Sewage pump keeps tripping — what it means and what to do
If your sewage pump keeps tripping or cutting out, this guide explains the causes, risks and when urgent pump engineer attendance is required.
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Engineering guidance
Pump fault guides and maintenance resources
Use these guides to understand common pump symptoms, prepare useful fault information and recognise when urgent engineering attendance is required. They do not replace safe isolation or site-specific diagnosis.
Guidance reviewed by the Alton Pumps engineering team.
Sewage pump not working — causes, risks and what to do next
If your sewage pump has stopped working completely, this guide explains the common causes, risks of inaction, and when urgent pump engineer support is required.
Read guide →Sewage pump alarm going off — what it means and what to do now
If your sewage pump alarm is going off, this guide explains what it means, the risks involved, and the immediate actions you should take to prevent flooding or system failure.
Read guide →Sewage pump running continuously — is it dangerous?
If your sewage pump is running continuously, this guide explains what it means, the risks involved, and when urgent pump engineer intervention is required.
Read guide →Sewage pump smells — causes and how to fix them
If your sewage pump system smells, this guide explains the common causes of odours, what they mean, and how pump engineers fix them safely.
Read guide →Sewage pump blocked — causes and professional solutions
If your sewage pump is blocked, this guide explains the common causes, warning signs, risks, and how pump engineers safely clear blockages.
Read guide →How sewage pump systems work — a simple engineer explanation
A clear, engineer-led explanation of how sewage pump systems work, including components, operation, common failures and maintenance basics.
Read guide →Sewage pump fault codes — what they mean & what to do
A practical engineer guide to common sewage pump fault codes, what they indicate, and when professional diagnosis is required.
Read guide →How pump engineers diagnose sewage pump faults
An engineer-led explanation of how sewage pump faults are professionally diagnosed, from electrical testing to mechanical inspection.
Read guide →Sewage pump maintenance schedules — how often should servicing happen?
A professional guide to sewage pump maintenance schedules, servicing frequency, compliance risks and why planned maintenance prevents costly failures.
Read guide →What happens if a sewage pump fails ?
A professional breakdown of what happens when a sewage pump fails, including flooding risks, legal liability, clean-up costs and business disruption.
Read guide →Information to record before calling
Where it is safe to do so, record the pump make and model, panel lights, fault code, alarm condition, chamber level and recent operating symptoms. Photographs of the data plate and control panel can help the engineer prepare for the attendance.
A guide cannot confirm the cause of a live fault
Send the pump data plate, panel indications, alarm state, photographs and a description of the operating symptoms for technical support.
Contact Alton Pumps →Pump guides: common questions
My pump has stopped working. What should I check first?
Check whether the power or the control panel has tripped, and look for an alarm light. Do not keep resetting it. If it trips again or the water level is rising, call us.
Pump not working guide →Why does my pump keep tripping?
Common causes include a blockage, a worn or failing motor, water getting into the cable or motor, or a control fault. An engineer can test the pump and panel to find the cause.
Pump tripping guide →Why is my pump running all the time?
A stuck float, a failed non-return valve, a blockage or a pump that is too small for the flow can all make a pump run continuously.
Pump running continuously →How often should pumps be maintained?
Most domestic pumps need a service at least once a year. Busier commercial systems usually need more frequent visits.
Maintenance frequency guide →