Room to operate
We consider pit volume, pump support and float clearance. The cover, any required seal and venting are also part of the installation.
Basement drainage and pumping
Sump Pump Installation, Replacement and Repair
Is the water rising in your sump pit, has the pump stopped starting, or are you planning a replacement? In Anjou and Montréal, Plomberie Anjou handles sump pump installation, replacement and repair based on the condition of the system and the building’s drainage needs.
Plomberie AnjouRBQ 5688-9025-01CMMTQ memberAnjou · Montréal · North Shore · South Shore
Start with what changed
Sump pump repair or replacement?
A malfunctioning pump does not reveal the cause by itself. A diagnosis helps distinguish a problem with the pump from a problem with its controls, discharge line or incoming water.
Tell us what the pump is doing, when the problem occurs and what work has already been done. Those details help us prepare for the visit.
- It will not start
- Power supply, float switch and pump condition are among the things to check. A silent pump does not automatically mean that the motor needs replacing.
- It runs continuously
- The amount of water entering the pit must be compared with the amount actually leaving. The controls and discharge line also need attention. Heavy inflow and poor discharge call for different solutions.
- It cycles too often
- Water flowing back after shutdown, float settings and usable pit volume can affect cycling. Replacing the pump without checking these factors may leave the problem unresolved.
- It vibrates or pumps poorly
- An unstable base, debris or a restricted discharge line may be involved. Sump pump repair depends on the fault found and the options allowed by the manufacturer.
If water is backing up through a toilet or floor drain, mention it when you call. A sewer backup service may be needed in addition to checking the sump.
From the pit to the discharge point
Sump pump installation: assess the whole system
A new installation and a replacement start with the same question: where must the water go, and under what conditions? We look at the existing pit, connections and discharge route before defining the work.
A pump sized for the site
The needed flow is compared with the manufacturer’s pump curve, allowing for vertical lift, pipe lengths, diameters and bends.
A workable outlet
The check valve, connections, maintenance access and discharge point are assessed. Any section exposed to freezing needs to be considered.
Cycles checked
After the work, testing covers startup, water discharge and shutdown. Alarms and backup equipment are checked when they are part of the system.
The RBQ’s sump pump selection guidance (in French) explains the factors involved and advises contractors to verify municipal connection requirements. Any required electrical work belongs to a contractor authorized for that work.
Plan for an outage
What if the power goes out during heavy rain?
If your basement relies on an electric pump to move water, consider a backup before an outage. Available space, the flow that must be maintained and the expected operating time all affect the choice.
A battery backup sump pump can refer to different arrangements. Clarify whether the project calls for a second pump or a compatible backup power supply for the main pump.
A battery-powered backup pump
A compatible unit can take over according to its activation method. Planning includes the charger, battery, float and connections while preserving access to the primary pump.
Runtime depends on the battery and its charge, the pumping height and how often the pump cycles.A high-water alarm
An alarm signals when water reaches an unusual level. It helps with monitoring, but it does not pump water out. Its power supply and any notifications should also work during an outage.
The limits of any backup must be clear. For a technical example, the manual for one battery backup system (PDF) describes its installation and operating conditions. The right setup depends on your equipment.
Anjou and the Montréal area
In Montréal, the discharge point is part of the project
An existing pipe does not necessarily have a suitable connection. In Anjou and elsewhere in Montréal, a project should consider foundation drainage, the catch basin and what happens when the sewer network is overloaded.
The City of Montréal explains catch basins with pumps and illustrates a diversion to the outside. This helps frame a project; applicable building requirements and any permits should be checked with the borough.
The sump pump and plumbing backwater valves serve different, complementary purposes. A sump pump alone does not protect every fixture from a sewer backup.
Define the work before the price
What does installation or replacement cost?
The price of a sump pump alone is not the cost of an installed system. Replacing a pump in an accessible pit, changing the discharge piping and building a complete system involve different scopes of work.
The equipment
Main pump, controls, check valve, alarm and backup assembly, where needed: ask what the proposed scope includes.
The existing setup
Pit access, any cleaning needed, reusable connections and the route of the discharge line all affect the work involved.
Related work
Changes to the pit, opening the floor, finishing or electrical work should have their scope stated separately when required.
To prepare your request, share your city, the symptom, access to the pit and the pump model if known. Photos taken from a dry, accessible area can help without dismantling anything. Describe the work you have in mind.
Before the pump is needed
Sump pump maintenance: keep access clear and plan checks
A pump hidden behind stored boxes is difficult to watch and maintain. Keep the cover, connections and controls accessible, then plan checks according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the way the system is used.
A submersible pump manual (PDF) illustrates typical inspection points and precautions. Always follow the documentation for your installed model.
- Watch for changesNote new noises, unusual cycling, alarms and times when the water level rises faster.
- Have the pit cleaned and checkedSediment and debris can interfere with the pump or float. Maintenance follows safe isolation of the system from power.
- Check the whole cycleA successful start does not prove the entire system works: discharge, shutdown, check valve, alarm and backup matter too.
Customer experiences
Read reviews of our plumbing services
Reviews published on our profiles offer a look at customers’ experiences. Read them to learn more about Plomberie Anjou before contacting us about your project.
RBQ 5688-9025-01CMMTQ member
Common questions
Preparing for a sump pump service visit
Should a pump be replaced at a certain age?
Age is useful history, but it does not settle the question. Operation, wear, parts availability and suitability for the building also matter. Sump pump replacement may be appropriate when a failure or insufficient capacity is confirmed.
Will a more powerful pump fix an overflowing pit?
Not necessarily. A blockage, float problem or unsuitable discharge point may limit water removal. Pump selection should reflect the manufacturer’s flow curve at the actual lift and the limits of the receiving system.
Is it normal for water to remain in the sump pit?
Some remaining water may be normal, depending on the pump’s set shutoff level. A level that rises unusually high, failure to start or a change in behaviour deserves a check. Consult the instructions for the installed model.
Does a sump pump replace a backwater valve?
No. A sump pump lifts water collected in a pit. A valve controls the direction of flow in a pipe. The check valve on the pump discharge and the backwater valves protecting plumbing fixtures have different locations and purposes.
Can the same pump serve a basement toilet?
A pump intended for drainage water should not be assumed to handle toilet wastewater. That requires suitable equipment and connections. Tell us which fixtures discharge into the pit before choosing or replacing a pump.
Do I need a permit for the work?
Requirements depend on the location and scope. Replacing a pump in an existing setup and rebuilding the pit or connections are different projects. Check with your borough or municipality before the work begins.
Tell us about your pump and the water it handles
A failure to diagnose, a pump to replace or a backup to plan? In Anjou, Montréal, the North Shore and the South Shore, describe your setup and what concerns you.