Sump Pump Installation in Toronto, ON | OCM Excavation

OCM Excavation installs and replaces basement sump pump systems across Toronto, ON. A finished basement is only as dry as the pump in the corner. We build complete systems from scratch — sump pit, primary submersible pump, battery backup, and an exterior PVC discharge line that meets Toronto’s foundation drainage rules. Most projects run $2,200 to $5,500 depending on whether you need a backup pump and how far the discharge line has to travel. Call 416-317-3090 for a Toronto site visit.

What a Sump Pump System Actually Is

A proper sump system isn’t just a pump in a hole. It’s four parts working together. Groundwater enters the sump pit through perforations connected to your weeping tile and below-slab drainage. When the water hits a set level, a float switch fires the pump, which pushes water up through a check valve and out a PVC line away from the foundation. The check valve stops water from falling back into the pit when the pump shuts off — without it, the pump short-cycles itself to death within a year.

The Four Components We Install

Sump pit: 18-24 gallon polyethylene basin set flush into the concrete floor, perforated walls so water enters from weeping tile and sub-slab drainage.
Primary pump: 1/3 to 1/2 hp submersible cast-iron pump, moving 30-50 gallons per minute through a vertical discharge.
Battery backup pump: 12V DC pump tied to a sealed deep-cycle marine battery. Runs 8-12 hours on a single charge — long enough to cover most Toronto power outages during a storm.
Discharge line: 1.5″ or 2″ PVC carrying water at least 10 feet from the foundation, terminating at a splash block, swale, or storm-sewer connection where the City permits it.

Toronto’s Sanitary Sewer Rule

The City of Toronto runs a Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program that pays homeowners to disconnect sump and downspout discharge from the sanitary sewer. We’ve done dozens of these conversions across Toronto neighbourhoods from Etobicoke to Scarborough. Sump discharge in Toronto has to go to surface drainage or, in some cases, the storm sewer — never the sanitary side. When you call 416-317-3090, we’ll tell you whether your house qualifies for the subsidy and how to claim it after the work is done.

When Toronto Homeowners Call Us

Basement floor cracks weep during heavy rain — usually March and November in Toronto.
Existing pump is 10+ years old. Submersible pumps have a roughly 10-year service life.
A buyer inspection flagged a failed or absent pump before closing.
You just had foundation waterproofing done and need an interior drain to a working pit.
The pump is running constantly — usually a sign the weeping tile or pit is undersized.

Our Process

Site visit first. We map the existing drainage, check the panel for a dedicated circuit, and figure out where the discharge line will run. If we’re cutting a new pit, we score the slab with a concrete saw, break out the old concrete, and excavate down 30-36 inches. The pit gets set in clean gravel, the pump and float are dropped in, the check valve and discharge line are plumbed, and the slab is patched flush. For exterior discharge runs longer than 15 feet, we bring in our Yanmar SV40 mini excavator to trench through the yard without tearing up your lawn.

Timeline and Cost

Interior pump replacement using the existing pit: 1 day. New pit cut into an existing slab with full primary + backup pump install: 1-2 days. Combined with weeping tile or a French drain: 2-4 days. Pricing in Toronto generally lands in the $2,200-$3,200 range for a straightforward replacement, $3,500-$4,500 for a new pit with battery backup, and $4,500-$5,500 when we’re trenching a long exterior discharge through clay.

Related Services in Toronto

Sump pumps work best as part of a complete water management system. Pair the pump with foundation waterproofing in Toronto, a proper French drain or perimeter drainage, and window well installation so groundwater never gets past your foundation in the first place. Need the same work in a neighbouring city? See our sump pump service in North York or browse all OCM service areas across the GTA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a sump pump replacement in Toronto?

For a like-for-like pump swap in an existing pit, no permit is generally required in Toronto. If we’re cutting a new pit into your slab or running a new exterior discharge line, you may need a plumbing or drainage permit. We confirm with Toronto Building before we start work.

How long does a sump pump last?

A quality submersible cast-iron pump lasts about 10 years under normal Toronto basement conditions. Pumps that cycle constantly because of inadequate drainage will fail sooner — sometimes in 3-5 years. Battery backup batteries should be replaced every 5 years.

Why do I need a battery backup if I have a primary pump?

Power outages in Toronto usually happen during the same storms that flood basements. A primary pump without backup is useless when the grid drops. A 12V DC backup pump on a deep-cycle marine battery will keep your basement dry for 8-12 hours of pumping during an outage.

Where does the water actually go?

Out a PVC discharge line at least 10 feet from the foundation, terminating at a splash block, a swale, or — where the City of Toronto permits — the storm sewer. Discharge into the sanitary sewer is prohibited under Toronto’s Foundation Drainage Disconnect rules.

Get a Quote

Call OCM Excavation at 416-317-3090 for a free on-site assessment, or use our Toronto quote form. We’ll give you a fixed-price written quote before any work starts.

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