In the basement, a low-level space is secluded for collection of water that flows inside. This space has a pit dug into the ground and has a sump pump fixed in it. The most common size of the sump is 18 inches in diameter and 24 inches deep.
A sump pump has two major components; the mechanical pump parts and a float switch. The purpose of the float switch is to detect the level of water present, thereby activating the mechanical parts which pump out the water. The mechanical pump parts are involved in the expulsion of water through pipes which have a one-way valve to prevent back flow of the ousted water.
Sump pumps are essential, and they bring about several benefits when installed in the basement. Without the sump pump, flooding might cause serious havoc, and therefore, it is crucial to have one installed. So, what are the benefits associated with the removal of the flooded water?
First of all, sump pumps protect wall paints from fading and peeling off. In case of metallic structures in the basement, it prevents corrosion which might result from contact with water after paint peeling off. Moreover, flooded water might be home to various harmful insects, and this pump helps avoid their breeding, alongside other organisms such as molds and fungus.
Every mechanical device is always prone to defects, and sump pumps are no exemptions. Let us discuss some of the flaws you expect to experience after installation of a sump pump.
We know that pumps require electricity for power provision to operate. One of the expected issues might be fault connection either during the installation or tampering with later on. A faulty connection might lead to total failure of the pump until rectified.
Other issues might include motor failure, broken outlet pipes, and float switch failure. Some of these issues might be as a result of either poor electric connection and poor maintenance, among other causes.
Whether the issues are caused by poor installation or poor maintenance services, the most feasible solution is seeking assistance from professional plumbers. If you are in Etobicoke or around the city and require plumbing services, then Precise Plumbing is the best company to hire.
Precise Plumbing offers quality services including installation and repair of sump pumps. We have been in service for more than 20 years, therefore, guaranteeing experience in the field. Contact us when in need to have our friendly and experienced technicians be at your disposal.
Sump pumps are essential for the protection of your house, as well as the welfare of the occupants. Therefore, you should contact Precise Plumbers for services regarding sump pumps. Call us at 647-233-6203 to have one of our experienced Etobicoke plumbers install a sump pump in your home or business.
| Yes. Areas near the Humber River — including Humber Valley Village, Baby Point, and parts of Rexdale — and low-lying areas near Mimico Creek have a history of basement flooding during heavy rainfall and spring snowmelt. The City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Portal identifies high-risk areas by address. Homeowners in these zones should have a primary sump pump, a battery backup, and a properly maintained backwater valve. |
| A backwater valve is a one-way valve installed in your home’s main sewer drain line. It allows sewage to flow out normally but prevents it from flowing back into your basement during sewer surcharge events — when the city sewer system becomes overloaded during heavy rain. The City of Toronto offers a rebate of up to $1,250 for eligible homeowners who install a backwater valve. Many Etobicoke homes built before 1990 don’t have one, and it’s one of the most effective flood protection investments you can make. |
| The City of Toronto’s subsidy program covers a foundation drain disconnection (up to $3,400), a backwater valve (up to $1,250), and window well covers (up to $400) for eligible Etobicoke homeowners. Sump pump installation itself isn’t a direct line item in the subsidy, but a sump pit and pump are typically required as part of a foundation drain disconnection — making the pump installation effectively covered under that portion of the rebate. |
| A quality sump pump in an Etobicoke home typically lasts seven to ten years with routine maintenance. Units in high-risk flood zones near the Humber or Mimico Creek that run frequently will reach the lower end of that range. If your pump is over seven years old, making unusual noises, or struggled to keep up during the last heavy rainstorm, have it tested before the next spring thaw — replacing a pump proactively costs far less than flood damage. |
| If you have a battery backup unit, it should activate automatically. If not, call us immediately — this is a plumbing emergency and we treat it as such. While you wait, remove valuables from low areas of the basement and watch for water rising in the pit. Do not attempt to work on the pump yourself while the pit is filling and water may be near electrical components. |
| A sump pump protects against groundwater intrusion — water that enters through the floor or footing drains. It does not protect against sewer backup (that’s what a backwater valve is for) or water that enters through window wells or foundation wall cracks. Full basement flood protection in Etobicoke usually requires a combination of a sump pump, a backwater valve, sealed window wells, and proper exterior grading. |
| Yes. Battery backup sump pumps are one of the most important upgrades for Etobicoke homeowners, particularly given that power outages frequently occur during the same storms that bring the heaviest rainfall. We install both standard battery backup units and water-powered backup systems. Battery backups are more reliable in most Etobicoke homes and are eligible to be installed alongside your primary pump in the same pit. |