-priming is sometimes necessary to kick start the pumping, it just a matter of the pump internally being full of water so that the impeller doesn't operate dry, but with the pump in a sump thats deep enough to cover the pump with water, as is yours, it is seldom necessary;)

tower

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I did wonder about getting a hose pipe down there

But then i thought - what's the point? It's sat in a bowl of crap so it'll just collect again.

Not sure what you mean by re-priming.

Hi, could you not hire/borrow a wet vac, drain by vacing out, clean pump, wash with clean water and vac out again.

JustAnotherSaver

I'd imagine this job is beyond any wet vac i've ever seen.

I thought today - about just getting a hose in there & filling it (the floor) to see what level of water kicks the pump in without me physically interfering with the float with a stick. It may be that the level could get to the floorboards & not kick in. Who knows, as so far it's only been me tapping it that's done it.

2 questions though, 1 i already know the answer to:

1) Who'd you get to sort out the wiring proper, so that it goes to a switch above floor level? An electrician i know, but i yellow paged "electrician" in the area & there's loads. Is this a typical part of an electricians job or are they generally more on the lines of wiring lights & sockets in above floor level?! In other words, can i pick any old electrician & expect the job done or is this more specific?
Are they likely/able to hack away at plaster if needs be & fit the switch or is that unnecessary?

2) Who would you get in to fit a new pump? Is this roll of plumber, electrician?

That's part of our problem - for some jobs, not knowing which tradesman to turn to.

Stooby2

Most electricians / trades people will quote for free. Get a few out and ask them if they can do what you want and give you quotes for it. I can't see why any qualified electrician couldn't do a proper switched & fused connection.

As for removing the pump, just ask them, it's usually a simple connection to the outlet pipe.

JustAnotherSaver

So it's the electrician route we should go is it?

I only ask because it seems to be wired up wrong, which is electrician, but then if we're having a new one installed, then it's all to do with pumping water out, which is plumber.

I'd be surprised if we need to get an electrician to do the wiring & then get a plumber in to refit??

mttylad

Are you unable to do this yourself?

Get down there, follow the wire to its end.
Turn off the power that powers it (or the whole house) at the consumer unit.
Disconnect the pump.
reconnect the power.
Remove the pump from water, disconnect the outlet pipe (screwdriver needed here).
Connect outlet pipe to new pump.
fit new pump in water (keeping mains lead out of it).
take new pump cable to mains point.
turn off power
connect pump wiring.
turn on power and test the pump. (lift the red bit in the pics)

If you cannot to the electrical side yourself then yes you need someone competent to do so, so an electrician.

The rest is a bit of your time and getting dirty.

If not your going to pay a lot to change this pump that you say is already working - so WHY CHANGE IT?

JustAnotherSaver

Nope, i can't do it myself.

For one i don't know how to do it properly
For two - i physically can't. I tried getting down there, but after operations on my knee it's just too much stress on my knee in the limited space down there.

My brother got down there & followed the wire, but it just leads to a sea of wires & can't see where it goes. One wire feeds into the wall which we think is into the back of a mains socket. Another thread has said we should get it wired in properly - electrician.

DevCoder

A cable tracer costs about £40, it sends a signal down the cable you put the clamp around and then you use a tracer "pen" to locate the cable in question.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/cable-tracker-with-tone-generator-n74cc

Yes the pump should be connected by a fused connection (FCU). So if you don't know how to do this safely then get an electrician.