Plumbing notes for Downsview plumbing services
| Housing | 1950s bungalows and wartime houses |
|---|---|
| Supply pipe | Copper with galvanized branches |
| Drains and lateral | Clay laterals |
| Frequent calls | Floor drain backups |
Houses and pipes in Downsview
Small storey-and-a-half homes and brick bungalows from the 1940s and 1950s make up much of the older housing stock, joined by later infill and new townhouse blocks on the former base lands. In the older homes, expect:
- Galvanized supply lines, sometimes with copper patches added over the decades.
- Cast-iron drain stacks and clay sewer laterals.
- Small basements, often partly finished and converted into rental units.
- Laundry and water heater sharing a cramped utility corner.
Newer townhouses near the park have plastic drains and modern fixtures, so their calls tend toward water heaters, fixtures and shut-off valves rather than old pipe.
Common plumbing calls here
Sump pumps come up often. Many older Downsview homes had their pumps installed years ago, and a pump that has been cycling through every spring melt eventually wears out; sump pump replacement is a regular job here. Tank water heaters in basement units also see heavy use, and annual water heater flushing helps them last.
Plumber's tip: If your basement is rented, both households ought to know the main shut-off's location. A burst pipe in the unit downstairs can soak the whole house in minutes. We can tag the valve for you; call (365) 517-5705.
Drains, sewers and basements
Older clay laterals running to the street are prone to root entry and joint separation. Recurring floor drain backups in older Downsview houses usually lead back to the lateral. Low spots in the area can also see sewer surcharge in intense summer storms, which is why the City's basement flooding protection subsidy has been relevant to many owners here.
A Downsview basement checklist
- Pour water into the floor drain to keep its trap sealed.
- Lift the sump lid and test the pump with a pail of water.
- Check that downspouts discharge onto the lawn, not into the ground.
- Look for staining at the base of the water heater.
- Confirm the main shut-off turns and closes.
Getting a plumber to Downsview
We reach Downsview from Keele, Dufferin, Wilson and Sheppard. Street parking is usually straightforward on the older residential blocks. Call (365) 517-5705, describe the issue and whether there is a basement tenant, and we will arrange a time that works for everyone involved.
Directly east, Bathurst Manor has similar postwar homes and shares many of the same calls.
Renters and landlords
When a plumbing problem affects a rental unit, the landlord usually arranges the repair. We are happy to speak with both parties so the work order is clear about who approved what, and we leave a copy of the notes for the owner. Tenants should report slow drains and dripping taps early; small faults found in a rental basement are cheaper to fix than the water damage they cause later.
Your questions on this one
My Downsview sump runs constantly every spring. Why?
Snowmelt and spring rain lift the water table around the foundation. Constant cycling then is normal, but a pump that runs constantly in dry weather should be checked.
Can you work in a basement rental unit?
Yes. We coordinate access with the tenant and the owner, and note the arrangement on the work order.