Basement & flood work
Sump Pump Installation in Burlington
A sump pump gathers groundwater from the weeping tile and pumps it outdoors so it never seeps up through the slab.
- Pumps, pits and backwater valves
- Float and alarm tested in front of you
- Floor patched after the dig
- Storm-season checks on request
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Signs it is time for sump pump installation
New installations usually follow one of a few situations: a basement that takes on water in spring thaw or heavy rain, a renovation that will finish a previously damp lower level, a foundation drain that has no outlet, or an existing pit with a pump too small or too old for the job. Buyers of older homes also ask us to add one after an inspection flags dampness or efflorescence on block walls.
What's included
- Concrete saw and jackhammer for the floor
- Submersible pump and check valves
- ABS fittings and solvent cement
- Water alarm and float test kit
Our method on site
- Choose the location. The low corner nearest the weeping tile, with room for a discharge route outdoors.
- Break the floor. Cut the slab, dig the pit and connect it to the perimeter drainage where that exists.
- Set the liner and pump. A sealed liner with a lid keeps debris out and reduces humidity.
- Run the discharge. Rigid pipe with a check valve, exiting far from the walls, and never into the sanitary sewer.
- Test. We fill the pit, watch the float cycle and confirm water leaves the yard properly.
Tell-tale signs
- Pump cycling constantly or not at all
- Water seeping up at the floor drain in heavy rain
- Damp walls near the pit or a sewage smell
- A past flood with no backwater valve installed
What affects the scope
Floor thickness, whether weeping tile exists and where it runs, distance to an exterior wall, and finished surfaces all shape the work. A dedicated electrical outlet near the pit is needed; if one is not present, a licensed electrician may be required. Many owners pair a new pump with a battery backup so a power cut during a storm does not leave the basement exposed.
Discharge matters: connecting a sump to the sanitary drain is not permitted in most Ontario municipalities, and it overloads city sewers during storms. We route outdoors to grade or an approved storm connection.
Job at a glance
- Work
- Sump Pump Installation
- Trade
- Basement & flood work
- Where
- Burlington and nearby
- Book
- (365) 464-5184
Burlington homes and this job
The August 2014 storm put water into thousands of Burlington basements, and many households have since added pumps and backwater valves. Clay soils in parts of the city drain slowly, so groundwater lingers against foundations after a soaking rain. The City of Burlington and Halton Region have offered flood-protection subsidies at various times; our subsidy guide explains what to check before you book. Planning a basement bathroom at the same time? It is easier to break the floor once.
Noise is another consideration people rarely ask about until afterward. A pump in a finished rec room cycles audibly during wet weeks, so we discuss quieter check valves, rubber couplings and pit placement before the floor is cut. Where a basement has two low corners, we may suggest checking both before choosing, because water follows the tile, not the floor plan.
Questions to ask
- Where will the discharge exit, and will it freeze in winter?
- Is a backup pump worth adding now?
- Do I qualify for any current subsidy, and does it require a permit?
How the visit runs
- 1
Trace the weeping tile, floor drain and lateral layout.
- 2
Open the floor where the pit or valve needs to sit.
- 3
Set the pump or valve, glue up the piping and test with water.
- 4
Patch the slab with fresh concrete and show you how the alarm sounds.
Questions we hear
Does every Burlington basement need a sump pump?
No. Many homes with good drainage and no groundwater issues never need one. It depends on how your foundation drains are connected and how wet the site gets.
How long does a sump pump last?
Typical pumps last several years to a decade, depending on how often they run. Testing each spring helps catch a tired motor early.
Can the discharge go into the floor drain?
No. The floor drain leads to the sanitary sewer, and sending groundwater there is generally not allowed.