Sump Pump Installation in Markham, ON | OCM Excavation

OCM Excavation installs sump pump systems for homeowners across Markham, ON. Unionville, Berczy Village, Cathedraltown, Box Grove, and Cornell are all neighbourhoods where we field spring basement flooding calls year after year. A properly built sump system — pit, primary pump, battery backup, and a code-compliant discharge — keeps your Markham basement dry through the worst March thaw. Most projects run $2,200 to $5,500 depending on the backup pump and exterior trenching. Call 416-317-3090 for a free Markham site visit.

How a Sump System Works

Four parts, working together. Groundwater enters a perforated polyethylene pit set flush into your basement floor, fed by your weeping tile and any below-slab drainage. When water hits a set level the float fires the pump. The pump pushes water up through a check valve and out a PVC discharge line at least 10 feet from your foundation. Skip the check valve and water falls back into the pit every time the pump shuts off — that’s a short-cycling pump on the way to early failure.

The Four Components We Install

Sump pit: 18-24 gallon perforated polyethylene basin, set flush in the slab on clean gravel.
Primary pump: 1/3 to 1/2 hp submersible cast-iron pump, 30-50 gallons per minute.
Battery backup pump: 12V DC pump on a deep-cycle marine battery — 8-12 hours runtime through a power outage.
Discharge line: 1.5″-2″ PVC routed 10+ feet from the foundation to a splash block, swale, or storm sewer per City of Markham drainage rules.

Spring Flooding in Unionville and Berczy

Older Unionville homes and the early-2000s Berczy Village subdivisions see consistent springtime basement flood claims. The water table sits high through March and April, and weeping tile on 25+ year old homes is often partially clogged with silt or root intrusion. We see the same pattern every year: an older 1/3 hp pump that handled normal loads finally gives up during the first big rain event, the basement takes on water before the homeowner notices, and the finished basement is destroyed. A working primary plus battery backup prevents the whole scenario. Call 416-317-3090 if your Markham basement has flooded before — we’ll quote a full system replacement.

When Markham Homeowners Call Us

Spring thaw water came through the basement floor or cold cellar.
Existing pump is 10+ years old or has visible rust.
Pre-sale inspection flagged a failed pump or no battery backup.
Just had waterproofing done and need a pit for interior drainage.
Insurance company is requiring battery backup before renewing the policy.

How the Install Runs

Site assessment first. We check the existing pit (if any), where water is entering, and where the discharge line can safely terminate. If we’re cutting a new pit, we score the slab with a concrete saw, break out 30-36 inches, bed the new pit in clean gravel, and patch the slab flush. The pump, check valve, and discharge are plumbed and the system is wired to a dedicated circuit. For exterior discharge trenching across Markham lots we run our Yanmar SV40 mini excavator — quick and clean.

Timeline and Cost

Pump and backup install in an existing Markham pit: 1 day, $2,200-$3,200. New pit cut into existing slab with primary + battery backup: 1-2 days, $3,500-$4,500. Pit, pumps, and exterior discharge trenching combined: 2-4 days, $4,500-$5,500. Fixed written quote before we start.

Related Services in Markham

A sump system is one piece. Pair the pump with foundation waterproofing in Markham and a proper French drain so water never reaches the pit at flood volume. Window well installation handles surface water at basement openings. Looking elsewhere? Check our sump pump service in Richmond Hill or all OCM service areas across the GTA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a sump pump in Markham?

Replacing a pump in an existing pit generally does not require a permit in Markham. Cutting a new pit into the slab or running a new exterior discharge line tied to municipal storm infrastructure can require one. We check with the City before starting work.

Why do Unionville basements flood so often?

Older Unionville homes typically have 25+ year old weeping tile that’s partially clogged with silt or root intrusion. When the spring thaw arrives, the system can’t keep up and water hits the slab. The fix is a combination of a working sump system, weeping tile renewal, and exterior waterproofing where needed.

Where can the discharge line go?

To surface drainage — splash block, swale, or rear yard — and sometimes the storm sewer where Markham allows the connection. Sanitary sewer discharge is prohibited. We confirm the right termination for your property before plumbing.

How long does a sump pump last in Markham?

A quality cast-iron submersible pump lasts roughly 10 years. Older Markham homes with restricted weeping tile burn pumps out faster because the motor cycles constantly. Backup batteries should be replaced every 5 years to maintain runtime.

Get a Quote

Call OCM Excavation at 416-317-3090 or fill out the Markham quote form. Free assessment, fixed price, work guaranteed.

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