Condensate pump not shutting off.

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Douglas Leach

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Dec 31, 2018
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Ok my condensate pump, well what I think it is, won't shut off. Stuck float? Maybe, it will turn off with a tap. My real concern is why it's turning on. Only the AC and dehumidifier are Hooked to it and it's winter. Now it turns on when you use the shower or run water, why? I feel that I can replace the pump but there is another problem here. Help please.
 
This is the pump that turns on with running water especially the shower. The black line is from dehumidifier and the clear line in the back is from furnace. And the PVC pipe leads to drainage pipe.
 

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can you show us pics of what your talking about????
1not sure why its sticking maybe a switch maybe dirty????may be vac it out soak it in vinegar for a bit
2have someone run the water if you see water draining back thru your pipe from the main drain
3 that pvc should be a little higher that your main drain so it can go by gravity
there should be a check check valve there also so it doesn't drain back and short cycle
 
I'll take it down and try cleaning it. I will also install a check valve. Is it normal for this pump to come on during normal running water operation?
 
1not sure why its sticking maybe a switch maybe dirty????may be vac it out soak it in vinegar for a bit
2have someone run the water if you see water draining back thru your pipe from the main drain
3 that pvc should be a little higher that your main drain so it can go by gravity
there should be a check check valve there also so it doesn't drain back and short cycle
tough to see but your condensate and humidifier should be draining in one place and your main drain pumping out in another
 
Nope. The previous home owner just tied the dehumidifier and furnace drain into a Y pipe into main drain. I bought a mess of a house. I won't get started lol.
 
I'll take it down and try cleaning it. I will also install a check valve. Is it normal for this pump to come on during normal running water operation?
if only those two things are draining into it then no.....you may have a partial stoppage and the water is backing up and draining back enough to turn your pump on you should run the water and physically see if water is coming out of that pipe
 
if only those two things are draining into it then no.....you may have a partial stoppage and the water is backing up and draining back enough to turn your pump on you should run the water and physically see if water is coming out of that pipe

So remove pump and run water?
 
Ok my condensate pump, well what I think it is, won't shut off. Stuck float? Maybe, it will turn off with a tap. My real concern is why it's turning on. Only the AC and dehumidifier are Hooked to it and it's winter. Now it turns on when you use the shower or run water, why? I feel that I can replace the pump but there is another problem here. Help please.
this really should be draining into a properly vented and trapped fixture....
 
this really should be draining into a properly vented and trapped fixture....
Yea I'm having work done this summer under the house so I'll add this to that list. I ran some emergency septic flush stuff and it hasn't come back on yet. Scheduling a septic appointment asap. Thank you for all your help.
 

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