The right pump
- We size the pump to how fast your pit fills during heavy rain. A 1/3 horsepower pump suits many Richmond Hill houses, but homes near Lake Wilcox, the Oak Ridges Moraine or low-lying areas with a high water table may need 1/2 horsepower or more. Cast iron pumps handle continuous running better than plastic ones.
- Vertical float switches are more reliable in narrow pits than tethered floats, which can catch on the pit wall. We check the pit diameter before choosing.
Discharge and check valve
- The discharge pipe carries water out of the house. It also needs a check valve, so the water standing in the pipe cannot crash back into the pit, and it should end far enough from the foundation that water does not just soak back in. In Richmond Hill, sump discharge generally goes to the yard surface, not into the sanitary sewer; check the town's current bylaw if you are unsure.
- In winter, a discharge pipe that freezes outside blocks the pump. We set up the outside end to drain freely and suggest a freeze-relief fitting where it makes sense.
Signs you need this
- The pump never stops, or never starts
- Puddles around the pit after rain
- The pump is more than 8 to 10 years old
- No backup pump in the pit
- Loud clunking when the pump shuts off
Battery backup
- The same storms that raise groundwater cut the power. A battery pump mounted above the primary and takes over if power fails or the main pump stops. On town water, a water-powered backup is a further choice. Some municipalities in York Region have offered flood-protection subsidies for these devices; check what Richmond Hill offers now.
- We test the full system on install by filling the pit with a hose until both pumps run.
How the job runs
- 1
Pit size, inflow rate and discharge route are assessed.
- 2
The pump and float switch are chosen and installed.
- 3
A check valve and discharge line are fitted to drain away from the house.
- 4
The pit is filled with water to test both primary and backup pumps.
Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.
Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.