Homeowner guidePrevention
Sump Pump Maintenance Before Storm Season
Your sump pump might sit idle for weeks and then need to run nonstop during a storm. A few checks each spring and fall make sure it is ready.
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- Short steps a homeowner can follow safely
- What to check before you pick up the phone
- Clear signs it is time to call a plumber
- Markham and York Region notes where they matter
- Licensing details confirmed when you call
- Residential
- Commercial
- Markham & York Region
The short version
- Unplug the pump and remove the lid.
- Clear debris, gravel and silt from the pit.
- Lift the float by hand; it should rise smoothly without snagging the liner or a cord.
- Plug the pump back in.
- Fill the pit gradually from a pail until the motor kicks in.
- Watch it pump the water out and shut off.
- Listen for grinding or rattling.
- Go outside and check that water exits the discharge pipe away from the house.
Check the extras
- Check valve: should stop water flowing back after the pump shuts off.
- Battery backup: test the alarm and backup pump; check battery date.
- Discharge line: clear, sloped and not frozen in winter.
- GFCI outlet: make sure it has not tripped.
Signs it needs work
- Runs constantly or cycles every minute.
- Does not start when water rises.
- Makes loud noises.
- Has passed roughly its eighth birthday.
From the van: In Markham, spring melt and summer thunderstorms are the busiest times for pumps. Check before both.
Winter care
Discharge lines can freeze where they exit the house. Make sure they slope away so water drains out. A small gap or air opening near the house can let water escape if the outer line freezes.
When to call
If your pump fails the test, the float is damaged, or the pit fills faster than it pumps, call us. We can repair or replace it before the next big storm.