A sump pump is easy to ignore until the night it isn't. When heavy rain or spring melt pushes groundwater against your foundation, the pump is the only thing between your basement and a flood. If yours is making strange noises, running constantly or not running at all, it needs attention now — not after the next storm.
We repair sump pumps across Markham, from the newer subdivisions of Cornell and Wismer to older homes in Unionville and Thornhill where foundations see more groundwater. Most repairs are straightforward: floats, switches, check valves and discharge lines. When the pump itself is worn out, we'll tell you honestly and quote a replacement.
Sump Pump Repair Around Markham
Markham sits on clay-heavy soil that holds water against foundations, and spring melt plus summer storms keep sump pumps busy. Homes in lower-lying pockets and near the Rouge River tributaries work their pumps hardest — if your pump cycles constantly during wet weeks, it's doing its job but wearing fast, and a mid-season check is worthwhile.
Power outages during storms are the classic failure scenario here. If your pump is fine but your street loses power during heavy weather, the repair conversation is really a backup conversation — and we'd rather have it before the storm than during it.
Signs You Need Sump Pump Repair
Your sump pump is telling you something when you notice:
- The pump doesn't turn on. Pour a bucket of water into the pit. If the pump doesn't start, the float, switch or motor has failed — and your basement is unprotected right now.
- It runs but the water level doesn't drop. A failed check valve, clogged intake or disconnected discharge line lets water recirculate instead of leaving.
- Constant running. A pump that never stops is fighting a stuck float, a failed check valve or more water than it can handle. It will burn out.
- Strange noises. Grinding, rattling or loud humming points to a worn bearing, jammed impeller or a motor on its way out.
- Visible rust or corrosion. Corroded pumps and fittings fail without warning. Rust on the pump body or discharge pipe is an early warning.
- The pump is more than seven years old. Sump pumps wear out. An aging pump that still works is worth testing before storm season, not during it.
How We Do It
- 1
Test the system
We run the pump with water and watch the whole cycle: float movement, switch points, discharge and check valve operation.
- 2
Diagnose the failure
We identify the actual failed component — float, switch, check valve, impeller or motor — rather than guessing.
- 3
Quote the repair
You get a clear price before work begins, plus an honest repair-versus-replace comparison if the pump is old.
- 4
Repair and clean the pit
The failed component is repaired or replaced, and sediment is cleared from the pit so the fix lasts.
- 5
Test the full cycle again
We verify the pump starts, pumps and shuts off correctly, and that the discharge line carries water away from the foundation.
- 6
Review your backup protection
If your basement is finished or your risk is high, we'll discuss battery backup options honestly — no pressure.
Why Choose Markham Plumbing
A sump pump repair has to hold on the worst night of the year. We test like it matters.
- Full-system diagnosis, not just the obvious part
- Clear repair-versus-replace advice with pricing for both
- Pit cleaning included so the repair lasts
- Discharge line checked all the way to where water exits
- 24/7 response when a pump fails during a storm
- Honest advice on backup systems for finished basements
Sump Pump Repair FAQs
How do I test my sump pump myself?
Slowly pour a bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise, the pump should start, the water level should drop and the pump should shut off. If any step fails, call for service. Do this twice a year — before spring melt and before fall storms.
Why does my sump pump run when it hasn't rained?
A high water table, a stuck float or a failed check valve that lets discharged water flow back into the pit are the usual causes. A pump cycling constantly will wear out quickly, so it's worth having checked.
Can a sump pump be repaired, or does it always need replacing?
Many failures are external to the pump: floats, switches and check valves are all replaceable parts. If the motor or impeller has failed on an older pump, replacement is usually the better value. We'll show you the comparison.
What happens to my sump pump in a power outage?
It stops — and storms that knock out power are exactly when you need it. A battery backup system keeps a pump running through outages and is strongly worth considering if your basement is finished.
How long do sump pumps last?
Typically seven to ten years depending on how hard they work. A pump in a wet area that runs often wears faster than one that rarely cycles. Age alone is a reason to test, not necessarily to replace.