Sump pumps · Basement water protection
Sump pump installation and replacement
Move collected water out of the sump before it reaches the basement floor. We assess the water source, basin, incoming volume, vertical lift and discharge line before installing, replacing or diagnosing the sump pump.
- 24/7 plumbing emergency response
- RBQ 5688-9025-01
- CMMTQ verifiable member
Pump not runningThe water rises, but the motor does not start.
Abnormal cyclingThe pump runs continuously or restarts every few moments.
Protection to planThe basin exists, but the equipment is missing, aging or inaccessible.
Identify the water before choosing the work
Overflowing sump, sewer backup or plumbing leak?
A sump pump manages water collected in a basin; it cannot correct every cause of a wet basement. The entry point and affected fixtures help distinguish a pumping problem from reverse wastewater flow or a leaking pipe.
The pump cannot keep up or will not start
The float may be stuck, power may be interrupted, the discharge line may be restricted or the pump may have failed. Never touch a plug or electrical device while standing on a wet floor.
Priority: remain in a dry area and limit damage without creating an electrical hazard.The problem may be a sewer backup
If water rises through a basement toilet, shower or floor drain and smells like sewage, stop using the plumbing. A sump pump does not replace the backwater valves required on the affected drainage branches.
Priority: reduce wastewater discharge and identify the backup path.A plumbing leak may be feeding the accumulation
A leaking water line, water heater, washing machine or fixture can release water faster than the basin receives it. The leak must be isolated and repaired—not simply pumped away.
Priority: shut off the water only if it can be done safely.A complete system—not only a pump
What our sump-pump service covers.
Reliable operation depends on the full system: basin, pump, float switch, discharge pipe, check valve, fittings and discharge point. The service scope is defined from the existing installation and the cause of the problem.
Sump pump installation
Installation of a submersible sump pump suited to an existing compliant basin and discharge line, with hydraulic connections and sufficient clearance for the float.
Sump pump replacement
Removal of worn or underperforming equipment, assessment of reusable connections and installation of the replacement pump included in the scope.
Sump pump repair and diagnosis
Investigation of a stuck float, failed check valve, obstructed discharge line, leaking connection or abnormal pumping cycle.
Sump pump inspection and maintenance
Visual inspection of the basin, start cycle, discharge, accessible deposits and signs of wear before high-risk seasons.
Actual pumping-capacity assessment
Motor horsepower alone does not select the right pump. Incoming water, vertical lift, pipe length and diameter, fittings and the discharge point all affect the flow available at the installation.
Alarm and backup options
Power-failure exposure, desired runtime and available space may justify a high-water alarm or compatible backup solution when that work is confirmed in the project scope.
Size the system for the water’s full route
From the sump basin to the discharge point.
A proper installation must start at the intended water level, move the expected volume and lift it to an authorized discharge point without creating excessive resistance for the pump.
Quebec’s RBQ states that contractors must verify the type of connection required by the municipality. Pump selection also considers the drainage system, collector, branch and losses created by the discharge route.
- 01
Determine what enters the basin
Foundation drainage, authorized surface water or another source: the origin and probable volume influence the appropriate configuration.
- 02
Inspect the basin and cover
Dimensions, cleanliness, required sealing, venting, access and float clearance are checked according to the installation’s purpose.
- 03
Calculate the discharge route
Vertical lift, pipe diameter and length, elbows, check valve and discharge point determine the work required from the pump.
- 04
Install or replace the equipment
The pump is positioned securely, piping is connected and the float can travel without striking the wall, pump or cables.
- 05
Test a complete operating cycle
The water rises, the pump starts, the basin empties, the check valve limits return flow and the pump stops at the intended level.
Two protections that are often confused
Sump pump or sewer backwater valve?
Both systems may help protect a basement, but they do not manage the same water or the same route. The correct recommendation begins with the symptom you actually observe.
Remove water collected in a basin
The pump starts as the rising water lifts its float and pushes the collected water through a discharge pipe toward the approved destination.
- Handles water that physically enters the sump
- Depends on power and an unrestricted float
- Must be selected for both flow and lift
Block wastewater travelling backward through a drain
The valve closes against reverse flow to protect fixtures connected to the applicable drainage branch. It does not empty a sump basin.
- Protects against wastewater flowing back
- Must remain accessible and maintained
- Does not replace a pump inside the basin
Residential and commercial plumbing service
Sump pumps in Laval, the North Shore and Montreal.
Service is available throughout covered areas of Laval, the principal North Shore communities and several Montreal boroughs. The address, building type, water source, basin condition, discharge route and urgency are confirmed before travel.
A home in Chomedey, Sainte-Rose, Vimont or Fabreville may combine foundation drainage, a retention basin, finished flooring and a hard-to-trace existing discharge line. Montreal plexes and older buildings may present different access constraints. In Terrebonne, Repentigny, Mascouche, Blainville and Saint-Eustache, discharge requirements must be checked for the municipality and project.
View all service areas →Accumulation, infiltration and sewer backup require different solutions.
The City of Laval groups its guidance on water accumulation, infiltration and sewer backups and publishes a separate diagram for configurations using a lift pump. These resources help identify the problem before private-side work is planned.
Read Laval’s official water guidance (French) ↗View Laval’s lift-pump diagram (French PDF) ↗
The basin, pump and municipal connection form one system.
The RBQ says the locally required connection must be verified before selecting a pump. Montreal’s English prevention guide also explains how a catch basin, pump, backwater valves and a possible battery system address different parts of basement-flood protection.
Read the RBQ sump-pump selection guidance (French) ↗Read Montreal’s basement-protection guide ↗
Before heavy rain and spring thaw
Five checks that reveal risk before the sump overflows.
A quiet pump is not necessarily a working pump—the basin may simply be dry. A planned inspection confirms the complete operating cycle and identifies weak points before a major inflow of water.
Starting level
The float should rise freely and start the pump before water reaches the top of the basin.
Cycle and sound
Hesitation, vibration, grinding or repeated short cycles should be investigated.
Water returning to the sump
A large volume falling back after shutoff may indicate a check-valve or piping problem.
Discharge line and outlet
Leaks, freezing, restrictions, loose fittings or a poorly located outlet can reduce effective pumping capacity.
Power outage
An alarm or backup system should be planned for the incoming flow, required runtime and consequences of overflow.
Verifiable trust
Basement protection from an identifiable business.
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Frequently asked questions
Understand the pump before the water rises.
If the floor is wet near an outlet, electrical panel or powered appliance, do not enter the water or handle the sump-pump plug.
24/7 PLUMBING EMERGENCY450-241-0488What does a sump pump do?
A sump pump removes water collected in a basin. As the water level rises and lifts the float switch, the pump starts and pushes water through a discharge pipe to the intended outlet. It only manages water that reaches that basin.
What is the difference between a sump and a retention basin?
The terms are often used loosely in everyday conversation. Quebec’s RBQ assigns them different definitions, uses, dimensions and requirements. The existing basin and everything connected to it must be identified before selecting a pump or modifying the installation.
How can I tell when my sump pump needs replacement?
Uncertain starting, new noises, excessive vibration, short cycling, continuous operation, visible corrosion or failure to lower the water level all warrant inspection. Actual condition and operating demands matter more than one universal age limit.
Why does my sump pump run continuously?
Incoming water may exceed the pump’s available capacity, the float may remain raised, the discharge line may be restricted or discharged water may be returning toward the foundation. Diagnosis must cover both the pump and its complete discharge route.
Why does the pump start and stop repeatedly?
Short cycling may be caused by a small basin, float setting, water falling back through a faulty check valve or high inflow. Repeated starting increases wear and should be assessed.
How do you select the correct sump-pump capacity?
Selection is not based on motor horsepower alone. Incoming flow, vertical lift, discharge-pipe length and diameter, fittings and the pump’s performance curve at the intended operating point must all be considered.
Do I need a battery-backup sump pump?
A battery backup may be appropriate when water continues entering during a power outage or when an overflow would cause substantial damage. Its pumping rate, runtime, maintenance and compatibility must match the actual risk; a battery cannot provide unlimited operation.
What does the check valve on the discharge pipe do?
It limits water in the discharge pipe from falling back into the basin after shutoff. This sump-pump check valve is part of the pumping system; it is not the same as the backwater valves installed on drainage branches to prevent a sewer backup.
Will a sump pump prevent a sewer backup?
No. It removes water that reaches its basin. Wastewater rising through a toilet, shower or floor drain involves the drainage network and appropriate backwater valves. Both systems may be present in one building without serving the same purpose.
Can I test the sump pump myself?
A visual check from a dry area may reveal a displaced cover, obstructed float or leaking connection. Never enter water near electricity, force the mechanism or pour anything into a basin if you do not understand its configuration. A professional inspection can test the complete cycle.
How much does sump pump installation cost?
Cost depends on the pump, required capacity, basin condition and dimensions, existing discharge line, vertical lift, outlet, fittings, access and backup options. Photos and an assessment help define the scope without advertising a misleading one-price-fits-all figure.
Do you provide sump-pump service in Laval, the North Shore and Montreal?
Yes, throughout covered areas. The address, building, water source, basin condition, discharge line, urgency and current availability are confirmed before travel.