Is a sump pump part of every interior drain system in Ottawa?

A sump pump is required by Ontario's Building Code only where gravity drainage is not practical (clause 9.14.5.2). Whether that condition applies depends on where your foundation sits relative to the storm sewer or a suitable discharge point, and a contractor has to assess that for your house.

An interior drain system collects water that enters at the base of the foundation walls and channels it to a collection point. If the lot and the storm connection allow the water to flow out by gravity, a pump is not required by the Code. Where gravity drainage is not practical, the Code requires an automatic sump pump, and the pit must be at least 750 mm deep, at least 0.25 m² in area, and covered with a lid that resists removal by children and is airtight.

A few things shape whether a pump ends up in the quote for your job:

• Whether a sump pit is already in place or a new one is part of the job.
• Where the drain channel discharges, and whether that outlet works by gravity.

Ask the contractor to explain in writing whether the quote includes a sump pit and pump, and if so, what the discharge point is and how it meets the Code. If a pump is included, ask whether it comes with battery backup and what the pit dimensions will be. If no pump is included, ask them to show you why gravity drainage is practical for your specific layout.

On the question of who does the plumbing connection, plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario, so ask whether a licensed plumber does or signs off the plumbing part of the installation.

You can use the request form on this page to have local contractors from the Ottawa Construction Network directory reach out with quotes. Ask the contractor, before signing, to walk you through exactly where the water goes after it leaves the drain channel, because that answer tells you whether a pump is genuinely needed or not.