Plumbing notes for Hillcrest Village plumbing services
| Housing | 1960s and 1970s split-levels |
|---|---|
| Supply pipe | Copper |
| Drains and lateral | Cast iron and clay |
| Frequent calls | Shower valves and laterals |
Houses and pipes in Hillcrest Village
Much of the area was built over a fairly short span, so plumbing tends to be consistent from house to house:
- Two-storey detached homes and back-splits with full basements.
- Copper supply piping, now approaching or past fifty years of service.
- Cast-iron main stacks with copper or early plastic branch drains.
- Original bathrooms in many homes that have never been fully renovated.
Compared with older North York neighbourhoods, galvanized supply is less common here. That does not mean the water service is new, though. Some homes of this era still have older service lines, and owners should know what material runs from the street to the meter.
Common plumbing calls here
Questions about the water service often come up during renovations or home sales, and lead water service replacement explains how to check it and what replacement involves. Original bathrooms coming up for updates make bathroom renovation plumbing a frequent entry on our pad here.
Plumber's tip: Check the pipe where your water service enters the basement, just before the meter. Copper looks reddish-brown; lead is soft and dull grey, and gives a thud rather than a ring. Unsure? Send a photo or call (365) 517-5705.
Drains, sewers and basements
Most Hillcrest Village basements are finished by now, which makes drain backups more costly. Mature trees from the original landscaping are big enough to send roots into older laterals. A camera inspection gives a clear view of the line before a basement renovation or after a backup.
A first-winter checklist for new owners
- Find the main shut-off and test it.
- Turn off and drain the outdoor faucets in fall.
- Check for pipes running along exterior walls in the garage or crawl spaces.
- Look at the water heater rating plate for its age.
- Pour water into floor drains that rarely see use.
Cold snaps reach far down the crescents here, and the leaflet on how to prevent frozen pipes covers the details.
Getting a plumber to Hillcrest Village
We reach the area via Leslie Street, Steeles Avenue and Highway 404. Driveway parking is usually available. Call (365) 517-5705 with what you see and when it started, and we will set a visit at a time you pick.
To the south, St. Andrew-Windfields has larger homes with many of the same questions about aging copper and bathrooms.
When a house changes hands
Buyers often ask for a plumbing look before closing or right after. We note the water service material, the stack condition, the heater's age and the shut-off's operation, so new owners have a starting list. Nothing on that list is presented as urgent unless it truly is; most items are simply things to set money aside for in coming years, written down so they are not forgotten once the boxes are unpacked.
Your questions on this one
Are Hillcrest Village homes likely to have lead pipes?
Lead was used for water services in older Toronto housing; homes from the late 1960s onward are less likely to have it. Checking where the service enters the house settles the question.
Is our original 1970s copper still safe?
Copper of that age is often still serviceable. Pinhole leaks, green staining at joints and low pressure are signs to have it looked at.