Stormwater and Dry Well System Installation in the GTA
Professional Stormwater Management for Homes in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, and Surrounding Areas
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Stormwater Systems and Dry Well Installations in the GTA
Many municipalities across the GTA now require proper stormwater systems on new builds and on homes with active sump pumps or multiple downspouts. These systems prevent large volumes of water from entering city sewers, reduce water treatment costs, and protect properties and foundations from drainage problems.
GJ MacRae provides complete dry well installation and catch basin installation services that help you manage water safely on your property and stay aligned with local guidelines.
What Is a Dry Well and Catch Basin?
A dry well is an underground pit that collects water and allows it to naturally disperse into surrounding soil. It is commonly used to manage water from downspouts, sump pump discharge lines, French drains, and yard drainage systems.
A catch basin is a surface level drain that collects pooling water from lawns, driveways, side yards, and other low areas. Water from the basin is directed into a dry well or another drainage system.
Most homes use both together. The catch basin collects the water above ground and the dry well manages it underground. This prevents pooling, structural damage and pressure on the foundation, and keeps water away from the home.
Why Homes in the GTA Need Proper Drainage Systems
Municipalities across the GTA have introduced stronger stormwater management guidelines because excess roof runoff and sump pump discharge often overwhelm city sewers. Treating this additional water increases municipal costs and creates higher flood risks during major storms.
Improper drainage also affects homeowners directly. Pooling in the backyard, soft soil near the foundation, erosion, and winter ice buildup are all signs that a property needs a better drainage solution.
A Dry Well and Catch Basin System Provides Reliable Protection and Several Long Term Benefits:
- Moves water safely away from the home
- Reduces moisture around foundation walls
- Prevents standing water and soil erosion
- Improves yard usability and safety
- Reduces pressure on municipal sewer systems
- Helps homeowners stay aligned with local stormwater guidelines
- Provides a proper termination point for sump pumps and French drains
These systems are especially useful for homes with heavy runoff, active sump pumps, grading issues, or areas in the yard that consistently collect water.
Our Stormwater System Installation Process
01
On Site Assessment
We review the property, identify drainage issues, and find the ideal location for the system. Placement is chosen to keep water away from the home while allowing natural absorption into the soil.
02
Excavation
We excavate a 4 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft pit with sloping trenches and can adjust the dimensions depending on the drainage needs. Excavation is often completed by hand to protect landscaping and avoid utility lines.
03
Filter Cloth and Weeping Tile
The excavation is lined with filter cloth and a loop of weeping tile is installed at the base. This helps water disperse evenly throughout the dry well.
04
Gravel Installation
The pit is filled with clean gravel and the filter cloth is folded over the top to keep soil from entering the system.
05
Drainage Connections
We connect downspouts, sump pump discharge lines, French drains, or a backyard catch basin to the dry well. If the project requires additional strength we offer concrete catch basin installation for high traffic or heavy flow areas.
06
Backfill and Final Grading
The area is backfilled, leveled and covered with soil so it blends naturally into your yard.
These projects show real installations completed by GJ MacRae:
A Word from Our Customers
Posted on Gabhan Chalmers We had a difficult project requiring excavation, waterproofing, and installing a sump pump on a 130 year old house, and GJ MacRae did an amazing and very thorough job. They went above and beyond to repair the foundation that had started to deteriorate as well. Very professional and high quality work. I'd definitely recommend this company!Posted on Rob Fratric Great job. Fast response to inquiries, job done fast and professionally. Put everything around the area back in place to the point where you wouldn't even know any work was done afterwards. Would 100% recommend calling them if you have a foundation repair issue.Posted on Luke Chiasson Let's just say that there aren't many companies of this calibre around these days. We've been dealing with GJ MacRae for the last seven years for everything sump pump related. Seven years ago the fine folks at GJ MacRae came in and replaced our existing sump with a modern unit complete with a marine battery backup and secondary pump. We have a ton of ground water around here and when it rains our sump fires non stop. Everything has been perfect and when it came time to service our system seven years in, GJ MacRae was all over it. Exceptional service, communication price and product. It's rare to see all 3 these days. Thanks for everything Gavin.Posted on Jeff S Gavin of GJ MacRae and his team did an amazing, quick and clean installation of a sump pump in our basement! I was very impressed with every aspect, from communication, to timing, to the finished product! Absolutely would recommend them! Thanks Gavin!Posted on Dave Frei When you are doing a large scale project like ours (basement dig, under pin, beam replacement and waterproofing), you need an expert team like GJ MacRae. They have the experience and the know-how to give you peace of mind that the job is being done right the first time. Gavin and his team showed up on time every day with a plan and executed it with precision! These guys are the best in the business!Posted on The Impolite Canuck GJ MacRae did an amazing job on my cracked foundation. Highly recommend. Guys were professional, punctual, courteous, informative and left zero mess. They even fixed some rod leaks I discovered after the second deluge last August at no extra charge.Posted on Jayne Patterson RCC just finished waterproofing my north exterior underground wall on my house in Roncy Village. When I requested a quote, Rick Deagazio promptly came to the house to inspect the wall and explained the work in detail. The crew started work right on the day specified. They were great guys. They were fast, efficient and finished everything in 3 days. I highly recommend RCC.Posted on Peggy Smith Very happy with a recent job completed by GJ MacRae Foundation Repair at our home. The service was excellent, the owner and working crew were very courteous and knowledgeable about their trade. They completed the work on time and on budget and they did a great job! I would highly recommend this company for any foundation/basement you may have.Posted on Brian Klodt Used GJ MacRae for a foundation repair at our heritage house built circa 1894. The experience was positive from the quoting through 3 days execution of the work. Was done on time and on budget with a hard working crew who were experienced and left behind a strong and waterproof block wall. Gavin the owner was a pleasure to work with. Would use them again if ever needed.Posted on Lisa Kemp G J MacRae installed a sump pump in my house to help with a water problem in my basement. The workers were professional and knowledgeable and took care with the quality of their work. They did an excellent job. I’m very happy with the result and would recommend them.
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Need Dry Well or Catch Basin Installation in the GTA? Give Us a Call!
With over forty eight years of hands on experience, GJ MacRae provides professional exterior drainage and waterproofing services across Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, Georgetown, and surrounding areas. For more information, call us at (905) 824-2557.
Our Service Areas
At GJ MacRae, we take pride in extending our services across the GTA to meet our valued customers’ unique needs, and our dedicated team is committed to delivering top-notch solutions all year long. Our expansive service areas are a testament to our unwavering commitment to the highest quality foundation repair services and customer satisfaction in the GTA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Moving water away from the foundation reduces moisture penetration and protects structural integrity.
Most residential dry wells and catch basins can be installed in a single day.
Yes. Dry wells are ideal for sump pumps and are commonly required for active discharge systems.
A catch basin is recommended when surface water is pooling. It collects the water and directs it into the drainage system.
Many municipalities across the GTA strongly encourage or require proper stormwater systems, especially for new builds and homes with sump pumps.
Book a Free Assessment
If your property has poor drainage or if you want to follow the latest stormwater guidelines in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, or nearby communities, GJ MacRae can help.
Contact us today for a free on site assessment and a detailed quote for dry well installation or catch basin installation.



