Catch Basin Cleaning Services in Toronto & the GTA

Vacuum pumping, sediment and debris removal, storm drain flushing and scheduled catch basin maintenance for parking lots, condominiums, underground garages, commercial sites and homes.

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Catch Basin Pumping, Vacuum Cleaning and Flow Restoration

Catch basins collect rainwater and snowmelt while trapping sand, leaves, road salt and sediment before it reaches the storm line. As the chamber fills, it holds less and drains slower, and water starts to pool around parking areas, driveways, loading zones and underground garages. POM Plumbing cleans catch basins on private property across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

Cleaning means emptying the chamber, not just clearing the grate. On each visit we pump or vacuum out the standing water, sludge and sediment, clean the grate and confirm that water runs freely to the outlet. If the connected storm line is restricted, we flush it in the same visit so the basin and pipe work together again.

How a Catch Basin Works

A catch basin is a stormwater inlet with a grate on top and a chamber below. Water flows through the grate, heavy material settles at the bottom of the chamber (the sump), and the water leaves through an outlet pipe to the storm sewer. Once sediment rises to the outlet level, it washes into the pipe and blocks the line further downstream. According to the City of Toronto’s Sewers By-law page, only rain and melted snow should enter catch basins, which drain directly to rivers, streams and the Lake.

Catch Basin Services We Provide

Catch Basin Vacuum Cleaning and Pumping

We remove standing water, sludge, sand, leaves and debris from the chamber, then clean the grate and accessible surfaces.

Storm Drain Flushing

When the outlet or connected line is restricted, we flush the storm drain so the basin can empty again. See our drain cleaning services.

Parking Lot and Plaza Catch Basins

Plazas, retail lots and office parking collect sand, salt and litter all year. Regular cleaning prevents ponding and ice where people walk and drive.

Underground Garage Drains

Underground garages need low-clearance equipment, coordinated access and careful scheduling. We clean garage catch basins and trench drains and can combine the visit with garage power washing.

Camera Inspection and Repairs

If water still drains slowly after cleaning, a drain camera inspection shows whether the outlet line is blocked, cracked or collapsed. We recommend drain repair or sewer repair only where the camera shows it is needed.

Signs Your Catch Basin Needs Cleaning

water pooling around the grate after rain or snowmelt;
slow drainage or water overflowing from the basin;
leaves, mud, sand or garbage visible in the grate or chamber;
odours from decomposing material;
repeated flooding in a parking lot, driveway or garage.

Our Catch Basin Cleaning Process

Site check. We look at the grate, chamber, access and sediment level and confirm the number of basins.
Set-up. We secure the work area and plan around traffic, tenants and garage clearance.
Pumping and debris removal. Standing water, sludge, sand, leaves and garbage are removed from the chamber.
Grate and chamber cleaning. The grate and accessible internal surfaces are cleaned.
Outlet check and flushing. We check flow to the outlet and flush the connected storm drain when it is restricted.
Disposal and report. Collected material is removed from the site, and we tell you about any damage that needs repair.

Book Catch Basin Cleaning

Why Regular Catch Basin Maintenance Matters

Less ponding and flooding: an empty chamber has room for heavy rain and spring melt, keeping water away from entrances, loading areas and garage ramps.
Fewer ice and slip hazards: water that drains away cannot freeze on walkways and parking lots.
Longer-lasting pavement: water that sits on asphalt and concrete works into cracks and joints.
Cleaner storm sewers: sediment removed from the chamber does not travel to Toronto’s rivers and the Lake.

Private Property Catch Basins and Municipal Catch Basins in Toronto, Ontario

POM Plumbing provides catch basin cleaning for systems located on private property, including parking lots, driveways, condominium grounds and underground garages. Property owners are responsible for operating and maintaining the drainage system on their property.

Catch basins on public roads and sidewalks are maintained through the City of Toronto. Blocked public catch basins, damaged grates or roadway ponding should be reported to 311. Only rainwater and melted snow should enter a storm catch basin; spills or contaminated liquids require the applicable reporting procedure.

Where cleaning or inspection identifies a damaged private outlet, drain line or connection, a separate drain repair service may be required after the basin and connected line are cleared.

What Should Never Go Into a Catch Basin

Storm catch basins are designed for rain and melted snow only. Water from a catch basin is not treated before it reaches local waterways, so anything poured into the grate ends up in the environment. Based on the City of Toronto’s guidance on what not to pour down the drain, keep these out of catch basins:

motor oil, antifreeze and other car and garage products;
paint, pesticides and household cleaning products;
fats, oils and cooking grease;
wash water from cleaning equipment or surfaces;
garbage, leaves and yard waste swept from the lot.

If a spill reaches a catch basin or sewer, report it to 311 immediately — the City’s spill reporting rules also require businesses to submit a written report within five days.

Catch Basin Cleaning for Commercial, Condo and Residential Properties

POM Plumbing provides commercial catch basin cleaning for parking lots, plazas, retail and office properties, industrial sites, condominium grounds, apartment buildings and underground garages. Residential service can cover private driveway drains and catch basins located within the property drainage system.

Commercial and condominium projects may require low-clearance equipment, traffic control, after-hours access, multiple basins, service logs and coordination with property managers or building staff.

Commercial Properties and Plazas

Parking lots, plazas, retail and office properties, and industrial sites can be scheduled after hours or in sections, so customers and deliveries can keep using the site. See also our commercial plumbing services.

Condominiums and Underground Garages

We coordinate access with property managers, notify residents when needed and use low-clearance equipment for underground levels. Learn more about our high- and low-rise plumbing services.

Residential Driveways and Yards

Many homes have a driveway catch basin or a yard drain connected to the property’s drainage system. We clean the basin and check the connected line, and can recommend backwater valve or weeping tile work when water also enters the basement.

Have a question? Give us a call, we’re here to help

Related Drain & Sewer Services

Preventive Catch Basin Maintenance

Preventive maintenance keeps the chamber from filling up between storms. The right interval depends on traffic, nearby trees, winter salt and sand, construction activity and basin size, so we set it after the first inspection and adjust it based on how quickly material returns.

Recommended Catch Basin Maintenance Schedule

As a starting point:

Property type	Typical maintenance approach	What increases the need for cleaning
Residential driveway or yard basin	Inspection and cleaning as needed, often once a year	Nearby trees, gravel or soil washing onto the driveway
Condominium grounds and underground garages	Scheduled cleaning, often before spring rainfall and after leaf fall	Winter salt and sand tracked in by vehicles
Retail plazas and office parking lots	Scheduled cleaning plus inspection after winter	High traffic, litter, winter sand
Industrial and loading areas	More frequent inspection based on site conditions	Heavy vehicles, sediment from operations, construction nearby

Set Up a Maintenance Schedule

Seasonal Catch Basin Care in Toronto

Spring. Melting snow carries a winter’s worth of sand, salt residue and litter into catch basins. Spring is the most important time to clean them before heavy rain arrives.
Summer. Summer storms can drop a lot of water in a short time. Clear grates and chambers let the water leave paved areas quickly instead of pooling at entrances and ramps.
Fall. Leaves are the main source of blocked grates in autumn. Cleaning after leaf fall prepares the site for winter.
Winter. Clogged basins cause water to pool and freeze on walkways and parking lots. Keep grates clear of snow piles where possible and call us if water stops draining during a thaw.

Catch Basin vs French Drain vs Floor Drain

	Catch basin	French drain	Floor drain
Where	At low points of paved or landscaped areas	Underground trench along a wall, yard or foundation	Inside basements, garages, laundry and mechanical rooms
What it collects	Surface runoff from rain and melted snow	Groundwater and water soaking through soil	Water on the floor inside the building
How it works	Grate and chamber trap debris; outlet carries water to the storm system	Perforated pipe in gravel carries water away	Drain connected to the building’s drainage system
Maintenance	Pumping out sediment and clearing the grate	Flushing or camera inspection if water stops draining	Drain cleaning when slow or blocked

What Affects Catch Basin Cleaning Cost?

The price depends mainly on how many basins there are and how much work each one needs:

number, size and depth of the basins;
how much sludge, sand and debris has built up;
access — surface lots versus low-clearance underground garages;
whether the connected storm drain needs flushing or a camera inspection;
after-hours work or traffic control on busy sites;
disposal of the collected material.

After reviewing the site, we give you a written estimate with the number of basins and the work included. Cleaning several basins in one visit usually lowers the cost per basin.

Get a Free Estimate

Emergency Catch Basin Cleaning

Water rising around a blocked catch basin can reach building entrances, garage ramps and electrical rooms quickly. If a basin is overflowing or a parking lot is flooding, call (905) 625-8777 and describe the situation — we will tell you what to do right away and when a crew can be on site. See also our emergency plumbing service.

Catch Basin Cleaning Across Toronto and the GTA

We clean catch basins in Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Brampton, Oakville and across the Greater Toronto Area.

Why Property Managers Choose POM

FULLY LICENCED
AND INSURED

Licensed and insured for work on private drainage systems — parking lots, plazas, condominium grounds, underground garages and homes.
WRITTEN ESTIMATE
BEFORE WORK

We review the site and confirm the number of basins, the work included and the price in writing before the crew starts.
SCHEDULED AROUND
YOUR SITE

After-hours or section-by-section cleaning for plazas and garages, coordinated with property managers and building staff.
24/7 EMERGENCY
RESPONSE

If a basin overflows or a lot is flooding, call (905) 625-8777 any time and we will advise on immediate steps and dispatch a crew.

Catch Basin Cleaning FAQ

What is catch basin cleaning?

Catch basin cleaning removes the sediment, sludge, leaves and debris that collect in the chamber below the grate. We pump or vacuum the chamber, clean the grate and check that water flows freely to the outlet.
How often should a catch basin be cleaned?

It depends on traffic, nearby trees, winter salt and sand, construction activity and the size of the basin. Many properties schedule cleaning before spring rainfall and after leaf fall; we set the interval after the first inspection.
What happens if a catch basin is clogged?

Water pools around the grate, can overflow onto paved areas and freeze in winter. Sediment can also be carried into the outlet pipe and block the line further downstream.
Who is responsible for catch basins in Toronto?

Property owners are responsible for catch basins on their private property, such as parking lots, driveways, condominium grounds and underground garages. Catch basins on public roads and sidewalks are maintained by the City of Toronto, and problems with them should be reported to 311.
Can I clean a catch basin myself?

You can keep the grate clear of leaves and litter. Pumping out the chamber, flushing the outlet and disposing of the collected material safely requires professional equipment, which is why most property owners schedule professional cleaning.
How much does catch basin cleaning cost?

The cost depends on the number and size of basins, the amount of material, access and clearance, the equipment needed, connected-line work and disposal. We provide an estimate after reviewing the site.
What should never go into a catch basin?

Only rain and melted snow should enter a storm catch basin. Oil, antifreeze, paint, cleaning products, grease and other contaminants must never be poured into it, and spills should be reported to 311 right away.
Do you clean catch basins in underground garages and parking lots?

Yes. We clean catch basins and drains in parking lots, plazas, condominium grounds and underground garages, using low-clearance equipment where needed and scheduling around access requirements.
What is the difference between a catch basin and a French drain?

A catch basin collects surface runoff through a grate and traps debris in a chamber. A French drain is an underground trench with a perforated pipe that collects groundwater from the soil.
Do you provide emergency catch basin cleaning?

Yes. If a basin is overflowing or a lot is flooding, call (905) 625-8777. We will advise you on immediate steps and tell you when a crew can be on site.