Sump Pump Service, Repair & Installation

In many cases a sump pump issue can cause a basement flood and you'll need someone there as quickly as possible. Pump failure is common with heavy rain, or in an extended wet season. If there are loud noises and it sounds like something is wrong, pretty good chance it needs repair work done.



Most sump pumps run frequently and need routine maintenance to perform at their best, especially in a wet climate or an area with a high water table. Not having regular servicing done could invalidate a home insurance policy regarding flooding issues. Maintenance plans are the best sump pump solutions.

Your unit should be inspected annually by a licensed plumber or a local contractor. There are many common sump pump problems because it's a machine with moving parts submerged in water, and it dries out when idle. Too often, sump pump service is not done frequently enough and sooner than expected, you're dealing with an expensive sump pump repair.

Pump failure typically goes unnoticed until an unpleasant situation grabs your attention, but by then you are facing an expensive problem. Maintenance is always the best policy to protect against loss due to water damage and early sump pump replacement.

Some systems in older Coquitlam homes drain many gallons of water water into the city’s combined storm drain and sanitary sewers. With the ongoing changeover to separate storm water and sanitary sewers, homeowners are legally obliged to reroute their plumbing away from sanitary sewers or face a fine. Call us to request service in that matter.

We can install a new sump pump unit if yours has reached the end of its life expectancy. There are a number of choices and we can suggest a few options regarding the quality of pump you want installed. Any sump pump installation we provide is done by a plumbing expert to ensure safe operation going forward.

Call our company during office hours if you think it's time to replace the old one.

Purpose of a Sump Pump

All of these pumps remove excess water from around your home’s foundation, protecting your basement from water seeping in. It helps stabilize the soil surrounding your home by keeping the soil saturation point low. Activated by rising water, a battery backup sump pump has a deep-cycle marine battery in conjunction with a trickle-charger. In many cases a 12-volt back-up battery is there for extra protection.

There are many Coquitlam basements in a high ground water table area. When your yard is dry on top, the soil underground and around your basement can be quite wet. In many homes these machines work on and off regularly, to maintain acceptable water levels. Tucked away in the corner of your basement or in a crawl space, it is below the floor level in a basin which is almost always wet.

A basement pump may sit quietly for most of the year, but once the snow melts or heavy rains start falling, you expect those types of sump pumps to jump into action and prevent basement flooding.

To help you avoid expensive repair, we've posted some DIY tips anyone can easily take care of. Here are some of the most common plumbing points to check and fix. 

Check The Float Switch

The float is a vital part of the system, and it is also one of the most vulnerable. The float rises with water in the sump pit, which in turn triggers the pump to start pulling water out of the pit. To check the float switch, slowly pour some water into the pit. If the float rises with the water and the pump activates and then shuts off when the water has been removed, you’re in luck. Repeat this test every few months.

Clean the Sump Pump Pit

Debris in the sump pit is a major cause of float problems. Even if your pump is working as it should, cleaning out the pit should be a regular part of repair and maintenance. Remove any loose items in the pit that could plug the discharge pipe.

Test the Check Valve

If you pour water into the sump basin and, instead of triggering the pump and removing the water, you find water level returns to the pit, you probably need to replace the check valve.

Clean the Impeller

Keeping debris out of the pit is an important part general maintenance. Sometimes, however, debris can work itself past the inlet screen and jam the impeller. To see if this is your problem first unplug the pump, then disconnect it from the piping and remove the pump from the pit. Disassemble the pump to access the screen and impeller. Remove any debris, reassemble and replace the pump.

Check for Power Failure

If it does not seem to be working at all, check the electrical connections. Make sure the pump is plugged in properly, and check the circuit breaker for a power outage. Pay special attention to the ground water fault circuit interrupter if your pump is connected to one, as these have a tendency to trip. Press the reset button on the GFCI. If the electrical supply seems fine, chances are good that you'll need the current sump pump repaired or replaced.

When you know it's time to replace the old unit, call us for quality work. We'll send an experienced service technician to install a new pump for you. With all the new pumps on the market, you'll want to know which make and model is best for your needs.