Plumbing Service in Parkdale

Parkdale: the housing stock and its plumbing

Parkdale was its own village before it joined Toronto in 1889, and many of its large brick and stone houses date from that era. Over the twentieth century, a great number of them were divided into flats, rooming houses and bachelor units. Apartment blocks from the 1950s and 60s went up along the southern streets near the lake.

In a divided house, plumbing has been added in layers. One original stack may serve four kitchens; a water service sized for a single family now feeds six bathrooms. Older homes in the area can still have lead service pipe, and galvanized steel lines are common inside.

Trouble we run into most often

• Poor water pressure once several units use water at the same time.
• Main drain backups that affect every unit at once.
• Undersized hot water when one tank feeds several apartments.
• Leaks between floors from aging tub and shower connections.

Water services in older houses

Many Parkdale homes would benefit from a new, larger water service. Replacing the line removes lead from the private side and, with an upsized pipe, restores pressure to upper units. Coordinating with the City's work on the public side is part of the job, so ask 311 about current programs before starting.

Below the floor: drains, sewers and wet basements

Mature street trees and clay laterals make root blockages common. In a multi-unit house, one blockage can send sewage up the basement drain while upstairs tenants keep showering, unaware. When a backup happens, ask everyone in the building to stop using water until the line is cleared.

Disconnecting downspouts, maintaining lot grading and installing a backwater valve all reduce flooding risk. Our note on downspout disconnection explains the City's rules.

Hot water for several units

One tank shared by four apartments rarely keeps everybody happy. Separate heaters per unit, a larger commercial-style tank, or a tankless system can each work, depending on venting and gas supply. Rental agreements on existing equipment also need checking before anything changes.

What happens when you ring us

Landlords, property managers and owner-occupants call with a description of the issue and the layout of the house. We ask which units are affected and how to access the basement and mechanical space. On site we isolate the problem, explain it in plain terms, and recommend repairs with an eye to how the house is actually used today.

Tenants who need help should contact their landlord, who is usually responsible for arranging repairs. We are glad to explain what we find to everyone involved.

We also serve Roncesvalles, Liberty Village and High Park.