Catch basin cleaning in Toronto keeps commercial lots from flooding and keeps sediment, oil and grit out of the storm system. Our hydrovac vacuum truck extracts everything that settles in the sump, from winter sand to oily sludge, and you get depth readings, photos and disposal notes for your records.
Why Do Catch Basins Need Regular Cleaning?
A catch basin has a sump below the outlet pipe. Its job is to catch sand, grit, leaves and debris before water flows into the storm sewer. In Toronto, winter sanding and salting fill those sumps quickly. Once the sump is full, sediment flows straight into the pipe, high levels of total suspended solids reach local waterways, and during a heavy rain the basin backs up and floods the lot or loading area.
Oil is the other problem. Parking lots, loading docks and gas stations shed oil and fuel that collect in basins and separators. Left alone, it is a pollution risk and an odour problem, and it matters under Toronto Municipal Code 681.
What Is Included in Catch Basin Cleaning?
- Sediment extraction from catch basin sumps with our hydrovac
- Oil and sludge removal from basins and oil and grit separators
- Sump depth measurement before and after
- Grate and frame inspection with notes on damage or settlement
- Proper disposal and documentation
How Do Catch Basin Programs Work?
Contract and pricing table
| Program | What it suits | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Single call-out | Backed-up or overflowing basin | Written quote |
| Annual spring program | Plazas, offices, condo lots | Per-basin rate |
| Semi-annual program | Loading yards, gas stations, garages | Fixed per-visit rate, 12 months |
COI delivery in 24 hours
Property managers and facility teams receive a COI with $2M liability and their company named as additional insured within one business day, with WSIB clearance attached.
Hydrovac wastewater containment (Toronto Municipal Code 681)
Our hydrovac truck is the same equipment our sister brand, Hydrovac Toronto, uses for hydro excavation. It pulls sediment and water out of the sump without stirring it into the outlet pipe, and the load is disposed of properly. When we wash the surrounding lot, those basins are covered and runoff is recovered, so they stay clean.
When Should Catch Basins Be Cleaned?
- Every spring, after salt and sand season ends
- Before fall rains, on sites with heavy leaf fall
- When water ponds around a grate after rain
- After a spill of oil, fuel or hydraulic fluid on the lot
How Much Does Catch Basin Cleaning Cost?
Pricing depends on the number of basins, sump depth, how much sediment has built up and disposal volume. We quote per basin or per site in writing after an inventory, and annual programs lock the rate for 12 months.
Common Catch Basin Problems We Solve
Ponding around grates after rain
When water sits around a grate for hours after a storm, the sump is usually full or the outlet is partly blocked. Extraction restores flow.
Sand and grit from winter maintenance
Commercial lots get sanded and salted all winter. By April, many sumps are half full of grit. A spring program clears them before heavy rain.
Oily sheen and odour
Lots, loading docks and gas stations send oil into basins. It floats on the water in the sump and can smell in warm weather. The hydrovac removes it along with the sediment.
Leaves and litter in fall
Sites with mature trees fill basins with leaves in October and November. A fall visit prevents winter backups.
Missing or damaged grates and frames
During each visit we check grates and frames for cracks, settlement or missing bars and note them for your maintenance team.
Why Vacuum Extraction Beats Flushing
Flushing a catch basin with a hose just pushes sediment into the outlet pipe and the storm sewer, which is exactly what the basin is supposed to prevent. Vacuum extraction removes the material from the system entirely. Our hydrovac lowers a hose into the sump, pulls out water, sediment and oil, and rinses the walls so nothing is left to wash downstream.
What to Expect During a Site Program
- We map every basin, separator and trench drain on the site.
- Each basin is opened, measured and photographed.
- The hydrovac extracts sediment, water and oil, and the walls are rinsed.
- Depth is measured again and the grate replaced.
- You receive a report listing each basin, before and after depth, photos and disposal notes.
Most plazas and office sites are finished in a single visit, often early morning or overnight to avoid parked cars.
Catch Basin Cleaning Across the GTA
Our GTA power and pressure washing crews service catch basins along the QEW and 427 industrial corridor in Etobicoke, in the Concord industrial zone in Vaughan, and at plazas, condos and industrial sites across Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton. Pair basin cleaning with parking lot power washing, parking garage cleaning for sump pits, or oil spill cleanup when a spill reaches a drain. It is all part of our commercial power washing program.
