Seasonal maintenance
Is Your Sump Pump Ready for Summer Storms?
A quick test with a bucket of water tells you if your sump pump will actually turn on when a Toronto storm hits — here's how to check it and what to do if it fails.
You test it by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit and watching whether the pump kicks on, moves the water out, and shuts off on its own. If it does all three, you're in decent shape heading into storm season. If it stutters, runs but doesn't drain the pit, or does nothing at all, it's time to get it looked at before the next downpour, not after your basement is wet.
August and September are peak season for sudden, heavy thunderstorms across the GTA, the kind that dump an inch of rain in under an hour. Older neighbourhoods with clay or combined sewer pipes, think parts of the Danforth, Leslieville, and the west end around Bloor and Dufferin, feel this the hardest, because the city's storm sewers can back up fast when everyone's downspouts and foundation drains are pushing water into the same system at once. A sump pump that isn't working is often the difference between a dry basement and a soaked one during exactly these kinds of storms.
How do I test my sump pump properly?
Pour water into the pit until it reaches the level where the float switch normally triggers, then time how long it takes the pump to activate and how completely it empties the pit. A healthy pump should turn on within a few seconds of the water reaching that level and shut off once the pit is nearly empty. If you hear the motor running but the water level barely drops, the impeller may be clogged or the pump may be undersized for the amount of water coming in. Do this test once a season, and definitely before a forecasted storm if it's been a while.
What are the warning signs a sump pump is about to fail?
A pump that cycles on and off rapidly, makes a grinding or rattling noise, or has visible rust and corrosion on the housing is telling you it's on borrowed time. Most sump pumps last somewhere in the range of seven to ten years, so if yours is older than that or you've never replaced it since moving in, that's worth checking. A battery backup that hasn't been tested is another common gap, since the main pump is only as useful as its power source, and Toronto storms often bring the kind of wind that knocks out electricity right when you need the pump most.
What should I do if my sump pump isn't working?
If the pump doesn't turn on at all, check that it's actually plugged in and that the outlet hasn't tripped a breaker or ground fault switch, since that's a surprisingly common and easy fix. If it's plugged in and powered but still not activating, or if it's running constantly without keeping up, that usually points to a stuck float switch, a clogged inlet screen, or a motor that's genuinely worn out. At that point it's worth having someone check it in person rather than waiting to see what happens during the next storm.
Does home insurance cover basement flooding from sump pump failure?
Most standard home insurance policies in Ontario don't automatically include sump pump or overland flood coverage, it's usually a separate endorsement you have to add. Coverage details vary a lot by insurer and policy, so the safest move is to call your provider directly and ask what's included before storm season, rather than assuming.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I test my sump pump? Once at the start of each season is a reasonable minimum, with an extra check before any storm that's been in the forecast for a few days.
Can I install a battery backup sump pump myself? It's possible for someone comfortable with basic wiring, but battery backups need to be sized correctly for your pit and pump, so many homeowners have a plumber handle it to make sure it's set up right the first time.
Why does my sump pump run even when it hasn't rained? That's often a sign of a high water table in your area or a foundation drain that's picking up groundwater year-round, which is common in some older GTA neighbourhoods with clay soil.
A sump pump that hasn't been tested since last spring is a gamble you don't want to take during a summer storm — request a plumber or message us on Facebook. Free for homeowners, care of GetFixHero.
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