Plumber in Roncesvalles

Housing stock and plumbing in Roncesvalles

Most houses here date from around 1900 to the 1920s. They are generously sized brick semis and detached homes with full basements, many now with basement units. Plumbing has been updated piecemeal over a century.

On the tools in Roncesvalles

These larger houses often have two or three bathrooms added over the decades, each tied into the stack in a different way. We trace the vent lines in the attic and the drains in the basement before deciding where to clear a blockage. Clay laterals running toward the lake-side streets often have a belly where water sits, which we find on camera and mark from the surface. On old gas water heaters in basement corners we check the flue connection into the chimney, the relief valve line and the shut-off, because those are the parts that usually fail first when the tank is replaced.

Common problems we see here

• Tree roots in clay laterals
• Old galvanized lines limiting pressure
• Cracked cast iron in basement drains
• Water heaters past their life in basement corners
• Frozen hose bibs and pipes in exterior walls

Basement flooding and sewer laterals

Big street trees and clay laterals mean roots and backups. Some streets slope toward the lake, and drainage around houses matters. Sewer replacement or lining is often the long-term fix.

Water lines, lead and older pipes

Lead services were standard when these houses were built. Many have been replaced, but not all. We check the line at the meter on every visit if you ask.

Streets and landmarks we cover

We cover Roncesvalles Avenue and the side streets from Queen to Dundas West, including Fern, Galley, Grenadier, Garden, Geoffrey and Sorauren Park.

Common questions