The plastic float triggers the pump to turn on or off, according to the water level in the sump pit. Much like the plastic float in a toilet tank, the sump pump float must move freely in order to ...

If there’s no external situation causing your pump to short cycle, you’ll need to examine the system itself. Like a toilet, sump pumps are designed with a “float” that triggers the pump cycle.

A failed float caused a basement backup as flood-fueled ... that's when people figure out when their sump pump failed. Typically, it's just due to age," he said. WHAS11 met him at a home where ...