Symptoms and what they usually mean
- Motor hums, pit stays full: jammed impeller or a stuck check valve
- Runs constantly: float stuck in the up position, or a check valve letting water fall back
- Starts and stops every few seconds: float set too tight, or the pit is undersized
- Silent with water rising: tripped breaker, failed motor or a float wedged against the pit wall
- Loud banging when it stops: water hammer at the check valve
On-site checks
- Confirm power at the outlet, preferably a dedicated circuit, and test any GFCI.
- Lift the pump and clear gravel and silt from the intake screen.
- Free the float switch and check its range of travel.
- Test the check valve by watching the discharge pipe after a cycle.
- Hose water into the pit, then watch a complete start, pump-down and shut-off.
Repair or replace?
Floats, check valves and discharge fittings are inexpensive to replace. If the motor is seized, overheating or the pump has run for many seasons in a hard-working pit, replacing it is usually the better choice. Our replacement page covers sizing. Adding a battery backup is the next step for anyone with a finished basement.
Many Vaughan homes discharge onto the lawn or side yard. Make sure the outlet is not freezing shut in winter or draining back toward the foundation.
Seasonal care
Test the pump before the spring melt by filling the pit from a pail till it kicks on. Clear leaves from the discharge outlet in fall. Our sump testing guide shows the five-minute check.
What we open up on this job
| Part | Where we find it | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Sump pit | Weeping tile ties in near the foundation | Clean silt, check the inlet pipes |
| Primary pump | Submersible ⅓ or ½ hp, vertical float | Lift the float, time the cycle, check the cord |
| Check valve | Above the pump on the discharge | Listen for slam, replace a leaking flap |
| Discharge line | Out through the rim joist to grade | Confirm it drains away, not back to the wall |
Signs it is time to call
- Motor hums while the pit level stays put
- Float sticks against the pit wall
- Pump runs every few minutes in dry weather
- Discharge pipe freezes or ices up at the outlet
- Pump is close to ten years old
On the truck for this one
- Bucket and garden hose for a fill test
- Clamp meter to read draw
- PVC cutter and primer
- Spare check valve and rubber unions
- Wet vac for the pit
Quick answers
My pump cycles on dry days. Why?
Clay soils and a high water table can keep weeping tile flowing for days after a storm or during snowmelt.
Can I connect the sump to the sanitary drain?
Generally no. Municipalities typically prohibit sump water in the sanitary sewer. Check the City of Vaughan bylaw.