24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
Are you looking for a reliable way to keep your basement dry and protect your home from potential water damage? In Western Canada, homeowners often wonder how to keep the basement dry and protected from water damage. Sump pits and sump pumps are essential to accomplishing your dilemma.
Whether you’re dealing with a sewage sump pump or a storm sump pump, High Mark Plumbing has you covered! You can rest easy knowing your home is safeguarded against the wettest days.
A sump is a pit or basin that is commonly installed at the lowest part of your property whether it be your basement or just outside your home. It is a reservoir designed to collect and transport water away from home. By doing so, your home is protected from excessive water gathering that can cause extensive structural damage or become a breeding ground for mould.
Although it’s not a requirement to have a sump in your basement or outside your home, homeowners tend to overlook the importance of sumps. In regions of B.C. and Alberta, it is highly recommended to have a sump because of the heavy rainfall and high groundwater.
This type is a basin equipped with a device that helps pump water from the pit and away from your property. This pump is essential for homeowners who have property in low-lying areas or have a basement. Many models will have a battery backup that allows them to function during power outages which can be beneficial during heavy storms.
When there is a home on a floodplain such as southwestern BC, Richmond, Delta, Coquitlam, and Chilliwack, having a sump pump installed can help prevent potential water damage. Without one, homeowners may face several challenges including:
They are designed to transport wastewater from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms to the main sewer line or septic tank. Typically sewage sump pumps are located in the basement or other underground utility areas below the main sewer line. Because of sewage sump pumps, your home will prevent hazardous and unsanitary conditions.
These sump pumps are designed to transport excess clear water or greywater from the home’s drain tile. This water flows to drainage wells, dry wells, municipal storm drains, or natural outlets such as nearby streams or ponds. Similarly, storm sump pumps are located in the basement or the lowest location of the property to collect rainwater, heavy snow melt, or collection of moisture in high water table areas.
In other cases, some homeowners have both types of sump pumps on their property. If the property is located in an area that is at high risk for structural damage or flooding, it may be recommended to have both installed for safety measures.
Sewage sump pumps can get clogged by foreign objects such as flushable wipes, excessive paper, feminine hygiene products, and other large obstructions.
Storm sump pumps can get backed up by the collection of debris, silt, clay, and other natural elements.
When your sump pump is clogged, it will not operate properly. By scheduling your annual maintenance, our service experts will not only check all the necessary components but will also clean out your basin to ensure reliable operation.
When your sump basin or sump pump is overloaded after heavy rainfall or floods, your sump may have difficulty keeping up. Your basin will begin to overflow if it is clogged or from malfunctioning components.
Whether there is a power outage or a motor failure, your pump will stop working, leading to overflow. This is a clear indication that a repair service is required to safeguard your home from structural damage.
Typically, your sump pump will make a low humming sound while actively working. When you notice louder noises such as grinding or rattling, it is a clear sign to seek repairs.
When you hear grinding or rattling, it may be because of a worn-out impeller, motor problems, a vibrating pump, or debris buildup. To best protect your home from flooding or structural damage, it’s crucial to address your repairs promptly. Our service experts will get to the root cause and offer your solutions right away.
A faulty switch or float arm can cause your sump pump to cycle continuously. When you notice your pump keeps turning on and off or at irregular intervals, it is important to schedule your sump pump repairs promptly.
Oftentimes, rust and corrosion can negatively impact various plumbing fixtures, including your sump pump. When your pump has visible rust or corrosion, performance will decrease or lead to unexpected malfunctions.
Pump replacement is recommended around the 10-year mark since installation. Whether you’re noticing a visible crack in the sump basin or your pump is beginning to be less reliable, it may be time to consult with our service experts for solutions.
Scheduling annual maintenance to clean and inspect your system will help prevent emergencies. When you schedule your sump pump or sump pit maintenance, our service experts will ensure your sump is the appropriate size for your home. We are also happy to share helpful tips to protect your home from water damage.
At High Mark, we understand that we live in a rainy province and many homes are at risk of potential water damage or flooding. We highly recommend that homeowners protect their homes from structural damage by scheduling annual maintenance for sump pumps and sump pits. Here are some tasks completed during your service:
Our specialized service experts will be meticulous with their annual sump pump maintenance or sump maintenance to ensure that your home is safeguarded. Because storm systems cause power outages, it is recommended to have a backup generator or alternate battery to ensure that your sump pump continues to operate during those times.
Heavy rain or snow will not get in the way of your sump pump service. We have specialized equipment to help pump out excessive water from your sump basin. By using an external submersible pump, our service experts will successfully transport water out of the basin.
In addition, we are able to hydro-flush your sump to ensure that it is working flawlessly for the next rainfall. Whether your sump pump emergency is within working hours or after hours, our service experts are here to support you at all hours of the day.
The cost of your sump pump service will depend entirely upon what is required per job. At High Mark, we are a task-based company and we do not charge hourly. The costs reflected may depend on factors including:
We are more than happy to visit your home to evaluate the situation. From there our service expert will offer you options with solutions and up-front pricing before proceeding.
When you hear loud, audible noises coming from your sump pump, it may be concerning. As the weather shifts from sunny to heavy rain, it’s crucial for sump pumps to be in optimal condition to safeguard the home. Reasons for loud noises may occur for various reasons including:
Yes. When your sump pump is activated, you should hear a quiet humming sound. If you hear no noises at all when the sump pump should be triggered, that is a clear indication that a sump pump repair service is needed.
On average, a well-maintained sump pump should last up to 10 years.
To ensure your sump pump performs well for up to 10 years, scheduling annual maintenance for cleaning, replacing faulty components, and testing the operation is crucial.
In the situation where your sump pump overflows, here are some steps to prevent further damage to your home:
At High Mark, we offer 24-hour emergency plumbing services. We understand the importance of having a reliable sump pump. We’re here for you at all hours of the day. Don’t hesitate to contact us.
No, your sump pump shouldn’t be running continuously. If it is, here are some possible reasons why it’s running:
Anytime you have concerns about your sump pump, it’s essential to address them right away. By doing so, you can prevent extensive structural damage, costly repairs, or early replacement.
If you’re finding your sump pump is not draining effectively, it may be from various factors including:
To ensure you experience little to no structural damage, we highly recommend that homeowners address their sump pump problems promptly. We are here for you 24/7!
It is suggested that homes have a secondary pump for emergency purposes. After heavy rainfall or if your primary pump suddenly malfunctions, your secondary pump will trigger to start up. If you have noticed this occurring and have concerns about the operation of your primary pump, it’s recommended to schedule service.