Waywest Mechanical installs, replaces and repairs sump pumps in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. A sump pump collects groundwater and perimeter drain water in a pit below a basement or crawlspace and pumps it away before it can flood the space. Waywest's licensed plumbers size the pump, install check valves and discharge lines, and add high-water alarms and battery backup systems.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Why sump pumps matter on Vancouver Island
Most of the Island's rain arrives between October and March, often as long atmospheric-river systems that saturate the ground for days. Homes with basements, below-grade crawlspaces or high water tables depend on perimeter drains and a sump pump to move that water away from the foundation.
A sump system that fails in the middle of a storm can put inches of water into a basement in hours. The good news is that most failures are predictable and preventable.
Signs your sump pump needs attention
- The pump runs constantly, even in dry weather
- It cycles on and off every few seconds
- It hums but no water leaves the pit
- Water in the pit sits higher than normal
- Loud grinding, rattling or clanking
- Visible rust, or a float that sticks
- The pump is more than about ten years old
- Water has come into the basement despite the pump running
Sump pump services
New installations. A new pit, pump, check valve and discharge line for homes that need one, including basement finishing projects.
Replacement. Swapping a worn or failed pump for a correctly sized new one, usually completed in a single visit.
Repair. Floats, switches, check valves and discharge line problems.
Battery backup systems. A secondary pump that runs on a battery during power outages or if the primary pump fails.
High-water alarms. An audible or connected alarm that warns you before water reaches the floor.
Commercial and multi-unit sumps, including duplex pump systems for larger buildings.
Getting the installation right
Most sump pump failures we see are not the pump's fault. They come from:
- Undersizing — a pump that cannot keep up with peak inflow during a storm
- Missing or failed check valves, which let discharged water flow back into the pit and make the pump cycle constantly
- Discharge lines that freeze or clog, or that dump water right back beside the foundation
- Floats that jam against the side of a pit that is too small
- Pumps sharing a circuit with other equipment that trips the breaker
We size the pump for the inflow, give it a pit with room for the float to move freely, install a proper check valve, and route the discharge so the water does not come straight back.
Maintenance before the rainy season
Each fall, before the heavy rain starts:
- Clear debris out of the pit
- Test the pump with a bucket of water
- Check that the discharge line outlet is clear
- Test the battery backup and alarm
- Make sure the power cord and plug are in good condition
If you have a finished basement or anything valuable stored below grade, a professional check every couple of years is inexpensive insurance.
If your basement is flooding now
Stay out of standing water if there is any chance it is in contact with electrical outlets or equipment. If you can safely reach it, check the pump is plugged in and the breaker is on. Then call the 24/7 emergency line.
Service area
Waywest installs and repairs sump pumps in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Ladysmith, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Duncan, the Comox Valley and across our Vancouver Island service area.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
How long does a sump pump last?
Many sump pumps last around 7 to 10 years, though pumps that run frequently through long wet seasons can wear out sooner. A pump that is noisy, runs constantly, cycles on and off rapidly, or has visible rust is due for replacement.
How can I test my sump pump?
Before the rainy season, slowly pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The float should rise, the pump should start, empty the pit and shut off cleanly. If it does not start, hums without pumping, or keeps running after the pit is empty, have it checked.
Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
It is strongly recommended in homes that rely on a sump to stay dry. Island winter storms that bring the heaviest rain also bring power outages, which is exactly when a standard pump stops working. A battery backup pump takes over until power returns.
Where should a sump pump discharge?
Sump discharge must go where local rules allow — typically to the storm drainage system or a suitable area on the property away from the foundation, not into the sanitary sewer. Requirements vary by municipality, and Waywest routes the discharge to comply.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.