Plumber in O'Connor-Parkview

Housing stock and plumbing in O'Connor-Parkview

Most homes here were built from the 1940s through the 1950s, a period when copper water lines were starting to replace galvanized steel, and cast iron or clay was still the norm for drains. Lots are wider than downtown, many with yards, side drives and detached garages. Plenty of houses have been extended upward or backward, and many basements now hold a family room or a second suite.

Common problems we see here

Homes of this age tend to be simple and well built, but they are now more than 70 years old. Calls we see often include:

• Outdoor taps splitting in winter because the inside valve was left open
• Clay laterals with roots from large yard trees
• Original galvanized lines remaining in older sections
• Basement drains backing up after heavy rain

Bigger yards mean more garden hoses and more taps at the side and back of the house. Our frost-free outdoor tap installation replaces old bibs with ones that keep their valve inside the warm wall.

Basement flooding and sewer laterals

Postwar homes often had foundation weeping tiles connected directly to the sanitary or combined sewer. During heavy storms, that can contribute to backups. A sump pit and pump, along with a backwater valve and disconnected downspouts, reduce that risk. The City of Toronto's flood protection subsidy may cover part of the cost for eligible work, so check the current program before you begin.

Water lines, lead and older pipes

Lead service lines were still installed in Toronto into the 1950s, so some homes here may have them. Look at the pipe entering the house near the water meter. Copper is the most common original material in this area, though some houses have galvanized sections that are now due for replacement.

Streets and landmarks we cover

We work across O'Connor-Parkview, from O'Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue East to the streets near Taylor Creek Park and the Parkview Hills area. Homes in East Danforth and Upper Beaches are also nearby.

Adding a basement suite

Larger lots and solid postwar construction make this area a common choice for basement apartments. A suite needs its own bathroom, kitchen drain and often a laundry connection, all of which tie into a lateral that was sized for a single family. Checking that lateral and the water service before construction helps avoid problems once tenants move in. It is also the right time to add a backwater valve, since the basement floor will already be open for the new drains.

Ravine-side lots near Taylor Creek can also have steep grades, so we look at how surface water moves around the foundation when we assess a damp basement.

Common questions