Plumbing notes for Don Valley Village plumbing services
| Housing | 1960s and 1970s houses and towers |
|---|---|
| Supply pipe | Copper |
| Drains and lateral | Cast iron and ABS |
| Frequent calls | Kitchen drains and shut-offs |
Houses and pipes in Don Valley Village
The area filled in mainly during the 1960s and 1970s. Detached homes and back-splits sit on quiet crescents, townhouse complexes line some of the inner streets, and apartment towers rise near Sheppard and the Fairview Mall area. The East Don parkland borders the west side.
Houses from that era usually carry copper water lines, drains of cast iron or ABS, and clay or plastic laterals. Copper of this age can develop pinhole leaks, especially near fittings or where the water velocity is high. Original shut-off valves are often gate valves that seize or leak at the stem when turned.
Common plumbing calls here
- Pinhole leaks and stained ceilings under bathrooms.
- Shower temperature swings from original two-handle valves. See shower valve replacement.
- Water heater and softener installs.
- Drain clogs in townhouse units that share lines.
When a house has had several pinhole leaks in a short time, patching each one gets expensive and disruptive. That is when repiping the worst runs, or the whole house, starts to make sense. We tell you honestly which camp you are in.
Drains, sewers and basements
Back-splits set the bottom level half underground, often with a laundry and a bathroom. Those lower floors depend on the main drain staying clear. If a toilet bubbles when the washer drains, or water appears at the floor drain during a big load, the main may be partly blocked. A main sewer line clearing and a camera look usually settle it.
Townhouse complexes run under condominium rules. Laterals and sometimes drain stacks are common elements. If the backup comes from a shared line, we document it for your property manager.
Plumber's tip: Find your main shut-off ahead of time and turn it once each year. In a 1960s house it may be a gate valve behind a panel or in the furnace room. Our shut-off leaflet shows where to look.
Getting a plumber to Don Valley Village
Call (365) 517-5705. For a leak, shut the main first if you can, then call. For a townhouse or condo, let us know the complex name, the unit, and whether management needs to be told before we start.
The 404 and Sheppard make the area an easy drive from most of North York. Visitor parking in townhouse complexes can be limited; tell us where we can park the van.
Each visit is written up on a work order. For houses of this age, we often add a note about the condition of the visible copper, how old the water heater is and if the main shut-off turned freely. Those three lines tell you what is likely to need money next.
We also cover nearby Hillcrest Village, Henry Farm and Parkwoods.
Your questions on this one
Why do I keep getting pinhole leaks?
Copper of this age can thin from the inside, especially near fittings. Water chemistry and velocity both play a part. Several leaks in a short time is a sign to consider repiping.
Can you work in my townhouse complex?
Yes. We work inside your unit and coordinate with management on anything that involves shared lines or a building shut-off.