Why Is My Basement Watchdog Beeping? [Your Sump Pump Backup Troubleshooting Guide]

Your Basement Watchdog backup sump pump’s alarm may beep at some point. Now you’re wondering why it’s making that racket. Also, how can you fix the issue that triggered the alarm? We researched for you and here’s what we found.

Backup sump pumps, particularly those from the Basement Watchdog brand, will beep because they’re encountering issues. These problems can range from faulty switches to discharge pipe clogs. In turn, silencing the alarm means solving these concerns.

Basement Watchdog sump pump owners should understand the potential faults of their properties’ water-discharging systems to troubleshoot and repair these systems properly. Keep reading as we talk about the various possible reasons why a backup sump pump's alarm activates. We'll also discuss some ways to troubleshoot and repair some issues encountered by these machines.

Why Does My Backup Sump Pump Keep Beeping?

A backup sump pump, particularly one from Basement Watchdog, can beep for different reasons. Some of the causes that cause the system’s alarm to go off include:

Faulty Switch

A stuck or malfunctioning switch is generally one of the most common causes of backup sump pump beeping. Lack of maintenance can cause the machine to accumulate debris, causing its float to become stuck. In turn, the pump’s switch becomes inoperable until you administer the proper repairs.

Water Influx

Heavy rainfall can cause a sump pump to become overworked. With the excessive amount of water, the machine’s mechanisms may attempt to work harder than normal, causing certain parts to break or become damaged and triggering the device’s alarm.

Power Outage

A Basement Watchdog backup sump pump may beep incessantly because it’s not receiving sufficient power. One reason could be a blackout or power outage in your area. But if the rest of the area has electricity, it’s advisable to check the electrical switch connected to the sump pump to identify damage.

Discharge Pipe Blockage

Unclean discharge pipes will result in clogs, inhibiting the backup sump pump to work as intended and activating the beeping noise. Aside from gunk buildup, these pipes may also accumulate blockages because of frost or dead pests.

Low Battery Fluid

A typical 100 amp-hour sump pump backup battery will last about 51 hours. Some models, including those from Basement Watchdog, won’t have clear low battery indicators. If so, these machines will start and continue to beep until you add additional battery fluid.

Improper Installation

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines in installing the Basement Watchdog backup pump system. But human errors may occur, resulting in the machine malfunctioning. Homeowners should also check the size of their sump pits to reduce mishaps during the initial setup.

How Do I Stop My Basement Watchdog From Beeping?

The steps to stopping a Basement Watchdog backup sump pump alarm typically depend on the main problem. In this section, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot and repair your backup water-pumping system, and stop the alarm’s racket.

Restore Battery Power

In case of low battery from the Basement Watchdog unit’s battery, you can add distilled water to each cell. Take note that this solution is temporary; the battery requires the correct product to run efficiently.

Here’s how to refill the backup sump pump’s battery:

1. Disconnect the backup battery from the unit and place it in a box.
2. Remove the plastic covering and lift the perforated tab.
3. Pull the dispensing hose and hold it upright to force the leftover battery acid back in the cell.
4. Pour the distilled water or battery fluid into the hole until the liquid covers the battery plates slightly.

Take note that you should wear protective gear during this process. Equip yourself with safety equipment like glasses, gloves, and long-sleeved clothes as handling battery fluid might be harmful if it comes into contact with your skin.

Check out this battery filler on Amazon.

Fluid Sensor Installation

Improper fluid sensor installation can cause the Basement Watchdog pump to malfunction and trigger its alarm. If this part is the main cause of the machine making a racket, here are the steps to fix it:

1. Push the tabs of the Basement Watchdog backup battery box and lift it for clean lid removal.
2. Fan the opening with a non-metallic object (e.g., cardboard sheet) to help remove excess hydrogen and oxygen gasses released from the battery.
3. Insert the fluid sensor into the hole of the yellow cap. Search for the indicating arrow pointing to the correct port if you have difficulty locating this area.

Take note that you can’t use other aftermarket fluid sensors with Basement Watchdog systems. It might be possible to use third-party sensors with a Basement Watchdog backup sump pump but consult with the manufacturer first.

Backup sump pumps with faulty or improperly installed fluid sensors might cause basement flooding. Running a dehumidifier might assist in removing the excess moisture from the immediate space. Read our post on the recommended amount of time to run a dehumidifier to dry a basement for more details.

Stuck Switch

Aside from the fluid sensor, improper placement of the sump pump switch may cause the system to malfunction. The alarm will turn on and beep continuously until you install this part correctly.

Install the backup sump pump’s switch properly by following this procedure:

1. Connect the backup sump pump’s switch above the main pump.
2. Remove any debris or excess material that may prevent the switch from functioning as intended.
3. Attach the switch’s wire to the correct backup sump pump’s terminal and test its operation.

Replace the Battery

A backup sump pump’s battery may corrode, triggering the system’s beeping. Another reason for the racket is that the power cell is old. Both reasons require a battery replacement, which you can accomplish by following these steps:

1. Remove the wingnuts from the damaged or old battery pack, disconnect the wires, and take out the fluid sensor.
2. Connect the black wire to the negative post of the new battery.
3. Attach the red wire to the positive terminal on the new battery.
4. Install the fluid sensor by inserting it through the yellow cap’s designated hole.
5. Plug the backup sump pump into an appropriate electrical outlet to check if the beeping persists.

You can also watch the video below to see the installation steps for the Basement Watchdog backup sump pump. This clip also includes the setup for the system’s battery.

Check out this replacement Basement Watchdog sump pump battery on Amazon.

Clogged Discharge Pipe

Dirt, debris, and other dirty particles can become lodged into the sump pump’s discharge pipe over time. The system’s alarm will go off if the sump pump can’t operate at optimal efficiency because of a blockage. If so, cleaning the discharge pipe may solve this problem.

Clean the drainpipe by following these steps:

1. Disconnect the backup sump pump from the main unit and remove its battery.
2. Take out the discharge pipe from the pit by following the product’s instructions.
3. Wash the pipe with a hose to remove the thick yet loose layer of dirt and gunk.
4. Use a scraping tool to remove leftover muck.
5. Rub a warm cloth or sponge with a mild detergent on the discharge pipe.
6. Rinse the pipe again to remove leftover particles.
7. Reinstall the discharge pipe and reconnect the backup sump pump to resume its operations.

Take note that a clogged sump pump might be a possible reason for the basement sink to back up. If so, read our guide on that matter to help you come up with the correct solution.

Silence the Alarm

Power outages may cause a sump pump’s alarm to beep ceaselessly. The water-pumping unit may not have serious problems in this scenario. But you can silence the alarm for 24 hours by pressing the yellow button on the front panel for 5 seconds.

Final Words

Basement Watchdog backup sump pumps can trigger their alarms if they detect anomalies within their frameworks. Finding the source of the problems is the first step to troubleshooting the faulty units. Then, applying the correct procedures may solve these concerns and silence the racket.