Asked at the basement stairs
How do I arrange a visit?
Telephone (365) 816-2905. There is no web form; a few minutes on the line tells us enough to send the right person with the right parts.
Do you take emergency calls?
Yes. A burst line, sewage backing up, a fixture overflowing or the house losing its water supply all go to the front of the queue.
Will I know the price before you begin?
Yes. We inspect, talk you through the choices and settle the work with you before anything is cut or dismantled.
How do I find the main shut-off valve?
Look on the basement wall closest to the street, near the water meter where the supply pipe comes through the foundation. In a condo suite, check beside the water heater, inside an access panel or below the kitchen sink.
My basement floor drain smells. Why?
Most often the water seal in its trap has evaporated. Tip a litre of water down it to restore the seal. A smell that lingers after that suggests the drain wants cleaning or a camera look.
Should I use chemical drain openers?
We would rather you did not. They can eat at older metal pipe, and they make the drain hazardous for whoever opens it next. A cable or water jet does the job more safely.
What does a backwater valve do?
It is a flap fitted in the main drain line. When the city sewer surcharges in a storm, the flap shuts so that sewage cannot push back up into your basement.
Is any money available for flood protection?
Toronto has for some years run a subsidy programme that helps with backwater valves, sump pumps and disconnecting downspout-style foundation drains. Programme rules change, so confirm the details with the City before booking any work.
How many years will a water heater give me?
A tank heater typically gives a decade or a little more, with hard water shortening that and regular flushing extending it. Rust at the fittings, dampness under the tank and loud rumbling are warning signs.
Is it better to rent or own a water heater?
That depends on your finances and how long you plan to stay. Read any rental agreement closely, particularly the buyout and removal clauses, and set the total rent against the price of owning one outright.
Could my house have lead plumbing?
Toronto houses from before roughly 1955 sometimes still have a lead supply pipe. Lead looks dull grey and a coin scratched across it leaves a bright mark. We can check yours during any visit.
Will my plumbing work need a permit?
Adding fixtures, altering drains and installing a backwater valve generally do in Toronto. Swapping a worn part for an identical one generally does not. We confirm which category your job falls in.
How can I keep pipes from freezing?
Keep the furnace running, wrap pipes that run along outside walls, close and drain the outdoor hose taps each autumn, and leave sink cupboard doors open during a deep freeze.
Do you work in condominiums?
Yes. We follow the building's rules, liaise with the property manager where a shared riser or valve is involved, and keep the work clean in a lived-in suite.
Where do you travel?
Every part of Etobicoke and the communities just over its borders. The neighbourhoods page has the full list.
