Why it matters here
Across Durham, spring brings a burst of water. Snow that piled up all winter melts within days, the ground is still partly frozen, and April rain adds to the load. Groundwater rises, drainage tile around the foundation fills, and the sump pit collects it. A pump that fails at that moment can flood a basement within hours.
Many Oshawa homes from the 1980s onward have sump pits, and newer subdivisions almost always include them. Pumps last years, but the float switch, check valve and discharge pipe can each fail sooner, and nobody notices until water arrives.
Step by step
- Confirm the power supply. Confirm the pump has power from a live outlet, preferably a dedicated one. If it is on a GFCI outlet, push the test and reset buttons.
- Look into the pit. Remove the lid and clear out any debris, gravel or silt that collects near the pump inlet.
- Fill the pit. Add water slowly from a pail until the float lifts.
- Observe the cycle. The pump should outset, empty the pit quickly and close off cleanly. Grinding or rattling means wear.
- Look at the check valve. Once the pump shuts off, the outlet line should not drain back into the pit.
- Walk outside. Locate where the discharge pipe ends. It should carry water well out of town from the foundation and must not be frozen or buried in snow.
- Test the backup. With a battery backup in place, disconnect the main pump and confirm the backup starts. Check the battery's age.
Many municipalities, including Oshawa, do not allow sump discharge into the sanitary sewer. The water should go to the yard or a storm connection where permitted.
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not run the pump on an extension cord tucked behind a finished wall.
- Do not let the discharge empty right beside the house, where the water flows straight back into the drainage tile.
- Do not ignore a pump that runs continuously in dry weather. It may be stuck on, or the check valve may have failed.
- Do not wait for a storm to discover the backup battery is dead.
When to call a plumber
If the pump hums but does not empty the pit, cycles too often, or will not start at all, call us. A clogged inlet or failing float can sometimes be fixed; an old pump may need replacing. Slow-draining basement floor drains near the sump may also need drain cleaning.
A spring visit is also a good time to look at the rest of the mechanical room. Owners thinking about saving space or energy often ask about tankless water heaters. If water does get in, our guide to the first hour of a basement flood explains what to do first.