The installation of a sump pump can be one of the most important things you can do to prevent and control basement flooding, especially in situations where basement flooding is regular and becoming problematic.

One common need for a sump pump is if your basement is below the water table, which can cause leeching of water into your home during stormy weather. In this situation, a pump can be a much-needed solution to cure your flooding problems. Contact us for a free consultation where we can answer your questions about the installation of a sump pump.

A Sump Pump Solves Basement Flooding

Installing a sump pump can be a major help if you are experiencing problems with flooding, however, it does not necessarily deal with the entire problem. For instance, if you regularly experience basement flooding there may be other methods to solve your problem such as installing a backwater valve, or sometimes all it takes is a professional drain cleaning service to solve the problem.

Sump Pit Installation

Sump pit installation will be the first step to installing a sump pump. We will need to dig a hole in the lowest spot of your basement floor or wherever water accumulates regularly. During the installation of the sump pit, it is important that we do not jeopardize the basement foundation, so typically a sump bin will be at least 10″ away from the interior basement walls.

Once this hole has been dug out we will install a sump pit or sump basin as they are sometimes referred to. The sump pit is a large plastic bin that will allow for the accumulation of water and houses the sump pump.

What is a sump pump, and how does it work?

The type of sump pump Toronto residents usually have is a submersible pump that sits inside of the sump pit and is at the heart of the sump drainage system. There are three main components comprise a sump pump drain system – the sump pump, the sump pit, and the sump discharge pipe.

As the water levels rise, the sump pit will be the first to fill with water as it is connected to the weeping tile system that usually runs the perimeter of the home. As the groundwater level rises the sump pit will fill with water, if you are using an automatic pump (virtually everyone is these days) the pump will be activated and begin to pump the water outside of your property through the discharge pipe – away from your basements foundation. Once the water level recedes the pump will deactivate automatically.

foundation. Once the water level recedes the pump will deactivate automatically.

Backup Sump Pump Installation

During thunderstorms, when you need your pump the most, there is often the risk of a power outage. To prevent flooding from the shutdown of your pump, we can install a sump pump battery backup. A backup sump pump will ensure that your basement does not flood. Installation of a sump pump with a backup battery can make a huge difference between a flooded basement and a dry one.

Backup sump pumps are often simply secondary sump pumps that continue to operate even when the main sump pump malfunctions or shuts down due to electricity outage. Due to power outages being a common issue, backup sump pumps are using alternative sources of energy:

A battery-powered sump pump is using a deep cycle battery to continue working during a power outage.

A water-powered sump pump is using the water pressure in the waterline to propel the pump and does not require electricity at all.


Sewage Ejector Pump Installation

The sole purpose of the sewage ejector pump is to move solids and liquids to the proper drainage system. This is particularly necessary with basement toilet facilities and laundry appliance installations. Sometimes it is impossible to install proper drainage simply because the main drain is higher than these systems. Without gravity to work in our favour we must install pumps to move the waste to where it needs to go. This is where a sewage pump will come in handy; it will pump the wastewater to the appropriate drain, ensuring proper function of these fixtures.


Common Sump Pump and Sump Pit Issues

Sump pumps do not generally require a lot of maintenance but occasionally we’ll get calls regarding various issues.

What kind of sewage pump do I need?

This is a common question that we face. The best sewage pump for your needs will be based upon how much sewage will need to be pumped. Generally we are installing a lot of sewage pumps in the .5 to 1 horsepower range and the actual size of the pump varies based upon the specific needs of each individual sewage pump installation. Always have a licensed plumber install your sewage pump.

Why is my sump pump making weird noises?

There are a variety of problems that that can cause your sump pump to start making strange sounds. Such as problems that cause the pump to become stuck on; it be caused by an issue with the venting or even the pump could have been damaged from uncontrolled backflow from the sewer water. It’s a good idea to have a professional take a look at it; the discharge line may need a backwater valve which will solve the problem of water backing up from the municipal sewer systems and flooding your home.

Why is my pump always running?

A pump that runs constantly may be due to excessive water that the pump is actually trying to get rid, or it may be a more serious sign of a pump breaking down. Because of the nature of sump pumps Toronto homes typically have installed, submersed and always in the darkness, is it not uncommon for various problems to occur with age such as mold or shorting of the circuitry. If your pump is over 7 years old it’s a good idea to have someone look at.

Why does it seem that my pump fails during thunderstorms?

It is not uncommon for a sump pump to fail during a thunderstorm; this is generally when a pump will be under the most stress as there will be a lot of water to deal with. Additionally, if you do not have a backwater valve on your drainage line your pump may be under incredible stress. If you think that your pump is failing it’s a good idea to replace it as soon as possible and ensure that it is there is a correctly installed backwater valve.

What maintenance should I be doing on my sump pit?

You may end up with standing water in your sump pit which can develop a smell; do deal with this issue you can open up the sump pit and wash down the walls with a hose, next you will need to remove the old water, do this by filling the pit up with fresh water until the pump turns on and pumps the old water out of the pit. If you have a persistent smell it may be a more involved issue, contact us and we will be able to take a look into it for you.

Can I prevent my sump pump from deactivating during a power-outage?

Thunderstorms often cause power outages that lead to sump pump shutoff during the time when you need it operating the most. You can install a backup sump pump, a battery-powered sump pump or a water-powered sump pump to avoid basement flooding during power outages.

The plumbers from Absolute Draining & Plumbing we’ve been installing and performing sump pump maintenance for over a decade – we are fully licensed, insured, and bonded. Call us for sump pump installation or Toronto sewage pump installation needs at 416-252-5557 or contact us.

★★★★★ Experience 5-Star Customer Service from Absolute Draining & Plumbing

  • ★★★★★ Andrew inspected my drain. He was professional, pleasant and punctual.

    Paul M Toronto, ON
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