What the plumbing looks like
Copper supply, ABS drains and a gas water heater in the basement are standard. Most homes are now thirty to forty years old, so we see second-generation fixtures failing and original shut-off valves that have not moved since the builder installed them.
Typical calls
- Pinhole leaks in copper, especially in the hot line
- Bathroom remodels with new valves and drains
- Water heater swaps and power-vent repairs
- Slow drains in upstairs bathrooms
- Outdoor taps cracked by frost
Pinholes and how we fix them
A North Richvale pinhole usually shows itself as a small blue-green crust on a copper elbow above the furnace. We shut the water, drain the line from the lowest tap, cut out the elbow and a short length on each side, clean the pipe ends to bright copper, and sweat or press in new fittings. Then we pressurise and wrap the joints in dry paper towel for a few minutes to make sure nothing weeps.
Related
See South Richvale, pipe leak repair and outdoor tap repair.
Quick checklist before we arrive
- Pencil the install date on the water heater and the sump pump
- Pull the pop-up stopper and clear the hair every couple of months
- Pour a pail into the sump pit before the thaw and watch it cycle
- Close the inside valve for the hose bib before the first frost
Local note: York Region tap water is fairly hard, so scale builds up early in tank heaters, faucet cartridges and shower valves in North Richvale.
Your questions, answered plainly
Do you work on townhouses?
Yes, both freehold and condo townhouses.