Plumbing notes for Thornhill plumbing services
| Housing | 1970s to 1990s subdivisions |
|---|---|
| Supply pipe | Copper and PEX |
| Drains and lateral | ABS and PVC |
| Frequent calls | Sump pumps and water heaters |
Houses and pipes in Thornhill
Thornhill is two places in one. The old village core around Yonge Street has some of the area's oldest houses, a few going back well over a century. Around it spread the postwar and later subdivisions: 1960s and 1970s back-splits and two-storeys, followed by newer builds further out. Yonge Street divides Thornhill between the City of Vaughan on the west and the City of Markham on the east.
In the subdivisions, plumbing is similar to North York houses of the same age: copper water lines, drains in cast iron or ABS, and sewer laterals that may be clay, cast iron or plastic. In the old village, anything is possible, including lead services, galvanized lines and drains that have been altered many times.
Common plumbing calls here
- Water softener installs and service. See water softener installation.
- Swapping toilets and faucets during bathroom updates.
- Sump pump checks in houses near the East Don valley lands.
- Water heater replacements, including households leaving a rental contract.
Drains, sewers and basements
The East Don River runs through Thornhill, and some streets slope toward it. Low lots and lots near the valley can see groundwater pressure in spring. A sump that runs often in April deserves a test before the melt; our sump pump testing leaflet walks through it.
Older subdivision homes may have foundation drains tied into the sewer and downspouts that empty against the wall. The same steps that protect a North York basement apply here, laid out on our basement flood prevention page.
Plumber's tip: Thornhill is in York Region. Plumbing permits come from the City of Vaughan or the City of Markham, depending on which side of Yonge you are on, not from Toronto. Any Toronto subsidy programs do not apply here; check with your own city.
Getting a plumber to Thornhill
Call (365) 517-5705. Tell us which side of Yonge you are on, so we know which municipality's rules apply if a permit is involved, and roughly when the house was built.
For jobs that need a permit, such as a new drain line, backwater valve or basement bathroom, we note on the order which building department it goes to and who will apply. Inspections are booked with that municipality. For simple repairs and fixture swaps, a permit is usually not needed, but if in doubt, ask.
The work order covers what we did, the parts used and anything worth planning for. In the older village houses, that may include a note about the water service, since that is the part of the system most likely to be original.
From Thornhill, we also serve Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and North York neighbours such as Newtonbrook and Westminster-Branson.
Your questions on this one
Do you need a Toronto permit for work in Thornhill?
No. Thornhill is in Vaughan or Markham, so permits come from that city's building department.
Is Thornhill water hard?
Much of southern York Region gets Lake Ontario water, which is moderately hard, though some areas have had other sources. Check with your municipality, or have us test it.