Homeowner notes
Testing and Maintaining a Sump Pump Year-Round
A sump pump sits idle for weeks, then has to work perfectly in the middle of the night during a storm. A few minutes of maintenance makes that more likely.
- Plain steps a homeowner can follow
- Where the DIY part ends and a plumber takes over
- Ontario and GTA details where they matter
- Plumbing facts, no sales pitch
Call nowor dial (365) 387-8531
Diagnosis first, tested after
- Licensed & insured: ask us
- Camera before cutting
- Water-tested repairs
- Booked by phone
Every few months
- Dump roughly twenty litres into the pit; the pump should kick in, drain it and stop cleanly.
- Any grinding or rattle while it runs is worth noting.
- Check the float moves freely and is not touching the pit wall or cord.
- Step outdoors and make sure the outlet pipe is unblocked and throwing water well clear of the walls.
Once a year
- Unplug, lift out the pump and clean the intake screen
- Remove silt and gravel from the pit bottom
- Check the check valve for leaks or a loud clunk
- Test the battery backup by unplugging the primary
- Inspect the cord and outlet; use a GFCI where required
Spring thaw is the exam. Fall is the time to study.
Winter
Discharge lines that freeze back up into the pit. Make sure the line slopes to drain and consider a freeze-relief fitting where it exits the wall.
When to replace
If the pump is noisy, runs constantly, has failed once, or is near ten years old in a busy pit, plan a replacement. See sump pump repair or call (365) 387-8531.
Stop and call a plumber if
- Sewage smell in the basement after rain
- A past flood and no backwater valve on the main drain
- Water at the floor drain or around the furnace after a heavy storm
Common questions
Should my sump pump have its own outlet?
A dedicated circuit is often recommended so another appliance cannot trip it.