In Winnipeg your [sump pump](/glossary#sump-pump) is not an accessory. During spring melt it is the only thing between groundwater and your basement, and it runs harder here than in most places. It also always fails at the worst possible moment — during the melt, often during a power outage, usually at night.
Run this check in February or early March, before the melt, not during it.
1. Test it
Pour a bucket of water into the pit slowly until the float rises. The pump should start promptly, empty the pit, and shut off cleanly. If it hesitates, chatters, or runs on after the pit is empty, something is wrong.
2. Check the float switch
Most pump failures are float failures. It must move freely through its full range without catching on the pit wall, the discharge pipe or the cord.
3. Clean the pit
Silt, gravel, and in some Winnipeg homes iron ochre sludge, build up and choke the intake. Scoop it out.
4. Check the intake screen for debris
A blocked intake screen reduces flow and can burn out the motor under load.
5. Check the check valve
That is the one-way valve on the discharge pipe. If it has failed, water in the pipe falls back into the pit after every cycle and the pump short-cycles itself to death.
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It must be clear of ice, and it must dump well away from your foundation — at least 2 metres, ideally further, and never toward a neighbour's yard. A discharge that empties beside the foundation just recycles the same water back into your pit.
7. Listen to it
Grinding, rattling or a new hum under load means the motor or impeller is going.
8. Check the age
Most residential sump pumps last 7–10 years. If yours is at that age and you do not know its history, replace it before the melt rather than during it.
9. Consider a battery backup
Winnipeg spring storms bring both heavy water and power outages, frequently together. A backup system runs the pump when the grid is down — the single most valuable upgrade for a finished basement.
Signs you need a professional now
The pump runs constantly even in dry weather. It does not run at all when the pit fills. It trips the breaker. The pit fills faster than the pump can empty it. There is a burning smell. Or water is appearing on the floor while the pump appears to be working — which often means the discharge line is blocked or frozen.
When to call a pro
If any of the signs above apply, or if your pump is approaching the end of its service life, call us before the melt. We serve Winnipeg, Selkirk, Steinbach, and everywhere within 100 km. Call +1 (204) 399-4413.
Learn more about our plumbing services in Winnipeg — including what's included, how it works, and how to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I test my sump pump?
Every three months, and always before spring melt. Pour a bucket of water into the pit slowly until the float rises — the pump should start promptly, empty the pit, and shut off cleanly.
Should the sump discharge into my floor drain?
In most jurisdictions that is not permitted, because it puts groundwater into the sanitary sewer and contributes to the surcharging that backs sewage into basements. Discharge outside, away from the foundation.
Do I need two sump pumps?
For a finished basement in a high-water-table area — St. Norbert, riverside Selkirk, parts of East and West St. Paul — a primary plus a battery backup is a sound investment. Winnipeg spring storms bring both heavy water and power outages, frequently together.
When should I replace my sump pump rather than repair it?
Most residential sump pumps last 7–10 years. If yours is at that age and you do not know its history, replace it before the melt rather than during it. The cost of a new pump is far less than a flooded finished basement.
Need a Drain or Sewer Specialist?
Pro Drain Cleaning Limited serves Winnipeg, Selkirk, Steinbach, and everywhere within 100 km — 24/7, with upfront pricing before we start.
Call +1 (204) 399-4413 — 24/7