Your home may very well be the single biggest investment you ever make, and while there are countless ways to protect it, installing and maintaining a sump pump should be near the top of the list.
After all, water is one of the most destructive forces, capable of causing thousands of dollars in damage to your home’s structure, fixtures, and belongings in a short amount of time. That’s where a sump pump comes in – it acts as a crucial line of defence, keeping your basement dry and reducing the risk of costly repairs.
But what exactly does a sump pump do? Is it required? And how does home insurance factor in? You’ll find the answers to all these questions and more below.
What sump pumps do
A sump pump is designed to prevent flooding in your home by collecting excess water in a hole in the ground (sump pit) and pumping it outside of your home. Once the water level in the pit reaches a certain height, the pump automatically turns on and begins expelling the water into a strategically selected drainage area, away from your foundation to help prevent structural damage.
Since they require a hole to be dug in the ground, sump pumps are usually located in the basement and look like a small, usually cylindrical, device with a motor and pump mechanism. Without one, excess water may accumulate in your basement, leading to water damage, mold growth, and structural damage. This is a risk all homeowners want to avoid, especially as storms become more frequent and intense, increasing the likelihood of flooding.
What sump pumps don’t do
While sump pumps are effective at managing minor flooding and excess water buildup, they are not a catch-all solution. Bear in mind that they are not designed to handle:
- Sewer backups: Sump pumps do not address sewage issues. For this, you need a backwater valve and sewer backup coverage.
- Extreme or catastrophic flooding: Against flash floods, prolonged heavy rainfall, and storm surges, a sump pump alone may not be enough. Additional flood prevention measures may be necessary.
- Plumbing leaks: Sump pumps address water entering from outside, not burst pipes or leaking plumbing within your home.
- Water outside the sump pit’s zone: Sump pumps can only remove water that reaches the pit; they cannot stop water from seeping in through other areas beyond their reach.
- Power outages: Since most sump pumps rely on electricity, they likely won’t work if the power goes out during a storm.
Do all houses have a sump pump?
No, not all houses have sump pumps, nor is it mandatory to have one. However, you should always refer to your provincial and municipal building codes and regulations, as they may have specific requirements based on your location.
For example, as of 2017, the Ontario Building Code requires sump pumps, meaning that most houses built in Ontario since then have them. Homes built before the 1980s may also have sump pumps, though, at that time, groundwater would often drain directly into the sanitary sewer, a practice that is now illegal.
Does having a sump pump lower insurance?
Since a sump pump is designed to prevent minor flooding and the subsequent damage it can cause to your home, insurance providers may offer incentives for having or installing one. In fact, the Insurance Bureau of Canada highlights that “installing loss prevention devices such as a sump pump can potentially provide additional protection and reduce your premiums.”
It is not, however, guaranteed to lower the cost of home insurance. Fortunately, there are plenty of other tactics you can use to get cheaper home insurance, such as bundling your home and car insurance policies.
Does insurance cover sump pumps?
Generally, home insurance doesn’t cover the cost of installing, maintaining, or repairing your sump pump. Like most other home appliances and systems, you are responsible for these costs, especially if the sump pump fails due to mechanical issues or lack of upkeep.
However, if your sump pump is damaged or destroyed in a covered event, such as in a house fire, home insurance may be able to help cover the cost to repair or replace it.
Also, bear in mind that if your sump pump fails or malfunctions and causes water damage to your home or belongings, standard home insurance typically won’t cover the damage. To be protected in such cases, you may need additional coverage, such as sewer backup coverage. Always confirm with your insurance provider whether sump pump damage is included and under what circumstances.
How to save money on installing a sump pump with subsidy programs
The cost of the sump pump unit itself is not the biggest expense, as you can typically purchase one from your local hardware store for between $100 and $800. The bulk of the cost comes from the installation, especially when considering the pump’s size, type, and the complexity of the installation.
For example, Homeguide reports that the average cost of purchasing and installing a sump pump ranges from $600 to $2,500, with labour fees typically accounting for $500 to $1,700 of that amount.
Fortunately, there are subsidies and grants for sump pumps available to homeowners through local municipalities across Canada. These programs can significantly reduce installation costs, sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Although they are relatively common across Ontario, it’s always worth searching “[Your City Name] sump pump subsidy” online or contacting your local municipality to check for available assistance.
- Montreal RénoPlex program
- Toronto basement flooding protection subsidy program
- Mississauga basement flood prevention rebate
- Ottawa residential protective plumbing program
- Hamilton protective plumbing program
- London basement flooding grant program
- Halton Region enhanced basement flooding prevention subsidy program
- St. Catherines flood alleviation program
- Windsor basement flooding protection subsidy program
- Winnipeg basement flooding protection subsidy program
- Charlottetown flood protection rebate program