Why Your Sump Pump Keeps Running and How to Fix It
Your sump pump keeps running because it's still getting water, the float switch is stuck, or the check valve failed. Here's how Fort Myers homeowners fix it.
Your sump pump keeps running because water is still entering the pit faster than the pump can discharge it, the float switch is stuck in the "on" position, or the check valve has failed and water is draining right back into the basin. In Fort Myers, the most common culprit is a high water table after a heavy rain - the pump is doing its job, but the ground is saturated and the inflow never stops. This article walks through the five causes we see on service calls every week, how to test each one yourself, and when it's time to call in a pro.
Why does my sump pump keep running in Fort Myers FL?
A sump pump that runs constantly in Fort Myers is almost always reacting to one of two things: too much water coming in, or water that can't get out. The city sits on a shallow water table - often just 3 to 6 feet below grade in low-lying neighborhoods - and during the June through September wet season, that table rises fast. A pump rated for 2,500 gallons per hour can handle normal inflow, but when the ground is saturated, it may cycle every 2 to 4 minutes for hours. That's not a failure; that's the pump working as designed. The failure starts when it runs dry, overheats, and burns out the motor.
If your pump runs continuously even when it hasn't rained in days, the problem is mechanical - a stuck float, a failed check valve, or a clogged discharge line. We separate those two scenarios on every call because the fix is completely different.
The five most common causes (and how to check each one)
Here are the five causes we find most often when a Fort Myers homeowner tells us their pump won't stop running. Check them in this order - it takes about 15 minutes and you won't need any special tools.
1. Stuck or misadjusted float switch
The float switch is the most common point of failure on any sump pump. It's a small plastic float on a rod or a tethered bulb that rises with the water level and triggers the pump. Debris, hard water scale, or a spider web can jam it in the up position, which tells the pump there's always water to move. To test it, lift the float by hand - the pump should kick on. Lower it - the pump should shut off within a few seconds. If it doesn't, the switch is stuck or the contacts are welded closed. A sump pump float switch repair fort myers FL usually runs $150 to $300 in 2026, including the replacement switch and a test cycle.
2. Failed check valve
The check valve sits on the discharge pipe just above the pump. It's a one-way flap that stops water from flowing back into the pit after the pump shuts off. When it fails, every gallon the pump pushes up the pipe drains right back down, so the pump restarts immediately. You'll hear the pump short-cycle - on for 5 seconds, off for 10, on again - even when the pit looks empty. A new check valve is a $20 part, but the labor to cut and re-solder the pipe adds up. Most Fort Myers homeowners pay $200 to $400 for the full repair.
3. Clogged discharge line or frozen pipe
Fort Myers doesn't freeze often, but we do see discharge lines clogged with mud, grass clippings, or a bird's nest at the exterior outlet. If the line is blocked, the pump runs but moves no water - it just churns in the pit until the motor overheats. Walk the discharge line from the pump to where it exits the house. If you see standing water or a kink in the pipe, that's your problem. Clearing a clog typically costs $150 to $350, and we always flush the line to confirm flow before we leave.
4. High water table or poor drainage
This is the Fort Myers-specific cause. During the wet season, the water table can rise above the level of your basement floor or crawl space, and the pump is simply outmatched. If your pump runs constantly only after heavy rain, and stops within a day or two of dry weather, the issue isn't the pump - it's the drainage around your foundation. Grading, gutters, and a proper sump pump drainage solutions fort myers FL plan can reduce inflow by 40% or more, which takes the load off the pump.
5. Pump sized too small for the job
A 1/3-horsepower pump moves about 2,000 to 2,500 gallons per hour at a 10-foot lift. If your pit fills faster than that, the pump will run nonstop during storms and still lose ground. We see this a lot in older homes near the Sump Pump repair in Historic River District FL area, where original pits were sized for a smaller water table. Upgrading to a 1/2-horsepower pump or adding a second pump solves it. A sump pump replacement fort myers FL with a properly sized unit runs $600 to $1,200 installed.
How do I fix a sump pump that keeps running in Fort Myers Florida?
You fix a continuously running sump pump by restoring the off-switch - either by clearing the float, replacing the check valve, or unclogging the discharge line. Start by killing power at the breaker, then pull the pump out of the pit and inspect the float and intake screen. Nine times out of ten, you'll find debris wrapped around the float or a check valve that's stuck open. If the pump runs fine on a bench test but still won't shut off in the pit, the water level is the problem, not the pump.
Here's the step-by-step we use on service calls:
- Shut off power at the breaker and confirm with a non-contact voltage tester.
- Lift the float by hand. If the pump doesn't start, the switch is bad.
- Pull the pump and check the intake screen for gravel, silt, or plastic.
- Inspect the check valve - if water drains back into the pit after the pump stops, replace it.
- Run a garden hose through the discharge line from the exterior end to confirm it's clear.
- Reassemble, restore power, and watch at least two full cycles before you walk away.
If the pump still runs constantly after all six steps, the issue is inflow - and that's when you need a drainage assessment, not a new pump. Our team handles sump pump troubleshooting fort myers FL with a full diagnostic that includes a water-table check and a flow test on the discharge line.
When the problem is bigger than the pump
Sometimes the pump is fine and the house is the problem. If your pit fills faster than a 1/2-horsepower pump can empty it, no amount of repair will stop the cycling. We look at three things on every call: the incoming flow rate, the discharge line size, and the pit volume. A pit that's only 18 inches in diameter holds about 12 gallons - a pump moving 2,500 gallons per hour empties that in under 20 seconds, which means it cycles every time the water table rises an inch. Enlarging the pit to 24 inches gives you more buffer and cuts cycle frequency by half.
We also check the discharge point. If your line dumps water 3 feet from the foundation, it soaks right back into the same soil and returns to the pit. Extending the discharge to 10 or 15 feet downhill, or into a dry well, breaks that loop. In the older neighborhoods around Sump Pump repair in Downtown Fort Myers FL, where lots are tight and grading is flat, a sump pump discharge line repair fort myers FL that reroutes the outlet is often the single most effective fix.
Common mistakes Fort Myers homeowners make
We see the same four mistakes over and over when a homeowner tries to fix a running sump pump on their own. Each one either wastes money or shortens the life of the pump.
- Replacing the pump when the switch is bad. A $40 float switch fails ten times more often than a motor. Test the switch before you buy a new pump.
- Ignoring the check valve. If water drains back into the pit after the pump shuts off, the valve is bad. Replacing the pump won't fix it.
- Running the pump dry. A sump pump that runs with no water in the pit overheats in 2 to 3 minutes. The thermal overload may reset, but the motor life drops by half each time.
- Discharging into the same spot. If the water lands within 5 feet of the foundation, it returns to the pit and the pump never rests.
One more: don't skip the annual check. A sump pump maintenance fort myers FL visit costs $100 to $200 and catches a stuck float or a weakening check valve before it turns into a flooded floor.
When to call a professional
Call a professional when the pump runs constantly after you've cleared the float and confirmed the discharge line is open. At that point, the problem is either the check valve, the pump sizing, or the water table - and diagnosing those requires a flow test and a look at your drainage. We also recommend a pro if your pump is more than 7 to 10 years old, if it's tripping the breaker, or if you hear grinding or rattling from the motor. Those are signs the bearings are failing, and a pump that dies during a storm is worse than one that runs too long.
Sump Fix Masters handles Sump Pump repair fort myers FL with same-day service across Lee County. We test the float, the check valve, and the discharge line on every visit, and we tell you upfront whether you need a repair or a replacement before we start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my sump pump keep running in Fort Myers FL?
It keeps running because water is still entering the pit or draining back into it. In Fort Myers, the most common causes are a high water table during the wet season, a stuck float switch, or a failed check valve. If the pump runs only after rain, it's inflow. If it runs constantly in dry weather, it's mechanical.
How do I fix a sump pump that keeps running in Fort Myers Florida?
Shut off power, lift the float by hand to test the switch, pull the pump and clear the intake screen, then check the check valve for backflow. If the pump still runs after those steps, the water table is the issue and you need a drainage fix, not a new pump. Most repairs take 1 to 2 hours.
What causes a sump pump to run constantly in Fort Myers?
Four things cause constant running: a float switch stuck in the on position, a check valve that lets water drain back, a clogged discharge line, or a water table that's higher than the pump can handle. In Fort Myers, the water table is the leading cause from June through September.
Can I just unplug the pump to stop it from running?
No. Unplugging a sump pump during the wet season invites a flooded basement or crawl space. If the pump won't stop, fix the float or the check valve instead. If you can't fix it today, call us - we can usually get a technician out the same day.
How much does it cost to fix a sump pump that keeps running in Fort Myers?
Most repairs run $150 to $400 in 2026. A float switch replacement is $150 to $300, a check valve is $200 to $400, and a discharge line clearing is $150 to $350. A full pump replacement, if needed, is $600 to $1,200 installed.
Get help with Sump Pump repair in Fort Myers
If your sump pump won't stop running and you've already checked the float and the discharge line, call us. We'll diagnose the cause, fix it the same day, and test the pump through two full cycles before we leave.
Call Sump Fix Masters at +12392350546 for same-day sump pump repair in Fort Myers and across Lee County.