Keep your basement protected from water buildup with reliable sump pump installation that helps manage groundwater, prevent flooding, and safeguard your Toronto & Ontario property.
A sump pump manages groundwater before it reaches your living space, and that single job is what every Toronto sump pump installation is built around. Water from the soil around your foundation, often collected by weeping tile or a French drain, drains into a sump pit set into the basement floor. As the water level rises, a float switch inside the pit lifts and triggers the pump, which pushes that water through a discharge pipe and away from the foundation.
Homes with a sump pump tied into a French drain system get an extra layer of protection, since the two systems move water away before it pools near the foundation walls. The system only works as well as its weakest part. A pit that is too shallow, a float switch that sticks, or a discharge pipe that empties too close to the house can all undo the protection the pump is meant to provide. These are the faults we are most often called to fix — usually after the first flood rather than before it.
Sump Pump Installation Services
We provide full sump pump installation services for homes throughout Toronto and the surrounding area, covering everything from a first-time install to emergency swaps:
New sump pump installation in finished and unfinished basements, including pit excavation and discharge pipe setup.
Sump pump replacement for units that are old, undersized, or no longer keeping up with basement water.
Battery backup system installation for homes that lose power during storms.
Discharge pipe and check valve work, so groundwater leaves the pit and stays away from the foundation.
A properly installed and maintained system is one of the most reliable ways to prevent basement flooding, especially when paired with the right drainage setup around your foundation waterproofing. Every project starts with an on-site assessment, a straightforward quote, and installation completed by a licensed team, not a subcontractor working off someone else’s plan.
New Sump Pump Installation
If your basement has never had a sump pump, we start by choosing the pit location where groundwater collects, then excavate the pit, set the basin on a gravel base, connect the discharge pipe and check valve and run the pump on its own circuit. Homes with interior drainage or a French drain are connected so the collected water flows straight into the pit.
Replacing a Pump in an Existing Pit
When the pit is in good condition and correctly sized, a replacement is quick: we remove the old unit, install a new pump matched to the water volume, replace a worn check valve and test the full cycle. If the pit is too small or damaged, we enlarge or rebuild it at the same visit.
Sump Pumps for Finished Basements
In a finished basement, noise and access matter. A submersible pump sits under water inside a sealed basin, so it runs quietly, and the pit cover is placed where it can be reached for maintenance without opening walls or flooring.
Related Basement Waterproofing Services
EXTERIOR
Exterior waterproofing is one of most efficient and reliable ways to perform waterproofing of your property.
Signs You Need Sump Pump Installation or Replacement in Toronto, Ontario
Frequent On/Off Cycling. The pit is often too small for the volume of groundwater coming in. This short-cycling wears down the motor fast and usually points to a replacement rather than a repair.
The Pump Runs Continuously. The pump is either undersized for the water it is handling or struggling against a blocked discharge pipe. Left alone, continuous running burns out the motor early.
Unusual Noises. Grinding, rattling, or a loud hum usually means a worn bearing, a jammed impeller, or a loose part inside the housing.
The Pump Does Not Turn On. A power outage, a jammed float switch, or a unit that has reached the end of its service life can all leave the pump silent right when it is needed. If yours has already gone quiet, our guide on what to do when a sump pump stops working walks through what to check before calling for service.
Water Remains in the Basement. Damp floors or standing water after a cycle means the system is not keeping pace. That is the time to call a sump pump installer.
Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Toronto Home
The right type depends on your basement, noise tolerance, and whether the priority is a primary pump or backup protection:
Type
Noise Level
Best For
Power Source
Submersible
Quiet
Finished basements
Electric
Pedestal
Louder
Unfinished basements, easy servicing
Electric
Battery backup
Quiet
Backup during a power outage
Battery
Water-powered
Silent
Secondary backup, no battery maintenance
Municipal water pressure
Pump capacity. Horsepower needs to match the water volume, not just the pit size. A ⅓ HP pump covers most sump pumps in Toronto homes, larger properties often need more.
Pit and discharge. Pit depth, existing drainage condition, and where the discharge pipe empties all affect which pump fits your property.
Sump Pump Service and Repair in Toronto
Not every problem means a new pump. A service visit starts with finding out why the system is failing — then we repair what can be repaired and replace only what has reached the end of its life.
Problem
Likely cause
What we do
Pump turns on and off too often
Pit too small for the volume of groundwater
Enlarge the pit and basin, or replace a worn pump
Pump runs non-stop
Undersized pump or a blocked discharge pipe
Clear the discharge line or install a correctly sized pump
Grinding, rattling or loud humming
Worn bearing, jammed impeller or loose parts
Clean and repair, or replace the pump
Pump does not start
Power failure, stuck float switch or a pump at the end of its life
Restore power, free or replace the switch, replace the pump if needed
Water stays in the basement
System not keeping pace with the water
Assess drainage, pump capacity and backup protection
Pump runs but water does not leave in winter
Frozen discharge pipe
Thaw the line and add a freeze-protection fitting
Sump Pump Repair
Most repairs involve the float switch, a clogged intake, the check valve or the discharge line. We test the full cycle after every repair, so you know the pump will start when water rises.
Sump Pump Replacement
Sump pumps typically last 7 to 10 years. If your pump is older, short-cycling, noisy or undersized for the water it handles, a replacement is usually more reliable than another repair. We install the new pump in your existing pit or rebuild the pit if it is too small.
Battery Backup Installation and Upgrades
Storms and power outages often happen together. A battery backup or water-powered backup pump takes over when the main pump loses power or fails, and it can be added to most existing systems.
Our Sump Pump Installation Process in Toronto, ON
Site assessment. We inspect the basement, drainage, and soil grading to confirm pump type and pit location.
Pit excavation. We dig and size the sump pit to match the pump basin, with a gravel base for drainage.
Installation. Pump, basin, discharge pipe, and check valve go in together, connected to a dedicated circuit.
Testing. Full cycle tests confirm the float switch activates correctly before we leave.
If you want to see what each of these steps involves in more detail, our breakdown of how to install a sump pump covers the process step by step.
Regular sump pump maintenance in Toronto means testing the float switch each spring and fall, clearing debris from the sump pit once a year and checking the discharge pipe before winter.
A battery backup system should be tested regularly. A dead battery defeats the purpose during a power outage. For stronger flood protection, our sump pump service visits check the whole system, not just the pump.
Task
When
Why it matters
Test the float switch (pour water into the pit)
Spring and fall
Confirms the pump starts before heavy rain or snowmelt
Clear debris and silt from the pit
Once a year
Keeps the intake from clogging
Check the discharge pipe and its outlet
Before winter
Prevents freezing and water returning to the foundation
Test the battery backup
At every maintenance check
A dead battery offers no protection during an outage
Professional service visit
Once a year
Checks the pump, check valve, switch, discharge and backup together
Ontario Building Code (OBC) Compliance:
We install sump pump systems strictly according to provincial standards:
Pit Dimensions: Minimum 30 inches (0.76 m) deep and 24 inches (0.61 m) wide.
Cover: Airtight, gas-tight, and child-resistant cover to prevent radon entry.
Power: Connection to a dedicated electrical circuit (GFCI protected).
Where Your Sump Pump Should Discharge
A sump pump is only as good as the place its water ends up. If the discharge pipe empties next to the house, the same water soaks back into the soil and returns to the pit — the pump keeps cycling and the foundation stays wet.
The City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program advises that the sump pump should empty onto a permeable surface and that the discharge should be kept at least two metres from the foundation wall. When we install or service a pump, we check:
where the discharge pipe ends and how the ground is graded there;
that the outlet is far enough from the foundation and does not drain toward a neighbour’s property;
that the line is protected from freezing, with a freeze-protection fitting where needed;
that the check valve stops water from flowing back into the pit.
If your property collects more water than a discharge line can handle, a French drain or exterior waterproofing may be part of the solution.
Licensed and Insured Sump Pump Installers
Fully licensed
Installation by our own team, not a subcontractor.
Transparent process
A free on-site assessment and a written quote before work starts.
Insured
Your home and our crew are protected throughout the job.
Affordable
Installation with help claiming the City subsidy.
How Much Does Sump Pump Installation Cost in Toronto?
In Toronto, professional sump pump installation typically costs from $1,500, including the pump and installation. The final price depends on:
Pump type: submersible, pedestal, battery backup, or water-powered.
New install versus sump pump replacement into an existing pit.
Excavation and drainage work required.
Basement layout and access.
Eligible Toronto homeowners can recover up to 80% of the cost through the City subsidy — up to $2,250 for a sump pump and up to $300 for a battery backup (see below).
If you are comparing sump pump installation price options, our sump pump cost breakdown covers pricing by pump type and installation scope, and we provide a free on-site assessment and a written quote with no hidden fees.
Toronto Sump Pump Subsidy: How Much You Can Get Back
The City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program covers up to 80% of the invoiced cost of flood protection work, with up to $6,650 per property. The expanded amounts apply to eligible work completed on or after November 12, 2025.
Eligible work
Maximum City subsidy (80% of the cost, up to)
Sump pump (one device)
$2,250
Sump pump battery backup
$300
Backwater valve (per device, up to two)
$1,600
Weeping tile severance and capping
$400
Home plumbing assessment
$500
Each type of work has a lifetime maximum per property. Source: City of Toronto.
Who Can Apply
Registered owners of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in Toronto can apply. The downspouts on the property must be disconnected, there must be no outstanding City taxes or debts, and the application has to be submitted within two years of the installation.
What You Need for the Application
original electronic invoices from the contractor, with an itemized cost breakdown, the completion date and a “paid in full” total;
the battery backup listed as a separate line on the invoice;
photos of the installed sump pump and of the exterior discharge pipe;
a contractor with a valid City of Toronto business licence at the time of installation.
We itemize our quotes and invoices the way the City requires and tell you which photos to take before the work area is closed.
Planning to claim the subsidy? Ask us before work begins.
Homeowners often ask whether one device replaces the other. It does not — they protect against two different sources of water:
Sump pump
Backwater valve
Protects against
Groundwater collected by weeping tile or interior drainage
Sewage flowing back from the municipal sewer
How it works
Pumps water out of the pit and away from the foundation
Closes automatically when the sewer backs up
Needs power
Yes (battery or water-powered backup for outages)
No
City subsidy (max)
$2,250 + $300 for battery backup
$1,600 per valve, up to two
Many Toronto homes benefit from both. Learn more about backwater valve installation. Other ways to reduce the risk are proper grading around the foundation and clean eavestroughs and downspouts that direct water away from the house.
Why Choose Leaquida for Sump Pump Installation and Service?
Licensed and insured technicians with direct experience in Toronto basements and soil conditions.
Professional sump pump installation backed by more than a decade of wet basement solutions across the GTA.
Experienced sump pump installers, not general contractors.
Transparent, itemized quotes with no surprise charges.
Reliable follow-up support after installation.
As trusted local sump pump installers, we are often the team homeowners call after a competitor’s installation has already failed once.
Can I install a sump pump myself, or should I hire a professional?
While it's possible for a knowledgeable homeowner to install a sump pump, professional installation is recommended to ensure proper placement, operation, and compliance with local codes.
How often should my sump pump be replaced or serviced?
Sump pumps typically have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Annual maintenance is recommended to ensure the pump is functioning correctly and to extend its service life.
What should I do if my sump pump stops working?
Check for common issues like power failure, a stuck switch, or a clogged intake. If simple troubleshooting doesn't resolve the problem, contact a professional for repair or replacement.
How do I choose the right sump pump size for my home?
The size of the sump pump you need depends on the size of your basement or crawlspace, the average rainfall in your area, and the water table level. A professional can assess your specific needs and recommend the appropriate pump size.
What is the average sump pump installation cost in Toronto?
Professional sump pump installation in Toronto typically costs $1,500 to $3,500, including the pump and installation. The price depends on the pump type, whether a new pit is needed, the drainage work and whether you add a battery backup. Eligible homeowners can recover up to 80% of the cost through the City subsidy.
Does the City of Toronto offer rebates for sump pump installation?
Yes. Through the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, the City covers up to 80% of the cost, to a maximum of $2,250 for a sump pump and $300 for a battery backup, for eligible work completed on or after November 12, 2025. We itemize the invoice the way the City requires for the application.
What happens to my sump pump during a power outage?
Without a backup system, the pump stops working, which is exactly when many basements flood during storms. That is why we recommend a battery backup or a water-powered backup pump for every home that relies on a sump pump.
How long does sump pump installation take?
A standard sump pump or battery backup installation typically takes between 2 and 4 hours. More complex jobs involving a new pit excavation or extensive pipe modifications can take half a day.
Is a sump pump necessary if I have interior waterproofing?
Yes. Interior drainage systems (like French drains) collect water, but they need a "destination." A sump pump is the heart of that system, actively pumping the collected water out of your home.
What happens if the discharge pipe freezes in winter?
If the pipe freezes, the pump will run but water won't escape, leading to motor burnout and basement flooding. We install "IceGuard" or similar freeze-protection fittings that allow water to escape even if the main line is blocked by ice.
Reviews about us
Quick, professional and at very reasonable cost. No hidden costs. The installation was complicated as the municipal sewage backed up when the pipe was cut, but the team did not complain despite working in harsh conditions.
Lev, Whitby
Leaquida Waterproofing was prompt, courteous and thorough. We would recommend to anyone. We had a backwater valve installed. I called Sunday, got a quote Monday, has the work done the following Monday (including issuing of building permit).
Trisha Grant
They have installed sump pump system in our house. They were very much on time and during the installation they have worked very clean.
You may rely on their advises.
Highly recommended.
