Spring test
Late winter, before the snow melts, is the best time to test. In Whitby, the March and April thaw combined with spring rain is when pits fill fastest. Here is a simple sequence:
- Make sure the cord is seated and the receptacle is live. On a GFCI receptacle, trip it with the test button and then reset it.
- Remove the pit lid and look for debris, silt or stones around the pump intake.
- Tip a pail of water gently into the pit so the float lifts.
- Watch the pump start, lower the water, and shut off cleanly.
- Pay attention to grinding or rattling noises, or a motor humming while the water level stays put.
- Check that the check valve closes without loud banging and that water does not flow back into the pit.
Should the float catch on the liner or the power cord, shift the pump until the float travels cleanly. A vertical float switch suits narrow pits better than a tethered float.
Discharge line
A pump is only as good as the route its water takes. Walk outside and follow the discharge pipe. It should end well away from the foundation, ideally on a slope that leads water away from the house. Water dumped beside the wall soaks back into the soil and returns to the pit, causing the pump to cycle endlessly.
- Clear leaves, snow and ice from the outlet.
- Check that a removable extension has not been pulled off by a mower or shovel.
- Look for cracks or disconnected joints.
- In winter, make sure the outlet is not frozen shut; a frozen line forces water back to the pit.
Sump discharge must not be connected to the sanitary sewer. Most municipalities in Durham prohibit it, because storm water overloads the treatment system.
When to replace
Pumps wear quietly. Many last around seven to ten years, depending on how often they run and how much grit they handle. Replacement is wise when the pump is old, runs constantly, struggles to lower the water, cycles on and off rapidly, or makes unfamiliar noise. Replacing a pump on a calm day costs far less than recovering from a flooded basement.
Our sump pump installation page explains the process, and battery backups cover power outages. For homes with older or more complex water issues, our note on buying an older home and our guide to basement flood prevention go further.
Keeping a simple log
Jot each test date on an index card taped under the pit cover. Note the pump's install date, the battery date if you have a backup, and anything unusual you heard or saw. Over a few years, that card shows how hard the pump works and when parts are due, and it is useful information to pass to a buyer if you ever sell.
Asked on the phone
What is a sensible testing schedule for a sump pump?
Every late winter ahead of the melt, plus a second round in early fall if your pit cycles a lot.
My sump pump cycles on dry days. Why?
A high water table, a discharge line returning water to the foundation, or a failed check valve can all cause frequent cycling.
Can my sump pump discharge into the floor drain?
Generally no. Floor drains connect to the sanitary sewer, and sump water belongs outside.