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Surface water management systems that prevent basement flooding by intercepting water before it reaches your foundation.
A trench drain is a linear channel set into a concrete surface — such as a garage floor, driveway, or basement slab — that intercepts water at ground level and routes it to a drainage outlet before it can flow toward your foundation. Unlike subsurface systems like weeping tile that manage groundwater below grade, trench drains handle surface water: snowmelt running into your garage, rainwater flowing down a sloped driveway, or water pooling at a threshold where your garage meets your basement.
In Toronto, trench drains are especially important for homes with attached garages that sit at or below the level of the basement floor. During spring snowmelt or heavy rainfall, water pours down the driveway and into the garage — and if there's no trench drain at the garage-to-basement transition, that water continues straight into your finished living space. We install more trench drains in March and April than any other time of year, immediately after the first major melt event reveals the problem.
Why Choose Us
The most common trench drain installation we perform in the GTA is across the garage entry threshold — a 12-to-16-foot channel embedded in the garage floor at the point where the driveway meets the garage slab. This single installation intercepts the majority of surface water before it can enter the garage and, by extension, the basement. The channel connects to a drain line that routes water to a sump pump, floor drain, or exterior discharge point.
We also install trench drains along basement walkout doors, at the base of window wells, across sloped driveway aprons, and along property boundaries where neighbouring runoff flows onto your lot. Each installation is custom-designed based on the water volume and flow patterns specific to your property. We use heavy-duty polymer or stainless steel channel bodies with grated covers rated for vehicle traffic where needed.
Don't Ignore the Signs
Proper trench drain installation requires precision in two areas: slope and connection. The channel must slope at a minimum of 1/8 inch per foot toward the outlet to ensure water flows reliably without pooling. We verify slope with a laser level during installation. The outlet connection must be properly sized — a garage threshold drain handling snowmelt from a two-car driveway needs a 4-inch drain line to handle peak flow volume, not the 2-inch pipe that DIY installations often use.
We cut the concrete with a diamond blade saw to create a precise channel, set the drain body in a concrete bed, and pour new concrete flush with the existing surface. The finished installation sits level with the surrounding floor with only the grate visible. The grate is removable for periodic cleaning of accumulated debris — we recommend clearing leaves and sediment twice annually, in spring after snowmelt and in fall after leaf drop.
Trench drain installation costs $2,500-$8,000 in Toronto depending on the length of the channel, the surface material being cut, and the complexity of the drain line routing. A standard garage threshold installation runs $2,500-$4,000 and completes in one to two days. Longer runs along driveways or property lines cost more due to the excavation and pipe work involved. Every installation includes a 5-year warranty on the channel, grate, and drain connections.
For homes with chronic driveway or garage flooding, a trench drain is often the most cost-effective solution available. It addresses the specific problem — surface water reaching your foundation — without the cost of full waterproofing systems. We frequently install trench drains as a complement to interior waterproofing: the trench drain handles surface water while the interior system manages groundwater, providing complete protection from both water sources.
Materials & Methods
Durable polymer drain body with pre-sloped bottom that eliminates the need for setting the channel on a slope — water flows to the outlet by design.
Heavy-duty stainless steel or ductile iron grate rated for vehicle traffic, removable for periodic cleaning of debris buildup.
Where trench drains connect to existing catch basins or sump pits, we use properly sized 4-inch drain lines with cleanout access for future maintenance.
Our Process
We evaluate water flow patterns, measure the installation area, and design the channel layout with proper slope and outlet routing.
A precise channel is cut into the existing concrete surface using a diamond blade saw, sized to the drain body specifications.
The drain channel is set in a concrete bed with laser-verified slope toward the outlet. Drain lines are connected to the sump pit, floor drain, or exterior discharge.
New concrete is poured flush with the existing surface and the removable grate is installed. The finished installation is level with the surrounding floor.
Client Reviews
“Outstanding job! My basement is finally dry thanks to your team. No more musty smell or moisture problems. A+ service!”
“From the initial appointment to final inspection, service was exceptional. Prompt, professional, and results exceeded expectations.”
“Professional and friendly staff. They solved our leaky basement in no time. The results were fantastic. Basement has been leak-free since the work was done.”
Experience & Expertise
Related Solutions
Complete interior drainage systems, sealants, and sump pumps to manage water that's already entering your basement.
Learn More →Reliable sump pump systems with battery backup to protect your basement from flooding and water damage.
Learn More →Effective subsurface drainage systems to redirect groundwater away from your foundation.
Learn More →Service Areas
We provide trench drain installation throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
Common Questions
