How Does a Sump Pump Alarm Work?

Heavy rainstorms and rising groundwater can pose a real threat to homes, sometimes leading to water seeping into basements or lower ground floors.

As a homeowner, you may have heard of devices like sump pumps that help keep your basement or cellar dry by pumping away excess water.

But what happens if the sump pump struggles or stops working when you need it most?

This is where a sump pump alarm comes in.

It’s a simple device that acts as an early-warning system for potential flooding.

In this article, we explain what sump pumps and sump pump alarms are, how they work, and why they are important.

We’ll also cover what to do if your sump pump alarm goes off, common reasons these alarms might sound, and the benefits of having one.

What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a special pump designed to remove water that collects in a sump pit (a small pit or basin usually in the lowest part of a basement or cellar).

In homes that have basements or areas prone to flooding, a sump pump is the first line of defence against flooding.

The word ‘sump’ basically means a collection pit for liquids, in this case, it collects groundwater or rainwater that finds its way under your house.

Here’s a simple way to picture it: when water seeps under your home (say after heavy rain), it drains into the sump pit.

The sump pump, which sits in or above this pit, has a sensor or float switch that detects rising water.

When the water level reaches a certain point, the pump kicks on and pumps the water out through a pipe, sending it away from your house and often into a drain or a safe area in your garden.

This prevents the water from building up and causing basement flooding.

Once the water level drops, the pump turns off again automatically.

Sump pumps might come in different designs (for example, some sit submerged in the water, others stand above it), but they all serve the same purpose – keeping water at bay.

What is a Sump Pump Alarm and Why is it Used?

A sump pump alarm is a device that alerts you when there’s a problem with the water level in your sump pit.

Think of it as a smoke alarm for water.

Its main purpose is to loudly warn you if the water in the sump pit gets too high, usually indicating the sump pump isn’t keeping up.

Why might the water get too high?

There are a few common scenarios.

The sump pump might have stopped working (due to a power failure or a mechanical fault), so water isn’t being pumped out.

Or an unusually heavy downpour could be bringing in water faster than the pump can handle.

In all these cases, the water level in the pit will climb above the normal safe level.

This is where the sump pump alarm proves its worth.

The alarm unit is typically battery-powered and has a sensor (or float) that monitors the water level.

When water reaches a set high level, the alarm springs into action, emitting a loud, high-pitched siren (similar in volume to a smoke alarm).

Even if it’s the middle of the night, this piercing sound will alert you before a minor issue turns into a major flood.

Homeowners use sump pump alarms as an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.

While the sump pump works automatically to remove water, the alarm is there to ensure you’re never caught off guard by a pump failure or an unexpected surge of water.

It essentially buys you time to react, so you can fix the issue or call for help before your basement actually floods.

How does a Sump Pump Alarm Work?

So, how does a sump pump alarm actually work?

It’s fairly straightforward.

The alarm system has a sensor that keeps an eye on the water level in the sump pit.

When the water gets too high, the sensor triggers the alarm.

There are two common types of sensors used:

Float Sensor

A small float attached to a switch is placed slightly above the pump’s normal activation level.

If water rises and lifts this float to its trigger point, it will trip the alarm (much like the pump’s own float switch, but set higher).

Water Sensor

This type uses an electronic sensor (for example, two metal prongs) placed at the high-water mark.

If rising water touches the sensor, it completes a circuit and sets off the alarm.

In either case, as soon as the sensor is triggered, the alarm blares a very loud siren (similar to a smoke alarm) to make sure you notice it, even if you’re asleep.

Battery Powered

Most sump pump alarms have their own battery, so they continue working even if your home’s power goes out.

This is critical, because if a storm causes a power cut and your electric pump stops, the alarm can still warn you that water is rising.

What to do if Your Sump Pump Goes Off

Hearing your sump pump alarm go off can be stressful, but it’s important to act quickly and calmly.

Here are the basic steps to take when the alarm sounds:

Go and Check Immediately

Head down to your basement or wherever the sump pump is as soon as you hear the alarm.

Take a torch if it’s dark and be cautious around any standing water (especially near electrical sockets).

Check if water is still confined to the sump pit or if it’s starting to spill onto the floor.

See If the Pump Is Running

Check whether the sump pump is actively working.

If the pump is running while the alarm is sounding, it means the pump is struggling to keep up or water is entering too quickly.

The pit’s water level is high despite the pump’s efforts, so you may need to assist or prepare for possible overflow.

If the pump is not running and the water is high, it suggests the pump has stopped when it should be working.

Check the Power Supply

If the pump isn’t running, first determine if it’s a power issue.

Check for a power cut in your area – if the whole house has lost power, the pump won’t work until power is restored (unless you have a sump pump backup power source).

If power is on, ensure the pump is plugged in, then check your fuse box for a tripped breaker for the pump.

If it tripped, reset it once. If it trips again immediately, leave it off – the pump likely has a fault.

Deal With the Water and Fix What You Can

If the pump still isn’t running or can’t keep up with the water, try to reduce the water level manually.

If you have any backup pump or a generator, use it to power a pump.

Otherwise, use buckets to bail water from the pit and dump it outside to slow the rising water.

Also, check if the pump’s float is stuck or tangled as freeing it might allow the pump to start working.

Call for Professional Help if Necessary

If you’ve tried the above and the situation isn’t improving (the pump won’t run, or water keeps rising regardless), it’s time to call a professional plumber or drainage specialist, such as us here at KD Pumps.

It’s better to get expert help than to risk a serious flood.

Professionals have the tools to fix or replace faulty pumps and can help remove water if needed.

Common Causes of Sump Pump Alarms Activating

Some of the most common causes of the sump pump alarm going off are:

Power Failure

If the power goes out (or the pump’s circuit trips), the sump pump stops and water quickly rises.

The alarm will sound because the pump isn’t running.

Pump Malfunction

The sump pump might break down or wear out.

If it fails to pump water when it should, the water level will rise to a dangerous point and set off the alarm.

Overwhelmed Pump

An exceptionally heavy rainfall or rapid influx of water can be more than the pump can handle.

Water might be flowing in faster than it can be pumped out, so the pit level keeps rising until the alarm triggers.

Blocked Discharge or Inlet

If the pipe that carries water away is clogged (for example, with debris) or the pump’s intake is blocked, the pump can’t expel water.

The water will then back up in the pit and raise the float until the alarm goes off.

Stuck Float Switch

If the pump’s float switch gets stuck or fails, the pump won’t turn on when water rises.

In that case, water will simply keep rising until the alarm’s separate float or sensor activates.

False Alarm

Sometimes the alarm might sound even if the water isn’t dangerously high – for example, due to a sensor glitch, a bit of water splashing on the sensor, or a low alarm battery.

It’s rare but always check to be sure.

Sump Pump Alarm Benefits

Some of the main benefits to having a sump pump alarm are:

Early Warning to Prevent Flooding

The primary benefit of a sump pump alarm is that it gives you an early warning of rising water before a flood actually happens.

By alerting you when the water level is just getting too high, you can take action before your basement actually floods.

This drastically reduces water damage, potentially saving your furniture, carpets, and other belongings from ruin.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that an alarm will alert you to any sump pump failure or high water situation lets you sleep easier, especially during heavy rain.

You don’t have to constantly check the basement.

Works During Power Outages

Because most alarms are battery-powered (and many sump pumps have battery backup themselves), they continue to work even if a storm knocks out your electricity.

Even when the pump stops during a blackout, the alarm can still alert you that water is rising.

That gives you a chance to use backup power (if you have it) or take other measures until mains power returns.

Low-Cost Protection

Sump pump alarms are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of cleaning up even a minor flood.

A small investment in an alarm could save you thousands of pounds in water damage and repairs.

It’s a bit like insurance – you hope you never need it, but it’s invaluable when something goes wrong.

Conclusion

You should now have more of an understanding of how a sump pump alarm works.

A sump pump may be the hero that keeps your basement dry, but even heroes need backup.

A sump pump alarm is that trusty sidekick that keeps watch and sounds the alert when something is amiss.

It works quietly in the background until it needs to warn you that water is rising too high.

We’ve learned that this alarm is simple but crucial: it detects high water and gives you a chance to act before a minor leak becomes a major flood.

For homeowners accustomed to the occasional heavy rain or storm, having a sump pump with an alarm can bring great peace of mind.

It’s an affordable safeguard for your property and possessions.

For more information, get in contact with us here at KD Pumps.