Plumbing in Stonegate-Queensway

Plumbing profile

Housing

Interwar and post-war homes, newer townhouses

Services

Some lead or galvanized

Drains

Cast iron and clay

Landmarks

Humber River, Queensway shops, Park Lawn Road

Lead and galvanized services

Older homes here may still have lead or galvanized water service pipes. Replacing them improves pressure and removes a source of lead. We check the pipe at the meter and explain next steps.

• Coordinate with the city about its side of the service.

Old drains, new uses

Basements that once held only a furnace and a laundry tub now have bathrooms and kitchens. Older laterals are under more load. We camera the line before major renovations so you know what you are building over.

• A backwater valve makes sense in many of these basements.

Near the river

Being close to the Humber, some streets have higher groundwater and steeper grades. Sump pumps and good grading keep water out. We check discharge routes so water does not cycle back.

• Spring is the time to test pumps.

Newer townhomes

Along the Queensway, newer townhouses and stacked units bring modern plumbing but also modern problems: shared stacks, small mechanical closets with tankless heaters, and condo corporation rules. Tankless units need regular descaling in our water, and access to service valves can be tight. We plan maintenance around those constraints.

• Ask your corporation which parts of the plumbing are your responsibility.

Planning a basement suite

Converting a basement into a second suite is common here.

• The plumbing needs proper drains, venting and a water heater strategy.
• Older laterals may not handle the added load; a camera inspection before construction tells you.
• A backwater valve is strongly recommended.

Calls we often get here

• Soft grey pipe at the meter
• Basement renovation planned
• Water at the floor drain in storms
• Sump pump running often
• Weak pressure at upper floors