If you live in Lackawaxen, PA, or the surrounding Poconos area, your home likely relies on a septic system. Some of these systems use gravity to move waste. Others require a little extra help from a pump.
You might have a grinder pump or an effluent pump. These components are the heart of your waste management system. Normally, they turn on, do their job, and turn off. If you notice your pump is running constantly, you have a problem that needs immediate attention.
At Triple J Services, we specialize in diagnosing and fixing pump issues before they turn into backyard disasters. A pump that never stops is a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.
Understanding Your Septic Pump
Not every septic system has a pump. If your leach field is higher than your septic tank, or if you have a basement bathroom, you probably have one.
An effluent pump moves treated liquid to a drain field or a “Turkey Mound.” A grinder pump works more like a powerful garbage disposal, shredding solids before pumping them to a pressurized sewer main or tank. Both types are designed for “intermittent” use. They should only run when the water level reaches a certain height.
The Most Common Cause: A Stuck Float Switch
The float switch is the most frequent culprit for a non-stop pump. Think of it like the ball in your toilet tank. When the water rises, the float lifts. This triggers the pump to start. As the water drops, the float should fall and cut the power.
Several things can go wrong with a float switch:
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Tangling: The float can get caught on the pump itself or the discharge pipe.
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Debris: Grease, wipes, or feminine products can coat the float, making it too heavy to move correctly.
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Mechanical Failure: Over time, the internal switch simply wears out and stays in the “on” position.
Check for a Plumbing Leak in the House
Sometimes the pump is running constantly because the water is entering the tank constantly. You might not have a septic problem; you might have a plumbing problem.
A running toilet or a leaky faucet can send hundreds of gallons of water into your septic tank every day. If your house is leaking water into the tank at the same rate the pump moves it out, the pump will never get a chance to shut off.
Before assuming the pump is broken, check every toilet and faucet in your home. Even a small “hiss” in the bathroom can lead to a burnt-out septic motor.
Issues with the Check Valve
The check valve is a one-way gate. It allows waste to move out of the tank but prevents it from flowing back in.
If the check valve fails or gets stuck open, the liquid you just pumped out will drain right back into the basin as soon as the pump stops. This causes the water level to rise again instantly. The pump turns back on, and the cycle repeats forever. This “short-cycling” is incredibly hard on the motor.
Blocked or Damaged Discharge Lines
If the pipe leading away from your pump is blocked, the pump will struggle to move any liquid. It will spin and spin, but the water level will never drop enough to trigger the float switch to turn off.
Blockages often happen due to:
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Tree Roots: Roots can break into pipes and create a thick “net” that stops flow.
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Grease Buildup: Over time, kitchen grease solidifies and narrows the pipe.
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Pipe Collapse: Older pipes can collapse under the weight of the soil, especially if there has been heavy equipment driving over the area.
In these cases, we often use High-Pressure Drain Jetting (Hydro-Jetting) to clear the lines and restore flow.
The Danger of a Constant Run
You might be tempted to ignore a humming pump if there is no backup in the house. This is a mistake.
Septic pumps are water-cooled. They are designed to sit in liquid while they work. However, they are not meant to run 24/7. Continuous operation leads to overheating. When a pump overheats, the internal seals can fail. Once water enters the motor housing, the pump is ruined.
Replacing a Grinder Pump or an Effluent Pump is significantly more expensive than a simple float adjustment or a check valve repair.
When to Call Triple J Services
If you hear your pump running for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time, it is time to call in the professionals. Here is how we handle these issues for our Lackawaxen neighbors.
Professional Septic System Inspections
We don’t just guess what’s wrong. We perform a thorough Septic System Inspection. We pull the pump, check the floats, and test the electrical components. We look at the big picture to see why the system is failing.
High-Pressure Jetting
If a blockage in the line is causing your pump to run, we use hydro-jetting to clear it. This uses pressurized water to scour the inside of your pipes. It is much more effective than traditional snaking and is safe for your septic lines.
Excavation and Utility Trenching
If your discharge line has collapsed or been crushed by roots, we provide Excavation and Utility Trenching. We can dig out the old, damaged section and replace it with high-quality, modern piping.
Emergency Septic Pumping
If your pump has already failed and your tank is overflowing, we offer Emergency Septic Pumping. We can empty the tank to give you time to breathe while we perform the necessary repairs or replacements.
The “Turkey Mound” Connection
Many homes in Pennsylvania use a raised mound, often called a “Turkey Mound.” These systems rely heavily on effluent pumps to push water up into the sand filter.
If your mound is saturated or the pipes inside the mound are clogged, the pump will run constantly because it can’t push the water through the soil. We specialize in Leach Field (“Turkey Mound”) Repair and Installation. We can evaluate if your mound needs service or if the pump simply needs a higher “head pressure” rating to do its job.
Preventing Pump Issues
The best way to deal with a running pump is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
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Watch What You Flush: Never flush wipes, feminine products, or paper towels. These are the primary causes of tangled float switches.
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Keep Grease Out: Don’t pour cooking oil or grease down the drain. It coats everything in the septic tank, including the pump sensors.
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Divert Surface Water: Use French Drains and Drainage Solutions to keep rainwater away from your septic tank. If your tank’s lid isn’t sealed, heavy rain can flood the basin, forcing the pump to work overtime.
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Annual Checkups: Have your pump tested once a year. A quick check of the float and the amp draw of the motor can catch a failing part before it leaves you with a mess.
Why Choose a Local Expert?
Triple J Services is located right here in Lackawaxen, PA. We know the local soil, the local weather, and the specific types of systems used in our community. You can learn more about our team and our history on our About Us page.
We own our own excavation equipment and pump trucks. This means we don’t have to wait for subcontractors. When you have a pump emergency, we can handle every step of the process from the initial pump-out to the final trenching.
External Resources for Homeowners
To learn more about how septic pumps and systems work, check out these helpful guides:
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The EPA’s Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems covers the basics of pump maintenance.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provides information on state regulations for on-lot sewage systems.
Summary Recap – Septic Pump
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A septic pump should only run in short bursts when the water level rises.
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Stuck or tangled float switches are the most common cause of a constantly running pump.
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Leaky toilets or faucets in the house can overwhelm your septic system.
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A failed check valve allows waste to flow back into the tank, causing the pump to cycle repeatedly.
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Running a pump constantly will eventually burn out the motor, leading to expensive replacements.
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Triple J Services provides inspections, jetting, and excavation to fix pump issues at the source.
Stop the Hum and Save Your Septic
A constantly running pump is a ticking time bomb for your wallet. If you hear that steady hum coming from your yard, don’t wait for the alarm to go off. Triple J Services is ready to provide fast, reliable repair and maintenance for your grinder or effluent pump.
Contact Triple J Services in Lackawaxen today to schedule a pump inspection. We’ll get your system back to running quietly and efficiently.
