Your Sump Pump Deserves a Summer Checkup — Before the Next Big Storm

August gives us plenty of beautiful Ontario summer days, but it can also bring heavy downpours and thunderstorms. And when the rain really starts coming down, that's a terrible time to discover that your sump pump hasn't been paying attention.

Your sump pump is one of those hardworking pieces of your home that can sit quietly for weeks or months… until suddenly you really, really need it.

A quick check now can help protect your basement from water damage and give you some peace of mind before the next storm rolls through.

First: What Does a Sump Pump Actually Do?

If your home has a sump pit, groundwater and drainage around the foundation are directed toward it. Once the water reaches a certain level, the pump turns on and sends that water safely away from your home.

Simple system. Very important job.

And because it often operates automatically, it's easy to forget about it.

Give It the Bucket Test

This is one of the simplest homeowner maintenance checks you can do.

Slowly pour a bucket of water into your sump pit until the water level raises the float.

Your pump should:

• Turn on automatically

• Remove the water promptly

• Shut itself off once the water drops

If nothing happens—or the pump struggles—don't wait for a storm to investigate further.

Take a Peek Inside the Pit

Grab a flashlight and look for anything that could interfere with the pump or float.

You may find dirt, stones or other debris that has made its way into the pit.

The float needs to move freely so it can activate the pump when water rises.

Check Where the Water Goes

Head outside and locate your sump pump discharge.

You want the water being discharged away from your foundation, not immediately beside the house where it can potentially make its way right back toward your basement.

Also check that the outlet hasn't become blocked by grass, landscaping, debris or our favourite summer garden overachiever that has apparently decided it owns the entire side yard.

Do You Have Backup Power?

Here's the frustrating part about summer storms: heavy rain and power outages sometimes arrive together.

Unfortunately, a standard sump pump can't do much without electricity.

If your basement relies heavily on a sump pump for water management, it may be worth speaking with a qualified professional about an appropriate battery-backup or other backup system.

Look Around the Basement Too

Your sump pump isn't the only clue that water may be finding its way toward your home.

Watch for:

• Dampness around foundation walls

• Musty smells

• Water staining

• Efflorescence—that white, chalky material sometimes seen on concrete

• Water collecting near basement windows

Catching moisture problems early is almost always easier than dealing with the aftermath later.

Don't Forget Your Exterior Drainage

Your sump pump should be part of your home's water-management strategy—not the entire strategy.

Make sure your gutters are clear, downspouts are directing water away from the foundation, and soil around the house hasn't settled in a way that directs rainwater toward it.

The less water you send toward your foundation in the first place, the less work your sump pump has to do.

Charlotte's Tip 💡

Your sump pump is basically the friend who never says anything but somehow ends up doing all the work when things go sideways.

Give it five minutes of attention while everything is dry and calm.

Pour in a bucket of water. Make sure it starts. Check the discharge. Then you can forget about it again—preferably until your next regular maintenance check, rather than discovering a problem because you're standing ankle-deep in your basement at 2 a.m.

Five minutes now. Potentially thousands of dollars of water damage avoided later. That's a pretty good homeowner hack.