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Ajax Plumbing Company Ajax PlumbingCompany · Durham Region
Pumps, gauges and valves on a blue pipe manifold
Pumps, gauges and valves on a blue pipe manifold

Manual

Sump Pump Maintenance Before Spring Thaw

A sump pump sits quietly in the basement for months, then has to work hard every spring. A simple check before the thaw is the best way to make sure it is ready.

  • Check the float. Make sure it moves freely and does not catch on the pit wall or the discharge pipe.
  • Listen. Grinding, rattling or a pump that hums but does not move water are warning signs.
  • Waiting for a storm. The worst time to find a dead pump is when water is already rising.
  • Running the discharge into the sanitary drain. In most places this is not allowed, and it can overload the sewer.
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  • Ajax · Pickering · WhitbyDurham Region

At a glance

Topic
Manual
Reading time
About 3 min

Why it matters

Many homes in Ajax and the rest of Durham Region have a sump pit in the basement. Groundwater gathered by the perforated foundation drain trickles in, and the pump sends it out of the house before it can rise. Most of the year that is a light load. Then the snow melts, the ground is still frozen below, and spring rain arrives. A pump that has sat idle since fall suddenly needs to run every few minutes, sometimes for days.

If it fails at that moment, the basement floods. Checking it in late winter gives you time to fix problems before they matter.

The routine, in order

  1. Power first. A pump on a tripped GFCI or a dead receptacle protects nothing, so give it an outlet of its own and test that outlet. Avoid extension cords.
  2. Peer in with a flashlight. Lift the lid off the crock. Clear out gravel, silt or debris that could jam the float or clog the intake.
  3. Test the pump. Tip a pail of water in slowly. Watch the float lift, the motor kick in, the level drop and the motor stop.
  4. Check the float. Make sure it moves freely and does not catch on the pit wall or the discharge pipe.
  5. Inspect the discharge. Follow the pipe to where it leaves the house. The outside end should be clear of ice, snow and leaves, and water should flow away from the foundation.
  6. Listen. Grinding, rattling or a pump that hums but does not move water are warning signs.
  7. Exercise the standby unit. If you have a battery backup, unplug the main pump and check that the backup starts. Look at the battery's age and condition.

Local tip Do this in late February or early March, before the main thaw. A second check in the fall, before heavy rains, is a good habit too.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting for a storm. The worst time to find a dead pump is when water is already rising.
  • Ignoring the check valve. Should a gush run back down the discharge pipe once the motor quits, the check valve is failing and the pump works harder than it should.
  • Running the discharge into the sanitary drain. In most places this is not allowed, and it can overload the sewer.
  • Forgetting the battery. Backup batteries lose capacity over a few years and need replacing.

How long does a pump last?

It depends on how hard it works. A pump in a dry pit might last ten years or more; one that runs often in spring could need replacing sooner. If yours is getting on in years and works hard every spring, consider replacing it on your terms.

Where a plumber takes over

Call us if the pump does not start during your test, runs without stopping, cycles very often or makes unusual noises. We provide sump pump repair, new pump installation and battery backup systems. Phone (365) 363-2754. For more ways to keep water out, see basement flood prevention.

Questions we hear on the phone

How regularly does the pump need a trial run?

Two checks yearly at minimum: in late winter before the thaw and in the fall before heavy rains.

What does a battery backup do?

It runs a second pump from a battery when the power goes out or the main pump fails, keeping water moving during storms.

Why does my pump run when it has not rained?

Groundwater can keep flowing into the pit for days after a thaw or rain. If it runs constantly in dry weather, the check valve or float may be the problem.

Call now(365) 363-2754