Plumbing tips for Toronto homes

Short, practical answers for the things that come up in Toronto houses and condos, especially once the weather turns cold.

• What to do when a pipe starts leakingA calm sequence for the first few minutes: control water if safe, protect people and describe the problem clearly.
• Where is the main water shutoff in a Toronto house or condo?In most Toronto houses the main shutoff is in the basement where the water pipe comes through the front wall, next to the meter. Condos are different.
• Frozen pipes: what to do and what not to doNo water from one tap on a cold morning usually means a frozen pipe. Open the tap, warm the pipe slowly, and never use an open flame.
• How to shut off an outdoor tap for winter in TorontoClose the inside valve, open the outside tap, let it drain and leave it open. Do it before the first hard frost, usually by early November in Toronto.
• One slow drain or a sewer backup?Where water backs up and how many fixtures are affected can help identify the scope of a drainage problem.
• Is your water heater a rental? Check before you callMany Ontario homes rent their water heater. Look for the rental company's sticker on the tank first: it changes who repairs it and who can replace it.