Toronto Homes and Old Plumbing Systems

30 January, 2013

Question

I live in an older neighborhood downtown. My uncle came to visit recently and told me I should replace my entire plumbing system. He told me many people in my area are doing this. Is an entire replacement really necessary?

Asked by Priyansh

Here's What We Said

If this were a home in Mississauga, Vaughan, or Markham, we would probably not suggest upgrading your entire plumbing system, nor would you be having these thoughts. However, Toronto is indeed a city full of history. Many homes, particularly those near the downtown area, date back to the first half of the 20th century.

One of the biggest problems that you can have is the presence of steel piping, common in homes built before the 60's. This is not the only plumbing system that can cause you problems, but if your home uses this type of piping, you may find that plumbing repairs constitute a significant portion of your yearly budget. Partial repairs may help you in the short term, but in the long term, you will regret not taking strong measures to save money. In the worst case scenario, a burst pipe may cause great physical and financial damage.

Our recommendation would be to call in a plumber to evaluate your home plumbing system. Our very own Toronto plumbing technicians provide free consultations and estimates. A complete plumbing system replacement is one of the larger services that we provide. It often requires the opening of walls and floors, and it is thus better to couple these projects with larger renovation projects.

A typical plumbing system upgrade involves many different components, including, but not limited to:

• Removal and reinstallation of waste vent stacks
• Re-installation of branch drains
• Installation of new water supply lines
• Re-installation of fixture piping
• Installation of Vent pipes
• Installation of Drainage pipes
• Faucet repair
• Installation of shut-off valves
• Shower and tub faucet installation

We offer great rates and package deals that will suit your project needs. These deals can be used in any city that we cover, including Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Brampton, and more.

Still not sure? Watch out for the common symptoms of an old plumbing system that needs an upgrade:

• Brown rusting spots in your sinks, toilets, and bathtubs may indicate excessive corrosion in your pipes.
• Low water pressure and slow draining are also indicative of minerals and deposits clogging your drains. This is the most common reason why homeowners decide to upgrade their plumbing system.
• Frequent clogging and backing up of toilets.
• Frequent leaks and pipe replacements.