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Reel Two: The Pit

Signs Your Sump Pump Is Failing

The sump pump sits in a hole in the basement floor and works quietly for years. Then one stormy night it stops. Here is how to spot the warning signs first.

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The short version

A sump pump that runs constantly, never runs, makes grinding noises, or is more than about ten years aging is a candidate for repair or replacement. Test it every spring and before big storms. If the lower level is finished, add a backup.

An electric grinder on a workbench
An electric grinder on a workbench.

What you notice, what we usually find

SymptomLikely cause
Pump hums, no water movesJammed impeller or failed motor
Runs in dry weatherStuck float or leaking check valve
Water on the slab after a stormUndersized pump or blocked discharge

Step by step

  1. Look into the pit. Note the water level. It should sit below the inlet pipes, with the float hanging free.
  2. Check the pump. Pour a bucket of water gradually into the pit. The float should lift, the pump should start, and the water should drop quickly.
  3. Listen. A healthy pump hums. Rattling, grinding or screeching suggests a worn bearing or debris in the impeller.
  4. Watch it shut off. The pump should stop once the float drops. A pump that keeps running may have a stuck switch.
  5. Go outside. Find where the discharge pipe ends. Water should flow away from the house, and the end should be clear of ice, leaves or soil.
  6. Check the power. Make certain the pump is connected into a working outlet, not an extension cord, and that no breaker has tripped.

Signs of trouble

  • Runs on and off every few seconds, called short cycling.
  • Runs during dry weather.
  • Visible rust or a corroded discharge line.
  • Water staining or dampness around the pit.
  • A musty smell that was not there before.

Many Oakville homes built from the 1980s onward rely on a sump pump to manage foundation drainage. When it fails, the water table does the rest.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Testing only once, at install. Pumps wear out quietly.
  • Letting debris, gravel or a fallen object sit in the pit where it can jam the float.
  • Pointing the discharge onto a neighbour's property or into the sanitary sewer. Neither is acceptable.
  • Removing the check valve. It stops discharged water from falling back into the pit.
  • Ignoring the age. A pump that has never been replaced in a thirty-year-old house is living on borrowed time.

Understanding the parts

A sump system has more than a pump. The pit collects water from the foundation drains. The float switch tells the pump when to start. The discharge pipe carries water outside, and a check valve on it stops water falling back. An alarm, if fitted, sounds when the water rises too high. A failure in any part leads to the same result, so check them all during your spring test rather than looking at the pump alone. Writing the install date on the pit lid with a marker is a simple way to keep track of age.

Stop and phone a plumber when

  1. 1A ceiling or wall starts dripping
  2. 2More than one drain backs up at once
  3. 3You smell gas or sewage indoors
  4. 4A valve will not turn or drips when touched

When to call

Call if the pump gives out the bucket test, runs non-stop, or sounds rough. Call too if the lower level is finished and there is no backup. We handle sump pump repair, full replacement and battery backup systems. For the bigger picture, read basement flooding prevention.

Straight answers to common calls

Roughly how many years does a sump pump give?

Many last about seven to ten years, depending on how frequently they run and the build of the unit.

Do I need a battery backup?

If the lower level is finished or storms cause power cuts in your area, a backup is a worthwhile safeguard.

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