What's That Sump Pump Doing in Your Toronto Basement?

Maybe your idea of a sump pump is a dirty, smelly pit and the only time you really see it is when it fails and your basement or crawl space is full of water. Many times sump pumps are installed by do-it-yourself homeowners or contractors who are not full-time waterproofers. Either scenario can leave you with a pump that isn’t as good as it could be. It is in your best interest to have your sump pump installed by a reputable Toronto plumbing contractor.

Sump pumps are made so that when water reaches a certain level, a lever is tripped which turns the pump on. It takes the water and moves it out of the basement or crawl space via a discharge line. This line goes outside your Toronto home and brings the water away from the house.

A common issue with sump pumps is that the water they carry comes from within the ground, meaning it contains dirt that can clog pipes and pumps over years of use. The worst part is, this could happen any time of the day, and odds are you won’t be in your basement or crawl space to hear or see it. That means the pump would stop working and water would back up into your Toronto home, potentially causing water damage.

This scenario can be avoided with two tools. Some sump pumps on the market have a secondary pump in the same basin — if the first pump does not turn on for any reason, the second one will kick on and start pumping water. Also, during periods of heavy rainfall, having a secondary pump gets water out of the basement at a faster rate.

Installing a sump pump alarm is another great idea because it alerts you when the water has risen past the point where the pump should have turned on. Most people don’t spend much time in their unfinished basement or crawl space, so you wouldn’t know you had water coming in from a failing sump pump until the next time you happened to enter that space.

A sump pump alarm sounds off to let you know your basement or crawl space system needs to be checked. This is invaluable for staying aware of what’s going on in your basement and avoiding major water damage. An added benefit is that a sump pump alarm takes the stress off your shoulders — no more going into your basement at all hours of the day or night to check if the pump is working. The alarm will let you know if there’s an issue.

Sump Pumps Are Machines

Cars are mechanical devices we use constantly — they’re a collection of parts that work together to get us from point A to point B. The parts are made up of levers, screws, washers, and other components that work hard. These parts rely on lubricating oil and grease which eventually wear down. Most car owners bring their cars in for routine oil changes and maintenance, which replaces the screws, grease, and other parts that get tired and wear down over time.

Like a car, a pump is also a mechanical device made up of switches, propellers, and pumps which can wear down with time and use. The logical decision is to get the pump serviced each year, much like you might do with your car. Even though responsible waterproofing companies use high-quality pumps with special housings to keep lubricant from breaking down and special designs to prevent clogging, this yearly maintenance helps ensure your sump pump works at full capacity when you need it most. And since you won’t know exactly when that will happen, your best defense is a good offense. Simply put, yearly maintenance of your sump pump and waterproofing system can help avoid headaches down the road.

What Can They Do?

When your sump pump maintenance is performed, responsible Toronto waterproofing technicians will check that valves work properly, look for potential problems, and flood-test the pump and interior drain system. This helps clear any residual silt or sediment from the system that may have washed in during heavy rain, and detects any potential problems. Having maintenance performed regularly ensures your sump pump and waterproofing system work for you when you need it most.

Priority Plumbing & Drains has a service department that can help you ensure your system maintenance is routinely scheduled each year. A good technician should answer any questions and concerns you may have while performing the maintenance at your home.