In the basement, there is a low area set aside to catch water that flows through the building. A hole has been dug in the ground here to hold a sump pump. Most of the time, the sump is 18 inches across and 24 inches deep.
There are two main parts of a sump pump: the mechanical pump parts and the float switch. The float switch’s job is to find out how much water is in the tank. This turns on the motor parts that pump out the water. The mechanical parts of the pump help move water out of the system through lines that have a one-way valve to stop the water from going back in.
Installing sump pumps in the basement has various advantages and makes them necessary. Installing a sump pump is essential because flooding could cause major damage without one. What are the advantages of getting rid of the flooded water, then?
Sump pumps, first and foremost, shield wall paints from fading and flaking. It shields metallic foundation structures from corrosion that could come from coming into contact with water after the paint has peeled off. Furthermore, this pump helps prevent the growth of dangerous insects that may reside in flooded water, as well as other organisms like mould and fungus.
As with any other mechanical system, sump pumps can develop problems. Let’s talk about some of the problems that crop up after putting up a sump pump.
It is well known that pumps necessitate a constant supply of electricity. Faulty connections, either during setup or after the fact due to manipulation, are a potential source of trouble. If a connection fails, the pump could stop working entirely.
Failure of the motor, the outlet pipes, or the float switch are other possibilities. Poor power connection or lack of maintenance could be to blame for some of these problems.
The best thing that can be done is to get help from skilled plumbers, whether the problems are caused by bad installation or bad maintenance. Precise Plumbing is the best company to call if you need plumbing work done in Oakville or anywhere else in the city.
Precise Plumbing provides good services, such as setting up and fixing sump pumps. Since we’ve been in business for more than 20 years, you can be sure that we have experience in this area. Get in touch with us whenever you need our helpful and skilled experts to help you.
For the safety of your home and the health of the people who live there, sump pumps are important. So, if you need help with sump pumps, you should call Precise Plumbers. Our skilled Oakville plumbers can put in a sump pump in your home or business if you call us at 905-502-5739.
Yes. Properties near Bronte Creek and Sixteen Mile Creek have elevated flooding risk during spring melt and heavy rainfall, as these waterways can cause downstream groundwater levels to rise significantly. Lower-lying areas in Bronte Village and older parts of Kerr Village are also more susceptible. The Town of Oakville’s flood risk map identifies high-risk addresses — homeowners in these zones should have both a primary sump pump and a battery backup system.
Yes. The Region of Halton and the Town of Oakville participate in subsidy programs for basement flooding protection, including foundation drain disconnection and backwater valve installation. Program availability and amounts change periodically — the current program details are available through the Town of Oakville or the Region of Halton’s water services department. We help homeowners identify eligible work and can provide documentation for subsidy claims.
Frequent or continuous running during spring thaw is a sign that your pump is working hard to manage elevated groundwater — it’s not necessarily a problem if the pump is keeping up. However, continuous operation significantly accelerates wear on the motor. If your pump ran for extended periods during the last thaw and is now more than five years old, have it inspected before the next spring season. A pump that fails during peak demand is an emergency.
Oakville’s water supply comes from Lake Ontario via Halton Region and is classified as hard — typically 170 to 200 mg/L. Mineral scale can build up on float switches and pump components over time, causing the float to stick in the on or off position. This either results in the pump running continuously (burning out the motor) or not activating when it should (allowing the pit to overflow). Annual inspection and cleaning of the pump and float assembly prevents this.
A submersible pump sits inside the pit below the water level and is quieter and better at handling debris-laden water. A pedestal pump has its motor above the pit, making it easier to access for maintenance but louder and less suited to small or narrow pits. For most Oakville homes with standard sump pits, a submersible pump is the better choice — it’s more powerful for its footprint and has a longer service life in continuous-use conditions.
Yes. Battery backup installation is one of our most requested services in Oakville, particularly in areas near Bronte Creek and in Glen Abbey where power outages during storms are not uncommon. The backup activates automatically when the primary pump fails or the power goes out, providing protection during the exact conditions when you need it most. We install both standalone battery backup units and combination primary-and-backup systems.
A quality sump pump in an Oakville home typically lasts seven to ten years. Hard water and frequent operation — common for homes in flood-prone areas near Bronte Creek — push units toward the shorter end of that range. Regular maintenance, including annual testing, cleaning the pit, and checking the discharge line for obstruction, extends pump life. We recommend replacing proactively at seven years for high-risk properties rather than waiting for failure.