Quick Answer: Repair a sump pump when the motor is sound and a single part has failed, such as a stuck float switch, a bad check valve or a blocked inlet. Replace it when the motor hums but does not pump, runs hot, trips the breaker, or simply cannot keep up with the water coming in. In Toronto, a replacement pump and alarm can qualify for up to $2,250 back from the City, plus up to $300 for a battery backup, when the work is done by a City-licensed contractor.
Most homeowners only think about their sump pump when it is running nonstop in a storm, or when it goes quiet and the pit starts to fill. Either way the question is the same: can this pump be fixed, or is it time for a new one? Here is how we answer it on a service call.
How a Sump Pump Fails
A sump pump system is more than the pump. It is the pit, the pump and motor, a float switch that turns it on and off, a check valve that stops pumped water falling back into the pit, and the discharge pipe that carries the water outside. Any one of those can fail, and the fix depends on which one it is.
The common failures we see in Toronto basements:
- Stuck or tangled float switch. The float catches on the pit wall or the power cord and the pump never turns on, or never turns off.
- Failed check valve. Water drains back into the pit after every cycle, so the pump runs far more often than it should.
- Blocked inlet screen. Silt, gravel and debris from the weeping tile clog the intake, and the pump runs without moving much water.
- Frozen or blocked discharge line. In winter, an exterior discharge pipe can freeze shut. The pump runs against a closed line and overheats.
- Worn motor or bearings. The pump hums, rattles or runs hot, and it moves less water than it used to.
- No power. A tripped breaker, a failed GFCI outlet, or a power cut during a storm, which is exactly when you need the pump.
Signs Your Sump Pump Can Be Repaired
A repair makes sense when the pump itself is healthy and something around it has failed. Good signs for a repair:
- The motor starts and runs smoothly when the float is lifted by hand
- The pump empties the pit at a normal pace once it is running
- The problem is a part we can see: a float, a check valve, a clogged screen or a cracked section of discharge pipe
- The pump has been serviced before and has no history of burning out
A float switch, a check valve or a short run of discharge pipe is usually a straightforward repair, and it can add years to a pump that is otherwise in good shape. We test the system with water before and after the repair so you can see it cycle properly.
Signs Your Sump Pump Needs Replacing
Replacement is the better choice when the problem is the pump itself, or when the pump is not up to the job:
- The motor hums but the pump does not move water. That usually means a failed impeller or a seized motor.
- The pump trips the breaker or runs hot. A motor drawing too much current is close to the end.
- It runs constantly and still cannot keep up. If the check valve and discharge are fine, the pump is undersized or worn out.
- Rust, cracks or a damaged housing. Corrosion on a cast iron pump or a cracked plastic body is not worth repairing.
- It has failed before. A pump that has already burned out and been revived is not one to rely on through spring melt.
- Nobody knows how old it is. If the pump came with the house and has never been serviced, a replacement is often the safer choice before the wet season, especially if your basement is finished.
There is no single age at which every pump should be replaced. A pump in a dry pit that runs a few times a year wears very differently from one in a pit fed by a high water table that cycles every few minutes in April. How often your pump runs tells us more than the date on the motor.
Repair or Replace: How We Help You Decide
On a service call we lift the float and run the pump through several full cycles with water. We check the current the motor draws, the check valve, the inlet, the discharge line outside and the outlet and breaker it runs on. Then we tell you clearly which part has failed and whether the pump is worth keeping, with a price for each option before any work starts.
If a repair will do the job, we will say so. If the pump is worn, undersized for your pit, or has been revived before, we will explain why a replacement is the better value, especially with the City subsidy in the picture.
How the City of Toronto Subsidy Applies to Sump Pump Replacement
Toronto's Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program covers replacement as well as first-time installation. According to the City, the sump pump subsidy covers up to 80 per cent of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $2,250 for one device, including the pump and an alarm. A battery backup qualifies for an additional subsidy of up to 80 per cent of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $300.
These expanded amounts apply to eligible work completed on or after November 12, 2025. A few conditions matter on a replacement:
- The contractor must hold a valid City of Toronto business licence at the time of the work, or the claim is denied.
- The invoice must itemize each component separately when a battery backup is installed.
- You need the original electronic invoice and photos of the pump and discharge pipe for the application.
We are a licensed City of Toronto contractor, we itemize every sump pump invoice the way the City requires, and we take the photos you need. Our sump pump installation and repair page explains the claim step by step, and our Toronto basement flooding subsidy guide covers every eligible item.
Should You Add a Battery Backup and Alarm?
The storms that fill a sump pit are often the same storms that knock out the power. A battery backup runs a second pump when the main pump loses power or cannot keep up, and an alarm warns you when the water in the pit rises higher than it should.
If you are replacing a pump anyway, it is the cheapest time to add both, because the pit is already open and the plumber is already there. The City subsidy covers both the alarm and the battery backup.
If your basement flooding comes from sewage backing up through a floor drain rather than groundwater, a sump pump will not stop it. That is what a backwater valve does. Our guide to sump pumps vs backwater valves explains the difference, and our backwater valve installation service covers that side.
Get Your Sump Pump Checked Before Spring
The worst time to find out your sump pump has failed is during spring melt or a heavy rain. A check in late fall or winter gives you time to repair or replace it at a normal pace, and to get the subsidy paperwork right.
Our licensed and insured team repairs and replaces sump pumps across Toronto, from Bloor West Village and Etobicoke to East York, North York and The Beaches. We offer same-day appointments Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm. Learn more about our sump pump repair and replacement service, or call (416) 769-8800 to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my sump pump run when it is not raining? A pump that runs in dry weather is usually dealing with a high water table, or water draining back into the pit through a failed check valve. A stuck float switch can also keep it running. Each one has a different fix, so it is worth having it checked.
Can I replace a sump pump myself? Swapping a pump can look simple, but to claim the City of Toronto subsidy the work has to be done by a contractor with a valid City business licence, with an itemized invoice. A plumber will also check the check valve, discharge line and electrical outlet, which are often the real cause of the problem.
Does the Toronto subsidy cover replacing an old sump pump? Yes. The City's program covers installation or replacement of a sump pump and an alarm, up to 80 per cent of the invoiced cost to a maximum of $2,250, plus up to $300 for a battery backup. Eligibility conditions apply, including the contractor licence requirement.
What is the difference between sump pump repair and replacement cost? A repair replaces one part, such as a float switch or check valve, so it is usually the smaller job. A replacement includes the new pump and often a new check valve and alarm, but a large share of it can come back through the City subsidy. We give you a price for each option before starting.
