One of those things that has a lot to do with timing is a sump pump not working. It doesn’t often miss August’s sunny days. It goes out during the first serious storm in the springtime (or when snow is beginning to melt and water is starting to seep across the bottom of the basement).
Don’t panic, don’t assume that you need a full sump pump replacement, there are a few causes that, if caught, can be fixed and the pump continued to be used. When the diagnosis is correct and the repairs are performed correctly, the right sump pump repair can be done on the same day, at a fraction of replacement cost.
Call BOS Plumbing and Drains for the sump pump plumber GTA homeowners have called on for 20+ years. We first diagnose, write an estimate and explain that estimate to you before we do anything. We’ll repair it if it’s a repair. If the unit is beyond repair, we will let you know and we will not repair a unit and require a repair call fee before it is time for replacement in six months.
We’ve seen all of the failure modes of sump pump repair near me in the GTA over the last 20 years. These are the ones we see most frequently:
The pump’s trigger is the float switch. Rises with the water in the pit and will tell the motor to turn on. If it remains in the lower position, the pump is not operating, water rises, basement floods and the pit overflows. If it remains in the “up” position, then the pump will keep operating even when it is empty, and the motor will quickly burn out within a few hours.
The causes of float switch failure include debris accumulating on it, or the float becoming entangled in the wall of the pit or discharge pipe. This is a very common sump pump fix job that we perform and is one of the easiest to repair. In a relatively new unit, changing the float switch is quick, inexpensive and restores all functionality.
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A filter screen located at the bottom of the pump prevents debris from getting into the impeller. Gravel, leaves, mineral deposits and dirt get stuck in the screen over time, particularly if the pit is not covered or protected. The motor turns, pump sounds but not anything moves. But many homeowners think the motor is seized, when in fact it’s a blocked intake that only takes minutes to clean up.
This is virtually eliminated with regular sump pump maintenance. If you don’t know when your pump was last serviced, you have a good chance of having this as a part of your problem.
The check valve is located in the discharge line to prevent the water from flowing back into the pit when the pump shuts off. If it doesn’t, water flows back down each cycle. The pump then short cycles on and off, over and over again, in a rapid succession causing heat and premature motor failure.
They are a relatively cheap part. It can be replaced when the sump pump repairs, and this helps to prolong the life of the motor.
The motor itself could be burned out if the pump has been short-cycling, running dry, or idle and neglected for years. Symptoms are: Pump does not sound at all when turned on or sounds with a humming sound but impeller is not spinning. Motor repair or replacement is a possibility on newer units. When the unit is 8-10 years or older, motor failure typically results in a discussion of sump pump replacement instead of repair.
The motor will be evaluated at the diagnostic visit and we will inform you what is sensible financially.
Water from the pump is pumped out of the house in the discharge line, usually passing through the foundation wall to end a few feet from the house. During Ontario winters, that exterior part may freeze solid and if a pump tries to push against a blocked discharge line it will become hot and quit during a storm.
Another cause of discharge line blockages is debris, root invasion or inadequate pitch (allowing water to accumulate and freeze in certain areas). Each sump pump repair call is an inspection of the entire discharge line, not just the pump unit.
This is not a mechanical issue, it’s a capacity mismatch. Some homes in the GTA that were built pre-1990 may have residential grade pumps, but they may not be able to match the drainage volume and or water table pressure of the home. The pump operates all the time, overheats, and ultimately fails. Here, a sump pump fix is the answer to the problem and is the correct size, not a repair.
If this is the case, we will be able to let you know clearly. There is no point in continually repairing the undersized unit.
The following sump pump service checks are harmless for homeowners to perform. Others aren’t.
Safe to Check Yourself: Make sure the pump is plugged in and the circuit breaker is not tripped. Check there is no debris or tangling on the float to prevent it from blocking the pit wall. Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit and see if the float is going up and the pump is turning on.
Leave to a Licensed Plumber: Any work that needs to be done for the electrical diagnosis, motor assessment, replacement of impeller or seal, discharge line repair, or opening the unit should be performed by a licensed plumber. Sump pumps are used in wet areas where electrical connections are present. The service call is a mistake and a failed repair that leads to a basement flood will be much more expensive than a mistake.
If the water is actively coming in and you don’t have time to wait, BOS Plumbing will take care of your emergency sump pump repair needs. Call us. Same day shipments are available throughout the GTA.
Let’s see what our sump pump specialist does when he arrives on the scene and until he is finished with the job:
Arrival And Initial Assessment: What did you see upon arrival: When it failed, any sounds made (or not) and, did the basement take in water? The history helps to narrow a possible diagnosis before opening the pit.
Full System Inspection: Pump unit, float mechanism, impeller, motor, check valve, discharge line, pit condition and electrical connection checked. Not only the pump but the entire plumbing system around the pump.
Diagnosis And Written Quote: We will let you know what we found, what the repair will entail and the cost. If it’s time to replace the sump pump at this stage, then we will say this, and we’ll provide you with an estimate for sump pump replacement at the same time to make an informed decision.
Execute Repair: Provided you’ve agreed to the repair, we get to it right away in most cases. Common items that we have on our trucks are float switches, check valves and intake screens. The majority of sump pump repair near me gta companies can fix sump pumps in just one visit.
Load Test Prior To Leaving: Water is poured into the pit, the pump is tested to see if it will start at the proper water level, it is tested to ensure that it is discharged completely, and it is checked to ensure that the check valve is holding. You see it in action before we leave.
Written Documentation: A record of what has been repaired, parts replaced and what the warranty does and doesn’t cover. Store for future requests for sump pump services, and for insurance purposes.
When it comes to the financial investment in any home, this is the one question that every homeowner wants answered before they invest. In our mind we think about it like this:
Repair Is The Correct Choice When: The unit is less than 7 years old, the failure was caused by a single component problem (float failure, check valve failure or clogged intake) and the motor has no signs of wear. A good job can save a few years of operation’s life of a sump pump repair that has not been as old as it is.
Replacement Is More Appropriate When: The unit is 10+ years old, has failed more than once recently, the motor has signs of wear or corrosion, or the unit never was the correct size for the property. Buying the sump pump fix for $250 to extend its service life for one year is very rarely a good deal, when the pump will finally fail completely after that time.
Grey Zone (7 To 10 Years Old): we consider the particular condition of the motor and the whole unit. If the pump is a 9-year old and has a bad float switch and the motor is clean running, it may be worth repairing. A tired motor, rust and mineral deposits are unlikely to be the reasons for a failing pump and are likely to be symptoms of a pump that’s probably not the same age pump. We will be honest about anything with the facts of your unit; not a blanket policy.
BOS receives a lot of calls for sump pump repair the majority of which are preventable. Annual (late winter before spring thaw) routine sump pump maintenance prevents the problems that result in emergency calls.
During a normal annual maintenance call out by BOS:
Float Switch Test: To manually test a float switch by lifting the float to make sure that the pump is working properly. Catches before catch faults occur during a storm.
Intake Screen Inspection and Cleaning: Clears debris buildup which may impede flow and increase the amount of work the motor must perform.
Check Valve Function Check: Water drain back check of the function of the check valve; ensures that water is not draining back into the pit between cycles. An early discovered failing check valve is a $150 part changeout. The one that is not done until the motor short cycles to failure, is more expensive.
Discharge Line Inspection: It ensures there are no partial blockages, pitch is correct or if it has been frozen in the outside sections then checks for them.
Full Run Test: Pump is tested under load to ensure it is activated, discharged and cleaned shut-off.
Service Record: Written record which you keep on file. It is useful in case of a home insurance claim, upon selling a home and for tracking the service history of the pump.
BOS is one of the only companies that can repair any common types of sump pumps that is used in the homes and commercial buildings in the GTA:
The most common type of pump in properties in the residential GTA is the submersible pumps. The motor is completely submerged in the pit and is cooled by the water in the pit. High capacity, quiet and suitable for the spring flooding season in Ontario. Submersible units are the most common units that are called in for repair.
Pedestal pumps are pumps that have the motor attached to a stand above the pit. Less efficient when under load but easier to access for sump pump repair, the motor is not located in the sump. Occasionally found in older homes in the GTA.
When the main pump fails or the power outages, as most basement flooding is caused by, battery backup pumps are placed next to the main pump. We’re here to service and repair your backup units and primary units.
The sewage ejector pumps are used to pump sewage from below-grade toilets. It is a similar, but not the same system as traditional sump pumps, and can be misinterpreted. BOS handles both.
A plumbing company with which homeowners are comfortable and familiar will likely start a relationship with a homeowner when they call for a sump pump repair. These are all the services BOS Plumbing and Drains have to offer:
We’re the local plumbers, that’s the guy that homeowners in the GTA call when they want it done right the first time, by someone who will give them the honest answer and a written estimate before beginning work.
For more than 20 years BOS Plumbing and Drains have been repairing sump pumps near me from Niagara to the GTA. We understand how the water table is in Hamilton’s lower city, how flooding happens in the spring in Cambridge, how older homes in the Oakville and Milton neighborhoods really need a sump pump and what properties in the GTA really require a home sump pump system.
Plumbers are on call for same day plumbers in Mississauga, plumbers in Oakville, plumbers in Hamilton, plumbers in Milton and plumbers in Cambridge. If you’re looking for a sump pump service near me, sump pump installation near me or plumbers near me for a pump problem, be sure to call BOS Plumbing anywhere in the GTA.
Central air conditioner installation on a home with existing ductwork is typically completed in one day. Mini split installation for a single zone takes 3–5 hours. Multi-zone ductless ac installation may require a full day depending on the number of indoor units and complexity of line set routing.
For most central air conditioner installation work involving electrical connections, a permit is required. BOS manages permit requirements as part of our service, keeping you fully code-compliant without the administrative headache.
Home depot ac installation services are typically coordinated through third-party subcontractors. BOS is a direct-service, licensed HVAC and plumbing company with 20+ years of GTA experience and full accountability for every job. You work with us from quote to completion.
Mini splits AC don’t require ductwork and allow room-level temperature control. Central air conditioner installation delivers whole-home cooling through existing ducts from a single system. The right choice depends on your home’s layout, existing infrastructure, and how you want to manage cooling across different spaces.
Sometimes, system components need to be matched properly for efficiency and reliability. Our technicians will assess compatibility between existing indoor components and a new outdoor unit before recommending partial versus full system replacement.
We cover our installations with a workmanship warranty. If an issue develops that’s related to the installation, we return and resolve it at no charge. Call us directly, no third-party warranty service centres, no runaround.
