Order summary
- Turn the outdoor taps back on and watch inside for leaks.
- Test the sump pump before the big rains.
- Point downspouts away from the foundation.
- Flush the water heater and check its relief valve pipe.
- Top up the floor drain trap.
Numbered steps
- Hose bibs. Close each outside tap, open its interior shut-off, then turn the tap on with a hose attached. Go inside and check the wall behind it for drips. A split from winter shows up now.
- Sump pump. Lift the lid, pour a pail of water in, and see the float lift, the motor kick on and the water level drop. Listen for the check valve closing. Clear debris from the pit.
- Discharge outlet. Outside, make sure the sump discharge is not blocked by ice, leaves or soil, and that it drains away from the house.
- Downspouts and grading. Extend downspouts onto the lawn, roughly two metres out from the foundation. Look for soil that has settled toward the foundation over winter.
- Floor drain. Tip a pail of water into the basement floor drain to refill the trap and block sewer gas.
- Backwater valve. If you have one, open the access cap and confirm the flap swings easily and the chamber is clean.
- Water heater. Drain a few litres from the bottom valve, or do a full flush. Check that the relief valve pipe is intact and ends near the floor.
- Under the sinks. Open every cabinet and look for drips, stains or swollen particleboard.
Plumber's tip: If the sump pump hums but does not pump, or the float sticks, fix it before the next storm rather than after. Call (365) 517-5705 to book.
Errors we see on site
- Opening the outside tap and walking away without checking inside.
- Letting downspouts drain into old underground connections that may lead to the sewer.
- Assuming the sump works because it ran last fall.
- Storing boxes on top of the floor drain or sump lid.
- Skipping the water heater because it seems fine.
When the desk should come out
Call when an outdoor faucet drips inside the wall, when the sump pump fails the test, when the backwater valve is stuck or full of debris, or when the floor drain smells even after refilling. Bib repairs are covered under outdoor faucet repair. When the leaves come down, follow up with the fall plumbing checklist.
Every service we offer is on the specialties page.
Keep a simple log
Write the date of each check on a card taped near the sump or the water heater. Next spring, you will know at a glance what was done and when. Over a few years, that log also shows patterns, such as a sump that runs longer each spring or a heater that drains more grit every year.
Quick checklist
- Open hose bibs and check for splits
- Test the sump pump
- Check downspouts point away from the house
Your questions on this one
When should I do the spring plumbing check?
Once overnight temperatures stay above freezing, usually around April in North York. Do the sump test before the heaviest spring rain if possible.
What if my backwater valve is full of debris?
Clean it carefully following the manufacturer's instructions, or have a plumber do it. Never leave the cap loose afterward.