Are you experiencing issues with older or failing condensate pumps? It’s a good idea to be familiar with steps that can be taken should any problems arise.
When a condensate pump is working correctly, you may forget it’s even there. It will be efficiently pumping moisture from your condensate recovery system. However, once it stops working the way it is supposed to, it can cause many problems. If the water overflows, it leads to big messes and can damage the surrounding areas. A faulty condensate pump will often cause a back-up of excess water.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to do some condensate pump troubleshooting on your own:
1. Make sure your condensate pump is turned on
The first thing you should do to troubleshoot a condensate pump is to make sure it has power. This is a simple step, but it is one that many people forget, only to realize that no power is the culprit after spending a lot of time investigating other reasons. The pump may have been turned off by accident or, perhaps the circuit breaker needs to be reset.
2. Check the float switch
The float switch is threaded into the condensate receiver tank. The electrical components of the switch are located on the outside of the tank and the float and float rod are located inside the tank. When water gathers and rises, so does the float. Once the float gets to a certain height, it hits the float switch. And when this connection is made, it tells the pump that it is time to turn on and pump the water out.
If there is a buildup of debris on the float, it might be interfering with its connection to the float switch. Organic growth on it can weigh it down. Sometimes, the float can develop a pin hole and fill with water, impacting the performance of the float. The float must be in good shape — if the float is damaged, it likely will not work correctly.
3. Gently tap the microswitch
The float is attached to a microswitch. If water is not being pumped out, it could be because the microswitch is not working correctly. There may be a simple fix to this — just give the microswitch a little tap. But don’t hit the switch too hard!
4. Check the discharge pipe for blockages
It is never a bad idea to check the discharge pipe for blockages regularly. To inspect it, disconnect the pump from the outgoing pipe and inspect for any debris or build-up that can be preventing water flow. Blockages can add extra strain to the pump, shortening the life of the pump.
5. Give your condensate pump a thorough cleaning
A good practice when troubleshooting problems for your pump is to give it a good cleaning. As with any device that deals with water, sediment, debris, minerals, and algae, they can all cause problems. Cleaning it and giving a thorough rinse can clear these culprits out, and your condensate pump will be back to pumping water in no time.
To clean, remove the whole pump from the condensate receiver tank. Remove the pump casing. Scrub the inner casing and impeller carefully with clean water, removing any debris build-up. Also, inspect the inside of the receiver tank for any sludge build-up that can be impairing pump performance. Clean and remove as needed.
6. Replace your pump
If your condensate pump is still not working correctly after taking these steps, it may be time for a replacement. When replacing, make sure you go with a trusted brand that has a reputation for quality parts.
The team at Rema Dri-Vac are experts in condensate pumps, and we can help you find the right kind of pump for you! We are a 3rd generation company that is family-owned, and we pride ourselves on forming relationships with all our customers to know how to meet their specific needs. If it’s time to replace your condensate pump, please contact us today!