Plumbing tips
Sump Pump Maintenance Checklist
A sump pump only matters for a few hours a year, and those are exactly the hours you cannot afford it to fail. A simple routine keeps it ready.
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- Checks you can do yourself, in order
- What to leave alone and why
- Written for Toronto houses and condos
- Call us if it is already leaking
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Why it matters in Toronto homes
Many Toronto homes, especially those with lowered basements or high water tables near ravines and old creek beds, rely on a sump pump to remove groundwater from foundation drains. Spring melt and summer thunderstorms are when they work hardest.
Step-by-step what to do
- Test it: pour roughly 20 litres into the pit and confirm the float lifts, the pump runs the pit down and then shuts off.
- Clean the pit: remove debris, gravel and silt.
- Check the discharge: confirm the outdoor line is open and carries water out across the yard, never into the sanitary sewer.
- Check the check valve so pumped water cannot drain back down.
- Consider a backup: battery or water-powered backup pumps run during power outages.
Listen to it. A pump that runs constantly or cycles every few seconds needs a look.
Mistakes to avoid
- Plugging the pump into an extension cord.
- Letting the discharge freeze in winter.
- Connecting the discharge to the sanitary sewer.
When it is time to phone us
Bring us in when the pump will not kick on, never shuts off, or has been in the pit for a decade or so. See sump pumps and dishwasher installation.
Common questions
How often should I check the pump?
Several times a year, and always before the spring thaw.
What is the lifespan of a sump pump?
Something like seven to ten years is common; a pump that runs a lot wears out sooner.
Water where it shouldn’t be? Call now.
A plumber answers day and night, and the call-out rate is quoted before anyone drives over.