Everything You Need to Know About Sump Pump Installation in Mississauga

Owning and maintaining a sump pump is crucial. Mississauga homeowners and residents could significantly benefit from having a sump pump installed in their homes.

In Mississauga, the shores of Lake Ontario are never far. Unfortunately, they can occasionally find their way into your basement. Installing a sump pump can help keep water levels low and mould at bay.

This article will address everything you need to know about sump pump installation, including the potential benefits, ideal placement location, and projected costs. When you've finished reading, you may feel like a Mississauga sump pump installation professional!

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is an electronically powered mechanical device that is used to transport water from a home's interior to its exterior. Sump pumps come in many different sizes, capacities, and types.

However, the primary purpose of all sump pumps remains the same: Move water quickly and efficiently. While the obvious benefits of these machines is an un-flooded basement, there are also a few additional benefits that are worth mentioning.

Benefits of a Sump Pump

Sump pumps do a fantastic job of draining water (rain water and a hi ground water level) from a home's basement. This can allow homeowners to visit their basements and perform practical, health-conscious renovations. Mould remediation may be required if humidity levels are still high.

Still, sump pumps show their true colours over time. After extended use, you might begin to notice benefits such as:

• Improved in-home air quality
• Reduced water-borne pests
• Reduced risk of mould damage

When a home's subterranean levels are dry, clean, and pest-free, you may begin to sincerely enjoy your once-flooded basement space. And if you account for long-term repair costs and damages caused by flooding, a sump pump almost pays for itself.

However, sump pumps can fail to perform well if they're improperly placed or installed. Putting your sump pump in the right spot is crucial if you want it to perform at maximum efficiency and capacity.

Where Should You Install a Sump Pump?

The best place to install a sump pump is in the lowest portion of your basement. You can figure out what direction water naturally tends to flow toward by placing a level on your basement's flooring.

Previous damage may also help you locate the area in your home where water collects. Once you've discovered this spot, you'll need to also locate the nearest power outlet. Sump pumps cannot function without a consistent power source.

If the nearest outlet to your low spot is several feet away, don't panic. You can always use an extension cable to help things along.

How Do You Install a Sump Pump?

Once you've located your sump spot and figured out your power situation, you can move forward with the sump pump installation. If you don't have a lot of home improvement experience, you may struggle with some aspects of this installation.

However, sump pumps are often installed by professional technicians. Labour-intensive projects often require the help of multiple people. Having a team of experienced sump pump technicians on-hand can help expedite this process.

If you're determined to perform a DIY sump pump installation, you can. Still, if your home's toilets started spewing massive amounts of sewage, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact an emergency plumber in Mississauga.

Don't hesitate to ask for help when installing a sump pump. Friendly, professional assistance may be just around the corner.

1. Gather Your Supplies

The first thing you'll need to do when installing a new sump pump is to gather your supplies. When you're fully prepared for the job, you won't lose time searching for missing tools or equipment.

There are quite a few supplies you may need for a successful sump pump installation. Some of the most notable include:

• New sump pump
• Level
• Shovel
• Gravel
• Large paving stones
• PVC piping
• Hammer
• Cordless drill

You may also want to invest in a prefabricated sump basin and sump lid. In fact, you may need to if you discover water directly beneath the surface of your basement floor. After all, it can be difficult to install a sump pump into a muddy, watery mess.

2. Dig a Sump Basin

After using your level to determine the ideal installation location, you can start to dig.

Installing a sump pump during the late spring or summer seasons can help you avoid trying to dig through frozen dirt. However, if your basement has a solid concrete floor, you may need to use a jackhammer to reach the soil underneath.

Your sump basin should be approximately the same size as your new pump. Once you've finished digging and measured your new basin, then you can start pouring the gravel.

3. Solidify the Bottom of the Sump Pit

You don't want to use concrete or other traditional flooring materials to keep your basin's bottom solid. Concrete can crack and decay after long term exposure to water and moisture — making it a poor choice for sump pump basins.

Gravel is durable enough to withstand constant water movement. After you've packed a few inches into the bottom of your basin, it'll be solid enough to. Keep your sump pump drum level.

4. Check Your Float Valve

Once your basin preparation is complete, you can power-up your pump and test its float valve. Typically, a sump pump's float valve is a slightly oblong horizontal bar that lifts when water levels rise. This causes the pump to activate.

Ensuring that your float valve is operating correctly is key. If you notice any immediate issues, contact the manufacturer and request a replacement.

5. Connect the Check Valve

Now it's time to connect the check valve to your sump pump. The check valve should attach to the top of your pump, allowing you to attach PVC piping leading upward and outward.

Once your check valve is secure, you can begin installing drainage pipes.

6. Install Drainage Pipes

You may need to do a little planning and measuring before installing drainage pipes. It's essential to set up your PVC piping in a way that doesn't interfere with the pump, even with the check valve in place.

If you're eager to maximize your basement space, you may want to ensure that the pipes are flush against walls and ceilings. Finally, you'll want to install your pipes with your destination in mind.

Drainage pipes must eventually reach a drainage point. You'll need to choose an elevated outdoor location that can safely handle sump pump drainage. Once you've found a good spot, form a hole through the basement wall.

This hole should be just large enough to allow your PVC drainage pipe to exit. You can seal any gaps with silicone sealant, concrete, or caulking.

7. Cover That Sump Up

Finally, you can allow your sump pump to sit in its basin and await action. Put the lid over it and call it a day!

Sump Pump Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping a sump pump cleaned and maintained can help it last longer and work better. A well-cared-for sump pump can last up to ten years. Annual sump pump cleaning is often enough to keep pumps in tip-top shape.

But if you begin to notice drainage issues or strange sounds coming from the pump basin, you may need to shut the sump pump off and perform some emergency cleaning.

Sump pump cleaning is a cinch, especially if you arrive with protective safety gear and clothing. Let's quickly summarize how to clean sump pumps. You'll need to:

• Turn the pump off
• Lay down plastic sheeting near the pump basin
• Remove the sump pump and place it on the sheeting
• Wrap the pump up and carry it outside
• Spray it down with a hose, making sure to clean intake valves
• Scrub away set-in gunk with a soft-bristled brush
• Let the pump air-dry
• Use a wet vac to remove any persistent moisture from the pump
• Remove the check valve
• Drain and rinse the check valve
• Reapply the check valve to the pump
• Reconnect the pump to the discharge piping
• Place pump back into the sump pump basin
• Turn the sump pump on

This might seem like quite a lot of steps. But each requires anywhere from two seconds to two minutes to complete. Of course, allowing your sump pump to air-dry may take far longer. But you could enjoy a nice lunch while you wait.

You may be able to avoid recurrent sump pump performance issues by investing in a high-quality model with a powerful motor and an impressive warranty. However, you could end up paying more for these admirable qualities.

If you're in the market for a new sump pump, you'll need to weigh a few factors and consider your priorities. Doing so can help you make the best possible decision for your home.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sump Pump

When browsing for a replacement sump pump, there are quite a few factors that you may want to consider. Pump type is one of the most crucial, though discharge rates can be just as pivotal to a sump pump's overall performance.

Lastly, a sump pump's affordability could play a role in the decision-making process. If you're hiring a technician to install your replacement sump pump, then you're likely already investing a reasonable sum into the project.

Type

There are several types of sump pumps. Some can be placed underground while others remain above the topsoil. And other types of sump pumps are designed to withstand power outages and rough environmental conditions.

When shopping for a sump pump, you’ll come across these two categories:

1. Submersible Sump Pumps, and

2. Pedestal Sump Pumps

Submersible sump pumps may require more initial labour. You'll need to dig a hole that is large enough to envelop the sump pump — which may prove to be labour-intensive work. Yet, these submersible sump pumps have motors that thrive in water.

Pedestal motors, on the other hand, do not endure underwater treatment like their submersible counterparts. Installing a pedestal sump pump may not require intense physical effort, however it does require far more patience and technique to safely accomplish.

Discharge Rate

A sump pump's discharge rate is the speed at which it can expel water from the discharge piping. While this isn't always the case, a higher discharge rate often indicates a higher performance ability and drainage capacity.

Price

The final factor that homeowners and residents will need to consider is the price. It could be worthwhile to set a project budget before committing to any services or products. Doing so can help keep you from overspending on your installation.

Of course, you could always check and see if your preferred service provider has any current special offers. If they do, you may be able to treat yourself to a sleek and powerful sump pump.

Sump Pump Installation in Mississauga

Now that you're all caught up with everything there is to know about sump pump installation, you can share your new knowledge with friends, coworkers, and family members. You may even feel inspired to purchase a new sump pump for your home.

Mississauga is no stranger to basement flooding. You and your household could enjoy the benefits and peace of mind that come along with a replacement basement sump pump.

However, sump pump replacement and installation could be an investment that pays for itself.. It is definitely the best line of defence against having a flooded basement during a heavy rainstorm, which seems to be more common in the last few years. The cost is minimal compared to an insurance claim. Not to mention the loss of personal property and the inconvenience of having to tear out all the water damaged property.

If you're interested in learning more about our residential services, including sump pump maintenance, contact your local trusted Mississauga plumbing company!