Since you purchased your sump pump, you probably are enjoying the dividends. Come rain or sunshine, this little machine is a savior.
Sump pumps are handy in a basement drainage system. You don’t have to worry when it rains as no flooding will get through the basement – it’s safe.
But, maybe your sump pump recently began giving you sleepless nights because of the offensive noise it produces. The continued clanging and vibrations will squeeze every single drop of uneasiness outside of you.
When such problems begin, it’s vital that you find out the source. With that information, you can definitely figure how best to deal with the noise.
A noisy sump pump is a disaster in waiting. Speaking of which this guide details the different methods on how to quiet a sump pump.
Let’s walk together through this. But first, I need to help us understand the reasons for a loud sump pump.
What Causes a Loud Sump Pump?
Before thinking of any interventions towards a loud sump pump, do your homework explicitly. You’re going to need to know what’s behind the noise.
This knowledge helps you come up with the right solutions for the machine. Otherwise, you won’t help any better by just undertaking a method.
A loud sump pump can be triggered by one or all of the following issues:
1. Improper Installation Of The Sump Pump
If the connection of a sump pump is botched, there’s every chance that it’ll produce the noise. For example, a pipe in direct contact with a wall can be the cause for serious banging and rattles.
2. Older Sump Pump
Sump pumps which are too old are the biggest suspects. Most of their parts are either loose or worn out.
3. The Sump Pump System Is Running Continuously
The other reason for unnecessary noise is a continuously running sump pump. And a system with this particular problem could be experiencing a system malfunction, a higher water table or a poorly-installed unit.
Here are Things to Do to Quiet a Sump Pump.
1. Cover the Pump Basin
If you are using the old model pumps, you are advised to cover them with foam insulation. This material is designed for the purpose of minimizing the noise damage caused by the motor.
The modern-day models, fortunately, come with a soundproof sump pump cover. In most cases, this is a plastic cover that helps to reduce noise.
Plywood can also be used to cover the pumps. Just ensure that the portion of the plywood fits seamlessly on the sump pump basin.
During the fitment process, the plywood can be fixed on the floor around the pump. Get some rubber lining and use them to hold the plywood on the floor.
Once the plywood is in place, the vibrations produced by the pump are absorbed through the wood. Hence, their impact is reduced.
2. Treat Different Types of Noises Individually
The sump pump might produce all these different kinds of noise. Whether it is banging, clanking, slurping or jangling, these noises will always be varied.
The reason for this occurrence is the variety of components in a pump. So that some noises are coming from the motor, the hose or pipe and some are caused by water.
The prudent practice is to address these noises as individual issues. Rather than taking the “collective” measure to quiet the pump – it’ll mean nothing.
Once you have identified that the discharge pipe is the culprit for banging, for instance, quick intervention in the form of insulating it with a suitable foam may be enough. But, definitely, not the solution for the clanking and slurping noises.
3. Locate the Check Valve on Your Discharge Line
When you hear the sump pump making a loud noise like gurgling or slurping, it’s high time to check the standard swing valves and replace them if they are having operational issues.
The check valves should be unbroken and fitted correctly. Otherwise, problems will arise.
The valve fails to work normally because there’s a whole junk of debris buried in it. This makes it become noisy automatically.
This noise means that there’s poor control of water flow for discharge in pipes. So the water keeps flowing back down the pipe instead of having a steady, more controlled flow.
If the valve on the discharge pipe is faulty, you could replace with a spring-loaded valve which can do a better job in controlling the flow of water down the drainpipe.
And if the spring-loaded valve is old, you’ve got to upgrade the same with a modern valve.
You can as well clean the valve to get rid of the dirt crammed inside of it. This will help open up the channels for water to flow just smoothly.
The valve should also be well tightened. Which means that during installation, proper fitting is needed.
Make sure that the installation of the valve is done with precision. This means that it should even point away from the pump – not towards it.
4. Check the Pipe and Sump Pump Cover
Initially, I recommended insulating the discharge pipe with some foam insulation. When doing this, you want to make sure that this insulation covers the joint at the bottom of the floor where the discharge pipe meets – this is another simple way on how to quite a sump pump.
As you know, if the pipe gets in direct contact with the floor, vibrations will be a common phenomenon. So, in such circumstances, ensure that the flooring is covered with sound-deadening materials.
Now, one of the areas that produce noise includes the sump pump cover or lid. But, dealing with this scenario is fast and easy.
As long as you line the underside of the pump sump lid with rubber grommets, this problem will be a long due. You are using rubber grommets because they are great at absorbing shocks, sound waves, and vibrations.
In case the discharge pipe is having many angles, you can be guaranteed of frequent vibrations and banging noises. The best thing to do is to remove them and install new straight ones.
Straight discharge pipes allow water to pass through quietly and freely. Ensure that you get a certified plumber to determine the best pipes for rerouting your sump pump piping system.
5. Consider Adjusting the Pump Switch
Sump pump noise reduction may also be enhanced by adjusting the pump switch. The goal of making this step is to ensure that the pump switch stop running before the water in the basin is drained completely.
You don’t want all the water to dry up. And yet, the switch is still running.
Because what happens is that, with no more water in the basin, the drainage pump creates a siphon. So that it sucks in air and the little water remaining in the basin.
The result is a series of some gurgling noises. This can be disturbing but there is a quick solution.
Simply ensure that there’s always a couple of inches of water in the pump. This prevents air intake.
6. Upgrade Your Sump Pump
This comes as the last step after other options have constantly failed you. It is necessary that you throw away the old version of the sump pump if it’s creating a mess all times.
When making this decision, you will want to get a newer model that’s an upgrade to your current one. There are many near-silent sump pump units on the market.
The quiet sump pumps are usually unique in design and function. From the type of materials used to construct them to their well-thought-out silent motors.
Overall, when shopping for the best deal, be patient to check for popular brands. Consider the performance of the unit you want to buy.
Also, find time to learn from other customers who might have used the machine before. Make use of their reviews, for example.
A good quiet unit will come with many positive reviews and 4-5-star ratings. Generally, these reviews provide you with a good general clue regarding the authenticity of the sump pump model you are buying.
Here is a modern quiet sump pump that comes with all good things you would wish for. It’s affordable, made of cast iron, and also drains away water very fast.
Check Current Price On AmazonIt can remove up to 4,600 gallons of water in just an hour’s time. Yet, it’s a small, compact design that’s portable and therefore easy to transfer from place to another.
Final Words
Now that you’ve been struggling to keep up with the noise of your little sump pump, why don’t you try out some of the above practices? Basically, these tips on how to quiet a sump pump are based around maintaining your unit.
Checking your sump pump regularly can help you discover the problem with your unit early enough.
In every single step, you just need to be careful. If you doubt your craftsmanship, call a professional plumber to help you around even if it means spending some extra cash for the labor.
I think with these approaches; you should be good to go.
