Cleaning Around Your Sump Pump
Sump pumps are found in the vast majority of finished Ontario basements — the combination of the province's clay soil, high water tables in many areas (particularly in the GTA, Hamilton, and southern Ontario communities built on former lake-bed land), and the significant spring thaw runoff makes basement water intrusion a pervasive issue that sump pumps manage. The area around a sump pump is often the most neglected cleaning zone in an Ontario home.
What Accumulates Around Sump Pumps
- Sediment and mud: Water passing through the sump pit carries sediment — over time this accumulates in and around the pit
- Mould and mildew: The consistently damp environment around a sump pit supports mould on nearby concrete, drywall, or storage items
- Mineral deposits: Hard Ontario groundwater leaves calcium deposits on the pump housing and discharge pipe
- Musty odour: The accumulated moisture and organic matter creates basement odour that spreads throughout the home
Cleaning Approach
The sump pit itself (the hole the pump sits in) should be inspected annually and cleaned when sediment has accumulated to more than 1 inch. Pump the pit dry (the pump will handle most of this), remove remaining sediment with a shop vacuum, and rinse. The surrounding concrete floor can be scrubbed with a stiff brush and a diluted bleach solution for mould treatment. Ensure discharge pipe connections are clear and the pit cover is properly seated.
When to Call a Plumber
Sump pump maintenance (testing the pump annually, verifying float operation, checking backup power) is plumbing work — not cleaning. Annual inspection by a plumber is appropriate for any sump pump system older than 5–7 years.