Sump Pump Checks Before Spring Melt in Newmarket
GTA Plumber Match · Updated October 2026
Most Newmarket basements that flood in spring don't flood because of a big storm. They flood because a sump pump that sat dry all winter didn't start when the snow melted. Testing it takes ten minutes.
The 10-minute test
- Make sure the pump is plugged into a working outlet. If it's on a GFCI outlet, press reset.
- Pour a bucket of water slowly into the pit until the float rises.
- The pump should start, empty the pit and shut off on its own.
- Go outside and check water is coming out of the discharge pipe, away from the foundation.
Warning signs
- The pump hums but doesn't move water: often a jammed impeller or a failed motor.
- It runs and runs: stuck float, or a failed check valve letting water fall back in.
- Rust, a burnt smell, or it's older than about ten years.
Why Newmarket gets hit
Streets close to the East Holland River and newer subdivisions in Stonehaven, Woodland Hill and north of Davis Drive often have a high water table in March and April. Frozen discharge lines are another problem. If the outside pipe is iced over, water has nowhere to go.
Worth asking about
If your basement is finished, ask about a battery backup pump. Ice storms and spring storms take the power out at the same time the pit is filling.
If the test fails, text us a photo of the pit and your postal code (L3X or L3Y). We'll match you with a licensed, insured local plumber, usually for a same-day visit, with an upfront flat price before any work.