
Kaidan Kaidan
3 months ago

Parkdale, west of Liberty Village along Queen Street West, has some of Toronto's grandest Victorian houses, many of them divided into apartments or rooming houses, along with mid-century apartment towers and busy main-street businesses. For many properties here, the plumbing serves far more people than it was designed for.
POM Plumbing works with Parkdale landlords, property managers, tenants and businesses on repairs, upgrades and emergency calls.
Converted Victorians often run several kitchens and bathrooms off original drains and water services, which leads to low pressure, slow drains and frequent clogs. Lead and galvanized pipes are still common. Mid-century apartment buildings need riser valve replacement, domestic hot water system service and regular drain stack cleaning.
Several units on one old drain and water service.
Narrow galvanized lines cannot keep up with demand.
Seized valves and aging risers make repairs disruptive.
Shared heaters are undersized for the number of units.
Parkdale's large Victorian houses, many divided into apartments, and its walk-up and high-rise rentals need plumbing that keeps up. These are the jobs we do most there.
Victorian houses split into several apartments need drains, water heaters and shut-offs sized for multiple households.
Learn moreHomes built before the 1950s often have lead or galvanized services. We replace the private section.
Learn moreLaterals 70 to 100 years old fill with roots. We camera, cut and reline or replace them.
Learn moreWe repair and replace cracked cast iron stacks in older houses and walk-ups.
Learn moreA rented basement needs protection from sewer backups. We install valves with the permit for the City subsidy.
Learn moreWe service walk-ups and towers near the lake, including riser valves and stack cleaning.
Learn moreRestaurants and shops on Queen Street West need grease lines cleaned and backflow tested.
Learn moreResidential, condo and commercial plumbing, drain and sewer work for Parkdale homes and businesses.
Typical ranges before tax. You get an exact written price before any work starts. See the full plumbing price guide.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Drain clog (sink, tub or toilet) | $180 – $350 |
| Main sewer line cleaning | $250 – $650 |
| Sewer camera inspection | $250 – $450 |
| Water heater replacement (tank) | $1,400 – $3,000 |
| Backwater valve installation | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Sump pump replacement | $800 – $2,000 |
What to check through the year, based on the homes and weather we see in Parkdale.
Check basement floor drains and the backwater valve before spring rain.
Storm season: make sure tenants know where the backwater valve is and not to block it.
Root cutting for laterals under street trees.
Pipes in old exterior walls and porches freeze first. Keep heat on in empty units.
Parkdale homeowners can use the City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program. It reimburses 80% of eligible costs, up to $6,650 per property. The work must be done by a City-licensed plumbing contractor, and a backwater valve needs a building permit.
Homes built before the mid-1950s may still have a lead water service. Under the City's Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program, the City replaces the public section up to the property line. Replacing your private section at the same time removes the lead completely. See lead pipe replacement.
| Eligible work | Maximum subsidy |
|---|---|
| Backwater valve (per valve, up to two) | $1,600 |
| Sump pump and alarm | $2,250 |
| Sump pump battery backup | $300 |
| Home plumbing assessment | $500 |
| Total per property | $6,650 |
80% of eligible costs, up to the limits shown. We handle the permit and inspection, and give you the paperwork you need to apply.
| Problem | Who to call |
|---|---|
| No water on the whole street, or a water main break | City of Toronto: call 311 |
| Water service or sewer pipe between the property line and the main | City of Toronto (public side) |
| Sewer backup that a camera shows is in the City section | City of Toronto: we give you the video for your 311 report |
| Pipes, drains and the sewer lateral from the property line into the house | Homeowner: call a licensed plumber |
| Fixtures, water heater, sump pump, backwater valve | Homeowner: call a licensed plumber |
Not sure which side the problem is on? A sewer camera inspection shows the exact location and depth, so you only pay for work on your section.
Parkdale has many Victorian houses converted into three or more apartments, plus walk-ups and high-rise rentals. Plumbing in these buildings works harder: more fixtures on the same drains, a water heater shared by several units, and old shut-off valves that do not close fully. We handle no-hot-water calls, backups and leaks quickly, keep written records for each job and help plan upgrades so problems do not repeat.
Most Parkdale houses were built between the 1880s and the 1920s. Expect a lead or galvanized water service, cast iron stacks and a clay lateral that is 70 to 100 years old. If you are buying or renovating, a camera inspection of the lateral and a check of the water service are worth doing first.
A few minutes of the right action can save thousands in water damage.
In a house, the main valve is usually on the basement wall facing the street, next to the water meter. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
Keep away from water near outlets and appliances. If you can reach the electrical panel safely, switch off power to the wet area. If the water heater is leaking, turn its gas valve to pilot or switch off its breaker.
If a floor drain is backing up, stop using water in the house. Move valuables, rugs and boxes off the floor and open cabinet doors under leaking sinks.
Take photos and video for your insurer, then call (905) 625-8777. Our emergency line is answered 24/7 and we tell you when to expect us.
We cover every part of Parkdale. Here is how the area breaks down by neighbourhood and postal code.
| Area | Neighbourhoods | Postal codes |
|---|---|---|
| Parkdale | Queen West to the lake, Dufferin to Roncesvalles | M6K, M6R |
| South Parkdale | Lakefront apartment area | M6K |
Tell us what is happening and where in Parkdale you are.
A licensed plumber finds the cause, using a camera where needed.
You approve the price before any work starts.
We fix the problem, test it and leave the area clean.
Licensed plumbers, written prices and a 24/7 emergency line.